Ferrets Make Wonderful Pets, But Before You Fall in Love With One, Here Are a Few Things To Consider

Ferrets are playful, active, curious and loving. They make wonderful pets, but before you fall in love with one at a pet store or rush off to get one after talking to a delighted ferret owner, there are a few things that you must consider.

Time
Ferrets make excellent pets for people who have the time for them, and who bond well with animals. Ferrets are naturally quiet, friendly, inquisitive, intelligent, and companionable. At certain points in the day, they are also exceedingly active and capable of getting themselves into trouble unless they are supervised. Their intelligence makes them interesting companions, and they are able to amuse themselves when you are not around. But they do require attention and interaction with their owners; their mental and physical health depends on it.

Legalities
City, county, state, or military regulations can all dictate whether or not it is legal for you to own, breed, or sell a ferret where you live. The regulations can be quite involved. California, for example, allows only neutered males to be kept; and in Carson City, Nevada, it is illegal to own a ferret if you have a small child in your household. To determine the regulations in your area, check with your local Wildlife or Fish and Game department, with the Humane Society, or with your local veterinarian. These organizations should also be able to advise you on license and permit requirements. Depending on where you live, you may need a license or permit for your ferret. The costs for this can range from free to $15 or more.

Costs
The purchase price of a ferret can vary widely, ranging from $65 to more than $250. But the cost of buying the animal is only part of your initial cost. In addition to the purchase price, you can expect to pay another $150 to $350 for vaccinations (including rabies), veterinary examinations, and basic supplies. You will also need to budget for spaying or neutering your new pet, so check with your veterinarian for costs before making your purchase decision. You may wish to consider purchasing an older, already altered animal in lieu of a young kit.

Once you bring your new ferret home, you will need to budget for renewals of vaccinations, routine veterinary care, and applicable licenses. Your ferret will, of course, need food, plus you will need to regularly buy litter, deodorizing cleaners, over-the-counter medicines including hairball remedies, and vitamin supplements, shampoos, collars and leads, etc.

Compatibility
Many prospective ferret owners are naturally concerned about how well a ferret would get along with their children or other pets. A ferret is a demanding pet for a child, requiring careful adult supervision and the maturity of the child. The child must be able to recognize that a ferret behaves differently from a dog, cat, or other pet. The child must also be old enough to handle the responsibility of caring for the ferret. Ferrets are not recommended for a household with children younger than 6 or 7 years, and especially close supervision would be required around infants or babies.

Because they are natural hunters, ferrets usually can't be trained to get along with birds, fish, rabbits, rodents, or lizards. If you have these animals in your home, you will need to provide vigilant supervision at all times. But ferrets can generally be trained to get along with cats and dogs. Note, however, that terriers and similar dogs were originally bred to hunt.

If you have a dog or cat, you will want to introduce them to your ferret gradually, and vice versa. You will need two people, one to hold the cat or dog and one to hold the ferret. Allow your pets to smell each other while providing encouragement and reassurance-your cat or dog will be bewildered and anxious as well, so be certain to provide them with extra attention. Let the animals' behavior guide you. As they seem to accept each other, you can gradually allow them to interact freely under close supervision. Make certain, however, that the ferret has an escape route available. And no matter how well your pets seem to get along, you will want to be sure to continue to provide supervision when they are together. Feed them separately and be certain that you don't allow your ferret to play with your other animal's toys.

Aggressiveness
Ferrets must be taught not to nip or bite, much the same way that kittens and puppies are taught what behavior is appropriate. A domestically bred ferret will usually not be vicious or aggressive, but it is in its nature to enjoy games that simulate hunting, tug-of-war, chasing, or mock combat. A young ferret will not understand what hurts you and what doesn't hurt you until you communicate the boundaries. It will be up to you to establish those boundaries appropriately, without hurting your ferret or teaching it to fear or mistrust you.

Some ferrets do respond to fear, pain, or to certain noises or actions by biting. The key to altering that behavior is to understand and eliminate the underlying reason. If it is a noise, eliminate the source of the noise. If it is some action on your part, try to assess your behavior from your ferret's point of view. Your ferret isn't doing it to be mean or with the intent to harm you.

What Age to Get
Because ferrets retain a lot of wild tendencies, they require affection, care, and understanding. Without the necessary time, patience, or knowledge of a ferret's needs, unfortunately some people do get into trouble with discipline. As a result, ferrets are neglected or even abused, and then given away or resold. Most of the older ferrets that you encounter when searching for your new pet will not fall into this category. If you are not able to devote the added time and energy required for raising a kit, adopting or rescuing an older animal may be the perfect solution. Just be careful to understand why it is being given away or how it came to be abandoned, and be doubly certain that you will be able to give it a good environment.

If you wish to get a kit, for most people, the ideal age kit will be between eight to sixteen weeks, although they are often sold as little as six weeks old. A kit less than eight weeks is not really old enough to leave its mother and siblings, and it is best to wait until they are 12 weeks old. A kit, while requiring more time, training, and patience than a mature ferret, will reward you with added playfulness and adaptability; and you will have the joy of watching it grow.

