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PHFaust: On behalf of Jeff Barringer and all of us at exotichobbyist.com.com, I'm very pleased to welcome Kathy Fritz of the Ferret Nook to our Eighth Annual Chat Week Kathy_Fritz: Thank you for having me! PHFaust: Kathy can you tell us a little bit about how you got started with ferrets before we begin with questions on care? PHBumble: it's our pleasure Kathy and Thank You!! Kathy_Fritz: About 1986 I purchased my first ferret at a pet store like most of us. And like most of us, I did everything wrong! He passed away at the vet's office at 8 months of age! I promised Maximillion that I would learn all I could about ferrets and joined a Club! PHBumble: Welcome Clover PHBumble: how are you tonight? CloverCats_nr: Fine, thanks. ;) PHBumble: Welcome SNAKE & Xan Kathy_Fritz: After joining I took over writing the Newsletter, then became President, then started Central IL Friends of Ferrets. Moved to WI in 1996 and starte The Ferret Nook! PHFaust: :) SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ? Kathy_Fritz: Please bear with me, it's my first experience at this! PHBumble: your doing great Kathy :E PHFaust: Ok Kathy, your first question is from snake master. when you are done answering please type a GA so I know to go to next person SNAKEMASTER9_nr: why do ferrets get tumers Kathy_Fritz: They are just like us -- any animal is prone to tumors. PHFaust: are there certain tumors they are more prone to as a species? SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ? Kathy_Fritz: Mast cell tumors, adrenal tumors, insulinoma tumors. All of which can be treated either by surgery or medically managed. Kathy_Fritz: GA CloverCats_nr: ? PHFaust: snakemaster you can go again SNAKEMASTER9_nr: how many ferrets do you have ? how do u know when they are mating or if they are male and female Kathy_Fritz: Do I have personally? Or the shelter? Kathy_Fritz: GA SNAKEMASTER9_nr: personally PHFaust: I think both... Kathy_Fritz: Personally I have 18 and in the shelter I lost count, but I think it's 100. PHBumble: ((((( Kathy ))))) Kathy_Fritz: There are only 5 ferret shelters in the state of Wisconsin to our area is larger than most shelters. GA PHFaust: Since you dont participate in mating, could you explain the sexing issue Kathy_Fritz: Since we began in January of 1997, in Wisconsin, we have taken in over 1,500 ferrets and placed the majority in good homes! Kathy_Fritz: The easiest way to sex a ferret is to look at the underside. If there is a "belly button" it's a male and if there is none it's a female. Kathy_Fritz: When they urinate and deficate, if it;s in the same spot, it's a female, if the urine is an inch or so ahead of the feces, it's a boy! Kathy_Fritz: GA PHFaust: Interesting! Clovercats your turn Midask9: ? SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ? CloverCats_nr: Thank you. First, where are you located in Wisconsin? Second ... I don't have a ferret, but am thinking of getting one someday .... HideyHoleOrg: ? CloverCats_nr: is it better to get one from a breeder or from a rescue? Male or female? CloverCats_nr: ga Kathy_Fritz: We are located 17 miles southeast of Madison, WI (south central Wisconsin). If you are interested in getting a ferret, go to our web site and learn first. Also, do a search on the net.GA PHFaust: Is there a difference in behavior between the sexes that would make a male or female a better choice for a first time? CloverCats_nr: Thanks, ga Kathy_Fritz: Good breeders are hard to find. I feel, it's best to get your first ferret from a ferret shelter, that way you have someone to guide you when needed. Kathy_Fritz: The males are usually more laid back than the female. Females tend to be more territorial.GA PHFaust: midas CloverCats_nr: Do they get along with other pets, such as cats and dogs? Midask9: What is the most frequent health concern you see in the ferrets that come into the rescue? ga Midask9: sorry, I can wait while you finish Clover's question :) Kathy_Fritz: That depends. It's just like