I just came across a news article about a guy who claims that one of his ferrets died and another went into seizures after chewing on a packet of sugarless gum which they got hold of.

He was told by a veterinarian that xylitol, a chemical which is used to give the gum its sweetness without the calories, can be lethal to animals and if this poor ferret did, indeed, die because of chewing on the gum, then it obviously is very lethal.

So, I guess if any ferret owners like chewing on sugarless gum, please make sure it’s kept completely out of reach of your pets, like you would with medicines, etc.

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I hadn’t the time for extensive search,
but this
Pub Med Abstract explains it’s common existence:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8891937?ordinalpos=2&itool=EntrezSystem2.PEntrez.Pubmed.Pubmed_ResultsPanel.Pubmed_DefaultReportPanel.Pubmed_RVDocSum

Fischer RG, Edwardsson S, Klinge B, Attstrm R.

Department of Periodontology, Lund University, Malm, Sweden.

The effect of cyclosporin-A (CyA) on the dentogingival flora of ferrets with healthy and experimentally induced periodontal breakdown was studied. Five animals were given 10 mg/kg/d CyA. At the start of the experiments (day 0), ligatures were placed around 4 teeth in the right upper and lower jaws; corresponding contralateral teeth on the left side served as control. On days 0 and 28 (end of the experiment), microbiological samples were collected from the gingival sulcus of the experimental and the control teeth and from closely located gingival mucosa membrane. The samples were subjected to viable counts and to darkfield microscopic analyses. On day 0, facultative anaerobic rods, mainly Pasteurella spp, Alcaligenes spp, Corynebacterium spp. and Rothia spp dominated in the viable counts. No anaerobic bacteria were detected in the viable counts. On day 28 spirochetes increased in the experimental gingival sulcus samples and anaerobic bacteria appeared in most of the samples and constituted 40-60% of the total cultivable flora; Fusobacterium necrophorum and Eubacterium spp. predominated in the samples from the experimental sites. The results of the present study were compared with those of our previous investigation of ferrets not medicated with cyclosporin but also subject to experimental ligature periodontitis. Eubacterium spp. were absent in the animals not treated with cyclosporin, while this species was frequently present in the immunosuppressed ferrets. The results indicate that the presence of the large numbers of gram negative rods and of anaerobic bacteria may have enhanced the inflammatory process and further provoked the gingival overgrowth observed.

J.Scheer

We used to give our ferrets a full cat-sized dose (cats 5-15 lbs) of Revolution monthy during the mosquito season (6 months of the year), as a preventative for heart worm. This year, after some research, my vet was hesitant to prescribe it, as his research led him to conclude that 12 – 18 mg. of selamectin per kg of weight monthy is sufficient to prevent heartworm, as well as take care of fleas, ticks, ear mites, and anything else. A full vial of cat-sized Revolution is .75 ml of liquid and contains 45 mg of selemectin (per the Revolution website). Thus, if you believe the research that my vet refers to, then a full tube of the cat-sized Revolution contains approximately three times the necessary monthly dosage of selemectin to prevent heartworm in a 1-kg ferret.

I have one study saved on my computer, and can send it to anyone interested. I have also seen another study, but did not save it. I’m not at home for a few days, so I can’t really look for the one I don’t have, but I can send out the other one as a PDF attachment to anyone interested. But my personal conclusion from the study that I have and the other one I read, plus my vet’s information, is that 18 mg. of selemectin monthly for a 1-kg ferret should be quite enough to prevent heartworm. Thus, this year I have gone from giving a full dose of cat-sized Revolution monthy to giving a half-vial monthly per ferret. All of our ferrets are pretty close to the 1-kg weight level. The half-vial dispenses approx. 22 mg of the selemectin, more than enough, in my belief, to protect them.

I did not see any adverse reactions in the two years that we used a full vial (45 mg. of selemectin monthly). However, my vet believes that long-term overmedication with selemectin could lead to some problems, as can over-dosing with most meds. I have to believe him on this one, and my personal comfort level for keeping our 6 ferrets safe from heartworm has decreased accordingly. My vet feels that even the half-vial is too much, but I’d rather go a little over the 18 mg. monthly than a little under, so he capitulated.

Here is the link to the information on Revolution, directly from their website:

http://www.revolution4cats.com/default.aspx?sec=Prescribing%20Information

Kesrael Vacchon wrote this

I don’t usually read ‘Hints from Heloise’ but when I saw the ‘The ’sweet’ facts about owning ferrets’ headline in my local paper this morning, I had to give it a read. Heloise mentioned before that years ago she owned a pet ferret(s) so a reader was asking for advice before possibly purchasing pet ferrets for her children. From a pet store, no less. Heloise didn’t even mention the possibility of going to a rescue to the person who asked about getting ferrets.

Hrm, well, among other things, she tells readers to give ferrets ‘fruit and sweet vegetables’ as treats. I think we all know by now that ferrets are obligate carnivores and cannot digest these mentioned ‘treats’. I know I’ll also be mentioning in my e-mail to her that she is putting her readers’ ferrets lives at risk, as feeding these foods can cause painful intestinal blockages and lead to expensive (been there, done that on the blockage surgery) surgeries and/or death.

She also says ‘A good ferret breeder will spay or neuter and de-scent the babies before selling them to you.’ Hmm, never heard of this one, either. The only time I’ve heard of getting an already speutered ferret from a breeder is when you purchase a retired breeding ferret. Sure, you can urchase a kit on a contract that you have the kit speutered, but you’re still the one responsible for and paying for the surgery to be done. I mean, I could be wrong, I’ve never purchased a baby, much less a ferret from a breeder (all my ferrets have come second hand ) but I always hought, you know, the point of getting a baby, was to get a baby. And don’t most breeders recommend waiting until the ferret is just under a year old before getting it speutered?

I also don’t like the part where she says ‘Do not need a large cage, but should be allowed out every day for exercise and mental stimulation’ Yes, we all agree that ferrets *DO* need to be left out for at least 4 hours every day for exercise. However, I have never read *anywhere* that ferrets ‘do not need a large cage’. Anyone else?

LOL, she also says, in making her point that owning a ferret is not like owning a cat that ‘ferrets are weasels’.

She does make good points about ferret proofing your home and it is better to have them in pairs, ‘NEVER feed ferrets breads, nuts, grains
or dairy products.’ and all, she’s not 100% off the mark. She mentions that they will need annual vaccinations (sadly, doesn’t mention an
‘exotics’ vet).

Here is a link to the entire article:

http://www.indeonline.com/lifestyles/x1566715046/Heloise-A-few-facts-about-ferrets

hey everyone, wanted to share with you all so perhaps this won’t happen to one of your babies.

I almost lost Rasta today. he decided after getting a quick bath and me forgetting to baby gate the kitchen he would climb up the inside of the stove on the narrow sides and got stuck. there was no way for me to get to him and he almost suffocated. somehow he dislodged himself, but was in shock, drooling, and just kind of laying there. rush hour traffic from oakland park to pembroke pines he finally came around at the vet. he has a swollen chin, is on antibiotics & melaxacam.

Please keep your animals away from the stove which has a hidden danger on the inside to climb up. it’s not just them able to climb in and play in the bottom drawer. This was truly a blessing for me to have not lost him. he is only about 2-1/2 and a joy every morning to me and monkey’s partner in crime. even after 20 yrs of having them i learn something everyday. Just thought this worth passing onto you all. Yes, he gets extra kisses from mom tonight and a thank you to up above.
jane