How Many Ferrets
Depending on the companionship, time, and home environment that you can provide, your ferret may be happier having you to itself. Alternatively, you may wish to have other ferrets to provide companionship when you can't. Ferrets are playful, so they like to have interaction and lots to do. There are some people who point out that the ferret's wild relatives are solitary animals. On the other hand, many ferret owners observe how delightfully ferrets will play together. The choice of how many ferrets you will have is up to you; however, if you wish to have more than one ferret it usually works best if you obtain them both when they are young and then introduce them gradually, as described above for introducing a cat or dog.

Male or Female
Jills (female ferrets) and hobs (male ferrets) each have their advantages, most of which have to do with the reproductive cycle. If you wish to breed your ferret, then you will need to do more research. If you do not intend to breed ferrets, then it is kinder to spay or neuter your pet. An unaltered, unmated jill will remain in "heat" for six months out of each year, and that will involve changes in her behavior as well as her physical characteristics. In addition, the hormones involved can increase the risk of leukemia and stress-related illnesses. An unaltered male can become aggressive to other males during breeding season, and you should be aware of this tendency if you intend to keep more than one ferret at a time. Another argument in favor of neutering is the issue of scent.

Buying a Healthy Ferret
While the color, age, or gender of a ferret may not matter in the long run, the health of your new pet matters very much. As you pick out your new ferret, you need to be sure that it is in the best of health. The key to judging a healthy ferret is in its behavior and general appearance.

A healthy ferret should be playful, alert, and curious. Its eyes should be bright, its ears should be erect, and its movements should be smooth and supple. There should be no discharge from its ears, nose, mouth, eyes, anus, or sexual openings, and its ears, mouth, and pads should be pink and clean.

Scented or Descented
Healthy ferrets naturally have only a slight musky odor that comes from a gland under the skin. But they also have a scent sac near the anus, and some of the scent is passed in the feces to help the animals mark their territory. Males also have stronger-scented urine. Descenting your ferret, removing the scent sac, will not help the natural musky healthy odor and it can lead to a host of medical problems. Neutered ferrets will rarely release their scent unless they are extremely agitated or frightened. Even then the scent dissipates quickly and can be treated with special solvents or left to evaporate on its own. Keeping your litterboxes scrupulously clean can also control any unwanted odor.

Litter Training
Unlike cats, ferrets don't naturally prefer to use a litterbox. But they can be trained. Start a ferret using a corner box inside its cage or in a very small area, and then gradually allow more freedom as it continues to use the box. You may need to keep a small amount of dirty litter in the pan for a little while to help your pet understand the box's purpose, and you can discourage the ferret from using other corners of the room or enclosure by covering them with bedding or food bowls. Use lots of positive reinforcement-verbal praise and petting along with treats. Prepare to be patient, to regress now and then, to clean up mistakes very carefully using an enzyme or bacterial-based odor remover, and to be vigilant until your pet gets the hang of it.

Ferret-Proofing Your Home
In addition to litter training, you will want to take some additional precautions for your ferret's safety and for the safety of your home and possessions. Because of their curiosity and energy as well as their physiology, ferrets can-and do-squeeze into very small spaces. Depending on the size of your ferret (hobs are about twice as big as jills), you will want to be certain to block all holes over 1/2" x 1". Be particularly cautious around kitchen appliances, cabinets, and heating and ventilation ducts. Protect electrical cords and outlets. Block doorways with specially designed safety gates, or with wood or Plexiglas pieces slotted into the doorframe. And be extra certain to watch your feet-and ask any guests to your home to watch their feet. Ferrets are prone to playing literally underfoot.

Furniture is another area of concern. Ferrets like to nest, so be wary of allowing them near couches, sofas, beds, and sofa beds. Fasten heavy fabric or thin plywood across the bottoms of couches, sofas, etc. Avoid futons, which are difficult to safeguard. And be wary of springs or levers inside sofabeds or reclining chairs. Also, because ferrets love to nibble on floor fabrics, you may need to place a plastic carpet protector over any sections that your pet finds especially appetizing.

Be extra careful to safeguard the contents of drawers and cabinets to prevent your ferret from opening them, and to keep medicines, soaps, cleaners, etc. safely out of your ferret's reach. Close toilet lids to avoid drowning accidents, and supervise sinks, bathtubs, buckets, etc. any time that they are filled with water. Aquariums should also be covered.

Be wary of your ferret with houseplants. Many plants are dangerous, toxic, or deadly, and you should check every plant in your home for safety before allowing your ferret to run loose. To keep your ferret from chewing on your "safe" plants, you can try coating the leaves with Bitter Apple or a similar solution.

Like a cat, dog, or child, you will need to protect your ferret from suffocation hazards including plastic bags and drapery cords. But because of your ferret's small size, you will need to also consider items like the cardboard tubes that hold toilet paper, paper towels, or gift wrap. These may seem like inexpensive toys, but they can pose a danger to your pet.

Toys
Ferrets love to play, so be sure to provide lots of toys in lots of variety for them. The more that they have to do, the less mischief they will be inclined to find. (If you don't provide a toy, they'll find or make one!) And, you will delight in watching them at play. Most cat toys are great for ferrets, but ferrets are harder on them than a cat would be. They chew more vigorously, and foam or rubber or small parts can get lodged in their windpipes or cause intestinal blockage. Be sure to buy toys that are durable. Specially made ferret tunnels, hammocks, and swings are also great favorites and will provide hours of amusement.