any animal you bring into your home, most ferrets can get along with other small animals. Kathy_Fritz: Adrenal Disease and Insulinoma are by far the most prevakent. SNAKEMASTER9_nr: how do i get a copy of the chat to print PHBumble: Welcome hidey, to Ferret Chat with Kathy Fritz, our guest speaker from the Ferret Nook. If you have a question, please enter a ? to the room. No open chatting please. :E PHFaust: we will have a log on the exotics chat page this week Kathy_Fritz: Oh boy, all my typos will be there also, huh!GA PHFaust: LOL thats ok we read typo Kathy_Fritz: How does everyone get a picture of their pet to show? PHFaust: what are the causes of those to issues? PHFaust: if you click on the little blue man next to the text box you can choose from the selection there Kathy_Fritz: Your guess is as good as mine! There are small studies going on but no results as yet. Some of the hypotheses are that light factors into Adrenal Disease and diet and genetics for Insulinomas.GA PHFaust: snake did you have another question? SNAKEMASTER9_nr: is white ferrets rare to find and do u have a web page kathey? Midask9: ? Kathy_Fritz: Albino or Red-Eyed Whites are not as prevalent as other colors. There are 42 different colors and patterns of ferrets. Yes, I have a web site it's www.ferretnook.org. PHFaust: hideyhole your turn SNAKEMASTER9_nr: albino and red eye HideyHoleOrg: I have recently been confronted by differing opinions. Do you find it is better to treat adrenal disease medically or surgically? Kathy_Fritz: That's an owner's call. I recommend that people learn as much as they can about the disease first, then, if you have a skilled, ferret friendly vet (also a skilled surgeon) then, go for surgery. There are so many variables at stake here. Also, the physical condition and the age of the ferret plays a part in making your decision. Kathy_Fritz: As far as medically treating, I have had great results iwth the Melatonin Implant.GA PHBumble: ? Kathy_Fritz: Also, people have had good results with Lupron, but it's expensive. Kathy_Fritz: GA PHFaust: Midas Midask9: I have been reading about the Angora Ferrets becoming available in the US more prevalently......are these being seen in rescues yet? Midask9: ga Kathy_Fritz: I have never seen one! Kathy_Fritz: GA PHFaust: Bumble your turn PHBumble: Kathy, speaking of the Melatonin Implants, do you feel they work as well as the Lupron, better or worse? Midask9: ? Kathy_Fritz: I don't know if on the east coast I'm sure they probably have had some come in.GA PHBumble: ga Kathy_Fritz: Since I haven't had any personal experience with Lupron, I can't answer that one.GA PHBumble: we swear by the implants here at the shelter ga PHFaust: Midas Midask9: There seem to be more and more diets avialable commercially, but I know many people promote a raw diet as well, do you have any thoughts on raw for ferrets? ga Kathy_Fritz: I personally am against the commoin ferret owner using the raw diet because they can't make sure that the raw diet is a complete diet.GA PHFaust: I have a few questions myself. As you know I run another exotic type issue. What is the single most bang your head thru a brick wall issue you see with the ferrets? With mine it would be people not even researching what they are getting and just winging it... what is it that makes you feel that way CloverCats_nr: ? Midask9: ? SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ? SNAKEMASTER9_nr: help her back PHFaust: it appears we just had a net split... bear with us she will be right back CloverCats_nr: The cat room just dumped about half of its occupants too .... PHFaust: Clover your question for Kathy? Kathy_Fritz_nr: GA CloverCats_nr: I was wondering what kind of 'housing' that ferrets need. Big cages, little cages, or do they run around the house like a cat? ga HideyHoleOrg: ? Kathy_Fritz_nr: I recommend a cage as big as you can afford, but for 1 or 2 ferrets a cage that is 24"x36"x24 is fine. I personally don't like free roaming, they can get into too much trouble!GA PHFaust: Midas