Food
Your ferret needs plenty of fresh water and a diet high in fat and protein. While many ferret owners feed cat or kitten food, that is in large part because there are simply very few ferret foods available. Kaytee makes a good ferret food specially formulated for your pet's nutritional requirements, and we offer it through our Web site or mail-order catalog. In any case, avoid fish and fish-flavored cat food, which can create a litterbox odor problem, and do not feed your ferret dog food as that will fill your ferret up without providing some of the necessary nutrients.

Do not feed human snacks to your ferret, as many foods are toxic or indigestible. Avoid chocolate, caffeine, tobacco products, colas, coffee, tea, ice cream, milk, and onions. Ferrets do need variety, though, and they will do just about anything for a treat-including learning tricks such as sitting up, walking to heel, begging, and rolling over. You can reward your pet for desirable behaviors or just add variety to your ferret's diet with vegetables, fruits, and treats. Safe, specially formulated ferret treats are available through companies like Ferret Fiesta, in flavors ranging from carob raisin to peanut butter.




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Some Unusual Shelter Animals You May Not Have Known You Could Adopt

Although dogs and cats remain by far the most common pet to rescue and adopt, other kinds of animals do end up in shelters. From farm animals to small rodents and even reptiles, there are plenty of options if you’re looking to bring home a different kind of furry or scaly — friend.

While some of these animals end up in shelters because an owner moves away, plenty of them are abandoned by “impulse buyers” who change their mind after buying a needy breed of pig or chinchilla, experts say.

For that reason, Dana Puglisi of AdoptaPet.com, which has listings for more than a dozen species of shelter animals, said that it’s important to read up on animal needs if you’re interested in adopting an atypical pet.

“It’s very easy to look at an animal and say, ‘That’s such a cute animal, I want it to be a part of my life,” Puglisi tells NBC. “It’s another thing to take on the actual day-to-day responsibility for caring for that pet.” 

In addition, some states have restrictions on what kind of animal you can keep as a pet, so Puglisi said she also suggests checking local laws before reaching out to a shelter.

Below are some of the unusual shelter animals you may not have known you could adopt:

Cows
Holy cow, indeed! In areas with more farmland, shelters and sanctuaries like Animal Place in Grass Valley, Calif. may have cows that were rescued from factories. Be sure you have the space and resources to adopt a shelter cow, though, as they need at least 80 square feet of space and over 20 gallons of water a day.

Chinchillas
According to ChinchillaRescue.org, chinchillas are noisy and nocturnal, so it’s best to avoid keeping them in their new owner’s bedroom. Since rescue chinchillas are of unknown parentage and may not be neutered, owners should plan to keep them apart from opposite-sex chins in order to avoid accidental breeding.

Pigs
The right breed of pig can make for an adorable rescue animal — and a shelter is often the best way to find one. Puglisi said that more and more pig owners are abandoning their pets after being tricked into bringing home baby farm pigs that put on hundreds of pounds as they grow up. If you have the space, you can adopt one of these larger abandoned pigs, but shelters also have plenty of smaller breeds, like Vietnamese miniature pot-bellies.

Parrots
Parrots (as well as other tropical birds like parakeets) are often left behind at shelters when owners move away or become unable to keep caring for these sometimes needy birds. As with some other animals on this list, though, be sure to check local regulations if you choose to adopt — parrots aren’t allowed to be kept as pets in some states.

Goats
If there’s anything to learn from the recent goat yoga fitness craze, it’s that these farm animals can serve as fun, furry additions to the family. While regular-size goats can be found in some shelters, a few also have pint-sized pygmy goats up for adoption for anyone short on space. Who knows, they might even eat the weeds in your yard.

Horses
Equestrian lovers can adopt either full-size or miniature horses, like Smooshy, a dwarf miniature horse adopted by actress Kaley Cuoco of “The Big Bang Theory.” Mini-horses in particular are seeing a surge in shelters right now, Puglisi said, as “impulse buyers” purchase and then abandon the horses they use to emulate celebrity horse owners.

Snakes
From king snakes to corn snakes to Colombian boa constrictors, there’s plenty of shelter serpents snakes that you can adopt into your home. Most snakes are carnivores or omnivores, and they require a steady diet of other animals in order to be well-fed — so be prepared to keep “mousicles” inside your freezer.

Ferrets
These tail-wagging mammals make for active, friendly pets to adopt or even house temporarily through foster programs for older or sick ferrets. Watch your fingers, though — ferrets are also known for biting.

Bearded Dragons
They may not be quite like the Viking pets in “How to Train Your Dragon,” but shelter bearded dragons can let you support shelters while (sort of) living out a mythical animal fantasy. Sometimes known as “beardies,” these reptiles originated in central Australia and are often kept in zoos. They’re considered one of the easiest reptiles to care for, but still need a specific light pattern and large tank.

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Benefits of Having a Pet

A recent study showed that there are more pets than children in American households. Amazed? Statistics say that there has also been an increase in the number of Indian families opting for pets. Keeping pets at home has several benefits — and if you're among those who has always wanted to keep a pet, let us convince you to go ahead and get one home!

Pets can enhance your mood
Whether you believe it or not, pets are a great way to improve your mood and temperament. Research has shown that people who suffer from various diseases have lesser chances of depression if they keep pets as compared to those who are suffering from similar diseases and don't keep pets.

Help to control blood pressure
Health experts say that dog owners have less blood pressure and heart rates. This eventually reduces the need to take medicines and also helps reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels.

A source of exercise
Want someone who will accompany you for walks? Dogs can be great companions and will happily go out for walks, at times even urging you for a walk, when you're too tired, thereby keeping you active and fit. Other activities related to pets like feeding, bathing, playing and cleaning are also good ways to exercise.

An antidote for loneliness
No matter how low or lonely you keep, a pet will always be there for you. Whether you want to pour your heart out to them or tell them your secrets, you know it's all safe with them! Pets give you unconditional love and are always faithful.

Reduce stress
Stressed out? Pets are known to reduce stress and anxiety levels. Experts say that people can get relieve from stress and depression, if they spend time with their pets.

Long life
Several studies have revealed that people who tend to spend their time with pets are more likely to live longer than people who don't.

Better social skills
Want to improve your social skills? It is said that people who keep pets are said to be good in their social relations. Kids who grow up with pets at home are always respectful towards living things.

Safety
Having a dog at home is especially good because they also double up as caretakers. No burglar alarm can be better than a dog at home!

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Ferret Teeth and How To Care for Them

Ferrets teeth glisten and are bright white. Their teeth enable them to eat, to grab onto and hold or move objects, actually like another hand. Their hands are also a good indication of their age. Ferret owners should realize that their teeth are like those of humans and need proper care.

Baby ferrets are usually purchased with milk teeth. These milk teeth are replaced by the permanent canine teeth at about age 7-9 weeks of age. They also have incisor teeth on both the upper and lower jaw, most commonly you will see six of these incisors between the canines.

The ferret teeth grow from the tip down toward the root, which is why older ferrets appear to have larger teeth. Just like in humans, as the ferret gets older the gums will also start to recede, thus making the tooth again look larger than before.

Often owners will notice a chip or abrasion on a ferret’s canine tooth. Usually, this is not an alarming condition. Ferrets love to chew their wire cages and sometimes an overzealous tug on the wire, or a fall onto a wood or tile floor will cause a chip or fracture of the upper canine. If a fracture occurs usually this will not require special dental care unless the pulp is exposed. Vets and owners however, should monitor the tooth for any signs of abscess or infection.

Dental hygiene for ferrets is a necessary and a part of regular ferret care. Owners who regularly or occasionally enter their domestic ferrets in ferret shows realize that dental hygiene is taken into consideration by the show judges. Good health involves good dental hygiene. The majority of ferret owners do not realize that dental hygiene is very important for their ferrets overall health and well being. Some ferret owners are meticulous regarding the care and maintenance of their pets, while some do not realize the importance or the necessity of good dental care.

Ferrets, like other companion animals, benefit greatly from a dental care regimen. Most veterinarians recommend a twice monthly basic tooth brushing as a recommended basic oral hygiene care.

The reasons for a dental care regimen are varied. Basically, bacteria can enter the animal’s system through inflamed gums, which are caused by plaque buildup (commonly identified as periodontal disease). Periodontal disease can be a cause of several conditions in the ferret including: tooth root abscesses, endocarditis or periocarditis (heart disease), and low-grade chronic infections which can lead to: weight loss, susceptibility to infections in general, and lethargy.

Some ferret owners will opt for a few minutes to care for their pet’s teeth when weighing the odds against illness and infection. Other health conditions which could be related to gum infections and poor teeth are enlarged spleens or splenomegaly. As the infection gets worst, the spleen enlarges, and can cause an enlarged mid section and lethargy.

The items you will need to care for your ferret’s teeth: A feline toothbrush either latex thimble, or bristle brush, and some flavored pet toothpaste.

You are probably wondering how to brush your ferret’s teeth? For routine maintenance at home, there are several toothbrushes on the market that can work remarkably well. Feline toothbrushes come in either the standard bristle toothbrush, or a latex finger toothbrush. The finger toothbrush is constructed of a pliable latex material, bristles and all, which fits over your index finger thimble style. These toothbrushes either bristled or latex are available in a variety of locations, your veterinarians office, pet supply or pet stores. Some people prefer to wrap their finger with gauze and apply the toothpaste using their finger.  Do what you feel comfortable with and what gets the job done.

In deciding which toothbrush to get for your ferret’s dental care you should first consider several things: How does your ferret deal with you handling its mouth and teeth? If your ferret is young and still nippy, then the best brush would be a bristled brush. If your ferret is older and mellow and you interact regularly with care and maintenance the thimble style toothbrush should do just fine. Several companies manufacture the above mentioned items along with flavored toothpaste for pets. Scalers are also available from either pet supply houses or at ferret shows, check with your veterinarian.

If you have never brushed your ferret’s teeth, you may need to gradually get him or her used to having it’s mouth manipulated. Start by gently massaging the ferret’s cheeks and mouth with your finger. Over the course of several days, work up to rubbing his teeth and gums with your finger. When they seem to tolerate this well, you can let him taste the toothpaste and begin to introduce him to the toothbrush. You will probably want have someone else hold him/her. Remember to be patient, this is a new experience for your ferret.

Using the toothbrush or finger toothbrush gently massage the gums and the canine teeth. You will notice that the buildup of treats and soft food items cleans off very easily. The toothpaste is edible so there is no need for rinsing. Never use human toothpaste or baking soda on any pets teeth, it can be harmful to the enamel. It is also advised to work back towards the molars to help reduce the tartar buildup in the areas that the tongue does not reach. This will reduce the need for frequent vet tooth cleanings. Crunchy food ( kibbled food) is recommended to help keep teeth clean, but it is not enough to do the entire job.