your turn Midask9: It seems that ferrets are very prone to vaccine reactions, are any safer than others? Or should one consider having titers checked? Kathy_Fritz_nr: I probably have had 4 serious reactions in all the years that I have given vaccinations. I personally think it has a lot to do with how it is given and where it is given.GA Kathy_Fritz_nr: There are no titers established for ferrets as yet.GA PHFaust: what vaccines are suggested for ferrets? Midask9: ? Kathy_Fritz_nr: A kit series includes distemper vaccinations at 8, 11 and 14 weeks then annually there after. Rabies is annually after 12 weeks of age.GA PHFaust: snake your turn SNAKEMASTER9_nr: can you put a male and female ferret in with each other older and young Kathy_Fritz_nr: There are 2 approved distemper vaccines, FerVac-D by United and PureVac by Merial. There is only one rabies and that's the 3-year IMRAB-3 by Merial.GA Kathy_Fritz_nr: Male and female ferrets get along just fine as long as they are altered.GA SNAKEMASTER9_nr: what is altered Kathy_Fritz_nr: Oh, FerVac-D is no longer being produced since United Vacine is being sold.GA Kathy_Fritz_nr: Spayed for females and castrated for males.GA SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ? PHFaust: hidey HideyHoleOrg: do you find that there is a difference in the health of ferrets from different commercial breeders, or is that seen because there is more of one breeder's ferrets being owned than others? GA Kathy_Fritz_nr: I can't really answer that one -- we get the majority of our ferrets from Marshall Farms and Path Valley Farms in this area. We don't have local breeders, so I don't have any data on that one, sorry. Kathy_Fritz_nr: Where are you located?GA HideyHoleOrg: PA Kathy_Fritz_nr: Okay -- it's much different out your way. There are many small breeders out there. We don't have that luxury.GA PHFaust: Midas Midask9: Are there any "treats" you suggest for ferrets? Alot of the ones in pet stores don't seem very healthy, ga Kathy_Fritz_nr: I recommend Totally Ferret Treats and their Chicken Bits! Kathy_Fritz_nr: GA PHFaust: snakemaster SNAKEMASTER9_nr: what if you want to breed them thoght can they still get along? Kathy_Fritz_nr: Why would you want to breed them? There are a lot of ferrets in shelters needing homes.GA SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ok but will they still get along Kathy_Fritz_nr: I would suggest if you want to breed to get hooked up with a breeder with lots of experience. Ferrets are not for the faint of heart when it comes to breeding.GA CloverCats_nr: ? Kathy_Fritz_nr: If they are not in season, I guess it would be okay. Like I said, it would be better to talk to a breeder with experience for that answer.GA PHFaust: clover CloverCats_nr: How long on average do ferrets live? ga SNAKEMASTER9_nr: ? Kathy_Fritz_nr: The life span that is given now is females from 6-8 years and males from 5-7 years. Like any animal, it's up to the owner to help the longivty of the animal by getting good vet care and taking proper care of the animal.GA PHFaust: Snake you get the final question CloverCats_nr: Thank you so much for your helpful information tonight. :) ga SNAKEMASTER9_nr: they will get along at any age young and old SNAKEMASTER9_nr: thank you so much Kathy_Fritz_nr: Thank you for asking me. It was a pleasure.GA PHFaust: Snake, kathy runs a rescue which means she doesnt actively breed. I think she has already answered that they probably would be best to be altered Kathy_Fritz_nr: Definitely!GA PHBumble: Kathy, thank you for such a wonderful & informative chat :E Midask9: thanks so much Kathy, always a pleasure talking with ferret folks :) Kathy_Fritz_nr: Hope it was helpful.GA PHFaust: On behalf of exotichobbyist.com, Jeff B, and myself, I want to take a moment to thank Kathy for being part of our chat week. Kathy, thanks for taking the time out to chat with us on ferrets. Kathy_Fritz_nr: Your very welcome! Midask9: nice chat, Kathy is great, nite everyone :)
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