If the ferret’s teeth already have a heavy buildup of plaque, you will need to start by having your veterinarian do a dental scaling. This usually entails the ferret being put under anesthesia. If your ferret is docile and you are knowledgeable and comfortable in doing so you can try this yourself without anesthesia. You may find that your vet will show you how to scale your ferrets teeth and provide instructions should you ask. A dental scaling cleans the surfaces below and above the gum line and should be done when you notice the teeth do not appear white anymore. The tan color material (plaque) is usually very soft and can be removed easily. If it is allowed to remain it will turn into tartar. Tartar (grayish or greenish spots on the teeth, usually most visible on the molars) can differ in color from a greenish, brownish or yellowish color. It may take on a reddish tint if the gums bleed from irritation and stains the tartar. Tartar is a hardened buildup which causes irritation to the gums, and infection in advanced stages, this is why it is imperative to keep the ferrets teeth clean.


If you want to scale your ferret’s teeth you will need a dental instrument or scraper. These scrapers are available from either pet stores or at pet shows. Some of the scrapers differ in design, some have pointer ends, while others have a shovel end. Others have more rounded ends. In some cases using your fingernail will work for plaque and tartar below the gum line, however owners should be aware that the tartar above the gum line is important to remove as well. Developing a technique for scaling will depend on the type of tool you use, and how aggressive the build up of tartar is on the teeth. The motion will be either side to side (a scrubbing motion) or up and down starting at the gum line or just under and above it and pulling down where you pull the tartar off the tooth. You may need to break up the heavily built up areas and by applying pressure in the center this aids in the break up of the tartar on the tooth. It is well advised after scaling to either brush the teeth, of buff them with a gauze wrapped around your finger. This buffs the sharp edges which may be left from scraping and also cleans away any debris left from the scaling.

It should be understood that a vet tooth cleaning may be required for scaling the tartar off your ferrets teeth about every one to two years for optimum dental health. How often your ferret needs a veterinary tooth scaling will vary according to your ferret’s diet. Ferrets who eat soft foods (not recommended unless health condition requires) and treats will require more frequent dental cleanings.


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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is Proposing to use Unmanned Aerial Drones to Help Black-Footed Ferrets

Black-footed ferrets are America’s ferrets, the only ones native to this country — and they’re in trouble. What better way to help save them than one of America’s favorite contraptions, the drone?

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is proposing to use unmanned aerial vehicles, more commonly known as drones, to rain peanut-butter pellets down on northeast Montana. The tasty ammunition is laced with a vaccine against the plague. The targets are prairie dogs that are commonly afflicted with the disease.

Getting those rodents to scarf down the drone-fired bait would keep them healthy, which in turn would help the ferrets, because black-footed ferrets eat prairie dogs. Prairie dogs, in fact, make up 90 percent of the diet of the carnivorous ferrets, which also live inside the prairie dogs’ old burrows. Black-footed ferrets are, in other words, entirely dependent on prairie dogs.

And keeping black-footed ferrets alive is a key mission for Fish and Wildlife, whose literature charmingly refers to the animals as “BFFs.” They’re cute and oblong, with the face of a tiny badger, and they’re among the most endangered species in the world. As Americans pushed west, prairie dog eradication programs, agriculture and development removed much of the ferrets’ prey and habitat, and by 1987 just 18 of the little masked creatures remained.

They’ve since been captured, bred in captivity and reintroduced to more than two dozen spots in eight Western states and Canada and Mexico. But there still aren’t many of them, and the flea-borne plague is a big threat. For years, Fish and Wildlife workers have squirted flea-killing powder, by hand, down into prairie dog burrows across the plains. But that’s labor-intensive and inefficient, and there are signs the fleas might be developing a resistance, said Fish and Wildlife biologist Randy Matchett. Vaccinating the ferrets from the plague is also tough, because they live underground and are nocturnal.

Enter the peanut butter pellets — and the drones. Matchett has been hard at work developing the pellets, which encase a vaccine that has worked in lab trials and in small patches of the wild to protect prairie dogs from the plague. Now the government wants to expand the trials to bigger, 1,000-acre areas. The idea is to head out in the early mornings, while ferrets are sleeping but prairie dogs are active, and drop a pellet every 30 feet. In tests, that rate has enticed 70 to 95 percent of prairie dogs to eat the bait (which Matchett said he knows because it tinted their whiskers pink).

The pellets, by the way, are not M&Ms, as has been reported elsewhere, Matchett said. “We do not have an official candy of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service,” said an agency spokesman, Ryan Moehring. They are “more like a mini-marshmallow,” Matchett said.

But how to efficiently dispense them? Matchett has proposed testing two ideas at a national wildlife refuge in northeastern Montana: Strap a GPS-sensing dispenser to a human-driven ATV that shoots a pellet left, right and down every 30 feet. Or strap the same sort of dispenser to a fixed-wing drone, which could be cheaper and speedier, treating two acres a minute, Matchett said.

“You see how the math and that velocity really get attractive,” he said.

Matchett said he is working with a contractor to design the pellet-shooting drone, which he hopes will get a trial run later this summer. “I know nothing about drones, but he does,” Matchett said. “And I’ve explained the requirements that we need, and he says, ‘I can do that.'”

Flea-killing spraying and ATVs will probably also remain in use, Moehring said. “This is conceptual and limited in scope,” he said. “There is not an army of drones heading to the West.”

Though the use of a drone would be novel, this is hardly the first time airdrops have been used for conservation.

Among the most delightful examples actually involved airdropping the animals themselves. In the 1950s, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game rounded up beavers that were wreaking havoc on private property, packed them by twos into wooden boxes, attached them to parachutes and dropped them into remote areas where the toothy rodents’ dam-building skills were needed.

As in the case of the ferrets, the paratrooper force grew out of a need for efficiency: Previously, the beavers had been trapped, packed onto horses, driven by truck to a forest, then packed onto horses again and “subjected to more handling, heat and jolting,” according to a 1950 article by the department’s Elmo W. Heter, who devised the parachute plan. Here’s a video of it:


In 2013, U.S. helicopters dropped 2,000 dead mice strapped to makeshift cardboard and tissue parachutes onto the forests of Guam. Their mission: Kill invasive brown tree snakes. The mice had been studded with acetaminophen, the painkiller in Tylenol, which is lethal to the snakes. The parachutes tangled mice in the trees, where they made perfect tree snake snacks.

In the 1970s and 1980s, tens of thousands of vaccine-stuffed chicken heads were airdropped onto the Swiss countryside to help rid foxes of rabies. These days, Texas every year launches what it calls an “aerial assault on rabies,” by sending out planes to drop millions of little plastic packets of fishmeal-coated anti-rabies bait. The targets used to be coyotes and foxes; now they’re also aimed at skunks. This method is used in several Eastern states as well, where the Department of Agriculture has long dropped cubes of anti-rabies laced dog food to prevent raccoon rabies.

And then there’s this bizarre, not-definitely-true example: In the 1950s, the World Health Organization just might have parachuted live cats into Borneo, where it was hoped they’d kill the rats that were spreading plague and typhus among people. The details are sketchy — it might have been just a few cats, or might have been 14,000, and they might have floated down in baskets, according to Patrick T. O’Shaughnessy, an Iowa professor who wrote about the operation for the American Journal of Public Health in 2008. He wrote, however, that the “basic components of the cat story seem to be true,” and “although seemingly bizarre in nature, this method of delivery was not uncommon.”

Back in Montana, Matchett says airplanes aren’t quite right for the ferret mission, because the delivery must be precise, and therefore low-flying.

“We’re saving hoverboards for last,” he said of his vaccine-distribution plan.

That, unlike the drone idea, was a joke.

A black-footed ferret at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s National Black-footed Ferret Conservation Center in Wellington, Colo. (AP Photo/ U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Kimberly Fraser)

Black-footed ferret babies born at the Conservation and Research Center, part of Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park. ( Photo by Jessie Cohen, Smithsonian’s National Zoo)

A black-footed ferret prepares to leave its carrier during a release of 30 ferrets by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge in Commerce City, Colo.  (David Zalubowski/AP)

Department of Agriculture wildlife specialist Tony Salas holds a brown tree snake outside his office on Andersen Air Force Base on the island of Guam. The U.S. government is dropping toxic mice from helicopters to battle the snakes, an invasive species that has decimated Guam’s native bird population. (Eric Talmadge/AP)

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Today is National Pet Day: What Plans Do You Have for Your Pet(s)?

Pet Day is a chance for those of us who own pets to show them how much we love them. Now, we all can think of the traditional things: a new toy, some tasty treats, or a long walk in the park, maybe a game of fetch, assuming you have a dog! But, think outside the box and come up with some ideas to celebrate your relationship with your pet. Once you have indulged your own animals with their favorite treats, why not consider donating to a shelter or other animal welfare organization?

There are so many neglected and unwanted animals waiting for some love and attention. You can donate your time, or you can donate food or other supplies. Every little bit helps. If you don’t already own a pet, what better time to adopt one? A good phrase to keep in mind is “adopt, don’t shop.”

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Did You Know that the Flu Can Be Passed from Humans to Animals?

As flu season approaches, people who get sick may not realize they can pass the flu not only to other humans, but possibly to other animals, including pets such as cats, dogs and ferrets.

This concept, called “reverse zoonosis,” is still poorly understood but has raised concern among some scientists and veterinarians, who want to raise awareness and prevent further flu transmission to pets. About 80-100 million households in the United States have a cat or dog.

It’s well known that new strains of influenza can evolve from animal populations such as pigs and birds and ultimately move into human populations, including the most recent influenza pandemic strain, H1N1. It’s less appreciated, experts say, that humans appear to have passed the H1N1 flu to cats and other animals, some of which have died of respiratory illness.

There are only a handful of known cases of this phenomenon and the public health implications of reverse zoonosis of flu remain to be determined. But as a concern for veterinarians, it has raised troubling questions and so far, few answers.

Veterinary researchers at Oregon State University and Iowa State University are working to find more cases of this type of disease transmission and better understand any risks they pose to people and pets.

“We worry a lot about zoonoses, the transmission of diseases from animals to people,” said Christiane Loehr, an associate professor in the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine. “But most people don’t realize that humans can also pass diseases to animals, and this raises questions and concerns about mutations, new viral forms and evolving diseases that may potentially be zoonotic. And, of course, there is concern about the health of the animals.”

The researchers are surveying flu transmission to household cat and dog populations, and suggest that people with influenza-like illness distance themselves from their pets. If a pet experiences respiratory disease or other illness following household exposure to someone with the influenza-like illness, the scientists encourage them to take the pet to a veterinarian for testing and treatment.

The first recorded, probable case of fatal human-to-cat transmission of the pandemic H1N1 flu virus occurred in Oregon in 2009, Loehr said. Details were published in Veterinary Pathology, a professional journal. In that instance, a pet owner became severely ill with the flu and had to be hospitalized. While she was still in the hospital, her cat – an indoor cat with no exposure to other sick people, homes or wildlife – also died of pneumonia caused by an H1N1 infection.

Since then, researchers have identified a total of 13 cats and one dog with pandemic H1N1 infection in 2011 and 2012 that appeared to have come from humans. Pet ferrets have also been shown to be infected, and some died. All of the animals’ symptoms were similar to that of humans - they rapidly develop severe respiratory disease, stop eating and some die. Serological studies suggest there is far more exposure to flu virus in cats and dogs than previously known.

“It’s reasonable to assume there are many more cases of this than we know about, and we want to learn more,” Loehr said. “Any time you have infection of a virus into a new species, it’s a concern, a black box of uncertainty. We don’t know for sure what the implications might be, but we do think this deserves more attention.”

Natural and experimental transmission of the H3N2 influenza virus from dogs to cats in South Korea showed the potential for flu viruses to be transmitted among various animal species, Loehr said. It’s unknown if an infected cat or other pet could pass influenza back to humans.

The primary concern in “reverse zoonosis,” as in evolving flu viruses in more traditional hosts such as birds and swine, is that in any new movement of a virus from one species to another, the virus might mutate into a more virulent, harmful or easily transmissible form.

“All viruses can mutate, but the influenza virus raises special concern because it can change whole segments of its viral sequence fairly easily,” Loehr said. “In terms of hosts and mutations, who’s to say that the cat couldn’t be the new pig? We’d just like to know more about this.”

Veterinarians who encounter possible cases of this phenomenon can obtain more information from Loehr or Jessie Trujillo at Iowa State University. They are doing ongoing research to predict, prevent or curtail emergent events.

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The New Rage In New York City: Illegal Ferret Parties

It’s no secret that New York City ain’t what it used to be. Anyone longing for the old, New York will be pleased to know that at least one group of people are keeping fun alive with parties as illegal as they are adorable.

I am speaking, of course, of the underground gatherings of a small but dedicated group of ferret fanciers who brazenly flout the health department’s recently reiterated ban on keeping a tiny weasel in your home. A reporter from The Guardian was recently able to gain admittance to one of these decadent affairs (presumably after being blindfolded and led down a dark alley), and what he found may shock you.

In The Guardian’s exclusive video snapshot of the illegal pet demimonde, the toothy terrors can be observed chasing each other around, licking humans they barely know, and taking hits of an unidentified brown substance. “They love this stuff,” sneers one libertine. Adds another, somewhat ominously: “When they calm down, they’re very affectionate.”

One particularly concerning shot shows an all-out interspecies tickle-fest raging on a mattress. Thankfully, the camera pans away before things get too real.

“They are the best of both worlds,” says one of the ferret ladies. “As playful as a dog, as clean and aloof as a cat.” She then added that cities where ferrets are legal have had no problems with “excessive biting.” Only the normal level of biting, thanks.

This gleaming theme park of a town being what it is, there’s probably little hope that the practitioners of this alternative lifestyle will ever being able to step out of the shadows. Nevertheless, one ferretphile remains optimistic: “Hopefully one day, people will reconsider and not be fearful of something that they’re not necessarily familiar with.” 

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Ferret Adrenal Disease

Tumors of the adrenal gland in ferrets can cause excess secretion of sex hormones, thus affecting many organs in the body. Unfortunately, this is a relatively common problem in middle aged and older ferrets. Even though most of these tumors are not malignant, they can cause significant disease if left untreated.

Dogs and cats get a problem similar to this, although it acts and is treated differently. In dogs and cats it is due to an excess secretion of cortisone, not sex hormones. In these species it is called Cushing’s disease.

At the very end of this page is a QuickTime video of part of a surgery to remove cancerous adrenal glands and cancerous nodules on the pancreas. You will need QuickTime from www.apple.com to be able to view it.

Physiology
This disease involves reproductive hormones. In a normal ferret, a hormone from the hypothalmus in the brain,  called gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) causes stimulation of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) from the pituitary gland. These hormones stimulate the release of estrogen and testosterone from the gonads. A very sensitive negative feedback loop maintains just the right amount of estrogen and testosterone. This sensitive balance is upset in adrenal disease of ferrets.

Cause
The exact reason this tumor arises is not completely unknown. It is seen more often in the U.S. than in Great Britain, where different breeding and husbandry practices are utilized. It is speculated that diet, exposure to sunlight, and neutering are all factors, with neutering being the most important one.

Ferrets breed seasonally, causing variation in melatonin release with varying daylight. Less daylight means more melatonin and a thick haircoat. This higher level of melatonin eventually exerts a negative feedback on the release of the sex hormones estrogen and testosterone. When ferrets are spayed and neutered the negative feedback is disrupted, more of these sex hormones are secreted than is normal, and clinical signs develop.

The three main types of adrenal lesion encountered are:
Nodular hyperplasia that occurs 56% of the time
adrenocortical adenoma that occurs 16 % of the time
adrenocortical adenocarcinoma that occurs 26% of the time


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Frequently Asked Questions About the Legal Status of Ferrets

Some common questions people have about ferrets (aside from “Aren't ferrets smelly?”) concern the legal status of ferrets as pets. This is an important issue for people who own ferrets and live where it is illegal to do so, and also for ferret lovers who work to protect ferret rights everywhere and for people who are considering adopting a ferret. Although, in my opinion, there are no valid reasons why ferrets should be banned, it is illegal to own them as pets in some places. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about ferret laws and how they affect people and pets.

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Tips on What to Look for When Choosing a Pet Ferret

Where to Get Your Ferret:
Once you've done all of your research and are prepared for ferret ownership, it's time to go and pick out your ferret! Whether you adopt a ferret from a shelter or purchase one from a pet store or a breeder, there are things you need to consider when making this big decision.

There are four main places where you can find ferrets:
Pet store
Ferret shelter
Private breeder
Classified ads in newspapers and online (such as www.petfinder.com)

Where you get your ferret from depends on what you are looking for in a ferret. If you are a first time ferret owner, you may want to consider adopting an older ferret from a shelter. Kits (baby ferrets) can be a real challenge for an owner not prepared for their energy and enthusiasm! Kits are very active and they need substantial training and socializing. Older ferrets typically have more training and they are calmer than younger ferrets.

Another benefit of adopting a ferret from a shelter is that you are more likely to end up with a ferret that fits well into your life and household. Shelter operators are much more familiar with the ferrets in their care than a pet store employee would be, so they can make a better match. This is because a shelter operator spends more time interacting with his or her ferrets, but also because a kit's personality and activity levels are going to change drastically in the first year of his life. Therefore, a pet store employee really can't know how your ferret is going to be in three months or even three weeks.

Picking a Healthy Ferret
When you choose your ferret, especially if you're purchasing a kit from a pet store, look for a ferret with the following signs of health:

• Glossy, soft coat
• Bright, clear eyes
• Clean ears
• Clean teeth
• Trimmed nails
• Healthy skin
• Active, curious attitude
• Alert to surroundings

Avoid ferrets that have obvious issues, such as runny ears or nose, or ferrets that are living in filthy cages. While the situations that these ferrets are living in can be heartbreaking, a dirty cage is a breeding ground for parasites, and you could end up bringing diseases home that could affect your other ferrets or pets if you try to save them. If you see bad conditions, it is better to notify the proper authorities that the animals in the store are being neglected than it is to bring them home.

Make a Decision Based on Personality
When choosing a ferret, don't choose based on coat color or gender. Coat colors change throughout a ferret's life, sometimes several times, so just because a ferret is one color as a kit doesn't mean that he will stay that color.

Gender is also not a factor unless your ferrets are not neutered or spayed, and most ferrets are. The only real difference between a male and a female is that the male is generally significantly larger than the female.

Instead of coat color or gender, make your final decision based on personality. Every ferret has his or her own distinct personality, behavior, and quirks. Find the ferret that fits with you.

Take Your Time
The ferret you choose will be with you for at least five years, and some ferrets live to be ten or twelve. When you make your choice, don't let a pushy sales associate or anyone else rush your decision. Which ferret you bring home is a very important decision, one that cannot be taken lightly. Take your time picking out your new companion. Find a ferret that you can bond with, and you two will have a great time together for years to come!



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An Owner's Guide to Ferret Health Care

A good diet is the best foundation to any pet’s health care. Ferrets are no exception. As carnivores, ferrets require a high meat protein diet and many veterinarians believe that they benefit from taurine in their diet, just like cats. Therefore a high quality dry ferret or kitten food is an excellent choice. Totally Ferret by PFI, IAMS kitten food, and Hill’s Science diet growth formula, are some of the brands we recommend.

Most grocery store cat foods and some ferret foods are made primarily from corn and soybean meals. Since a ferret has a very short digestive transit time (approximately 3-4 hrs.) the ferret’s stomach and intestines do not have adequate time to break down and absorb the vegetable matter in these lower quality foods and most of the food will pass through undigested.matter in these lower quality foods and most of the food will pass through undigested.

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Today, February 20th, Is National Love Your Pet Day - Show Your Appreciation to Your Pets!

February 20th, celebrates National Love Your Pet Day.  This “unofficial” National holiday is a day set aside to give extra attention to and pamper your pets that you love everyday.   This is a good day to focus on the special relationship that you have with your pets.

Did you know that most households in the United States have at least one pet?

Our pets give us so much.  They give us unconditional love and many health benefits which include stress relief and lower blood pressure.  Our pets give us these benefits without asking for anything in return.  So on February 20 (and everyday) show your  appreciation to your pets!

National Love Your Pet Day, maybe you want to  buy your pet a special treat or a new toy, or maybe you want to take them for an extra long walk or just spend some extra special time with them.  Whatever you decide to do, spoil and appreciate your pets!

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A Veterinarian Who Saves Ferrets He’s Never Met

When I decided to write a profile about this veterinarian who lives in the Northwest, I knew I’d be writing about someone special due to his reputation among ferret shelters. What I did not know, however, was how incredibly special his unique contribution has been to ferrets — and it still is. He has given the ferret community something vital and something that has probably been integral in helping to contain a disease we all fear in our ferrets: Aleutian disease virus (ADV).

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