I have the sweetest little ferret named Baby. I named him after the girl in Dirty Dancing. Anyway, the only vet that I know of that treats ferrets is way down in Prince William County at Old bridge Animal Hospital. Does anyone know of a vet in Fairfax that know a lot about ferrets? Baby is now seven and I have to watch for things like tumors and adrenal gland disease. That's what ferrets get sick from. Thanks in advance.

Trickie

Try calling these people maybe they would know because they are base din Fairfax County http://www.ferretsfirst.org/about_us/contact_us.php

Thanks, will do. You are so sweet!!!!!
Trickie

Why do ferrets always get sick?

Every time I hear anyone talk about their pet ferret, it's always either, "my ferret died" or "my ferret is sick" or "my ferret is sick and dying".

What's the deal?

Honestly, Mr. Glass, I am not sure. They are mustelids - a part of the weasel family and they are prone to adrenal gland disease and to tumors. Many owners are not willing to take their pet ferrets to a knowlegeable vet or to pay the high cost of treating the diseases. Their life span is about 4 to 6 years and they get shots just like a dog. My former ferret lived to be 8 and died in her sleep. My current ferret is nearly 8 and has had two benign tumors removed. He is still playful and healthy although he is becoming blind. Judging by the many rescue orgaonizations all over the US, I think many people get a ferret because they look cute in the pet store as kits. Then they realize they need to spend a lot of time socializing them and caring for them so they give them up or just let them languish in a cage. They are not pets for everybody, but mine have been a joy.

Hugs, Trickie

Try the Exotic animal clinic in Arcola, on Rte 50, 4-5 miles past Chantilly

Also call Pender, they have a ton of specialists :)
HTH

The folks at Pender are great! I had to bring my Aussie Bearded Dragon to them because one day he looked horrible. They checked him out and said he actually had too much calcium in his system..which surprised me. But he's doing great now.

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I live near Pender. One time I had a sick hamster named Chester. I took him to Pender. The vet said, "Chester has a tumor in his stomach. he is dying. Do you want us to put him to sleep?" I said yes. They asked me if I wanted his little body. I did so they put him in a little pink box on top of cotton. On the drive home, I peeked in the box and it looked like Chester was just sleeping. I was gonna bury him in my yard but it was raining. Oh and the bill was $100 and I did not want to tell my husband how expensive it was. he gets mad at vet bills. So I couldn't bury him that night because of the rain. I put the little pink box in the freezer. I was gonna bury Chester the next afternoon before hubby came home. However I forgot it was Back to School Night. I went to school.
When I got home from Back to school night my husband was rummaging around in the freeezer and he said "Oh is this some Ben and Jerry's ice cream." He opened the box and saw poor Chester. I had to fess up as to how much it cost to put my sweet Chester to sleep at Pender.
He is buried in our back yard under an azalea bush. RIP Chester.

Trickie

awww poor little hammy :)

rodents r us on 234 might be able to help. I think they sell dead rodents to chink restuarants.

Ditto on Pender...don't they have a whole department devoted to pets like that?

i dont understand how this thread keeps going on.


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

It keeps going on because lots of people love ferrets. I know I do. Plus everyone has been so helpful and nice. I love the people on this forum, even you Gravis!!!!

Huygs, Trickie

TrickieL Wrote:
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> I love the people on this
> forum, even you Gravis!!!!
>
> Huygs, Trickie


it's a little early to be drinking, dont you think?


"the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

never too early to do anything.

To answer Mr. Glass's question as to why ferrets are always getting sick, I think it's because nine times out of ten their owners are stinky hippies. So their ferrets are always drinking bong water, or scarfing down patchouli oil when the owners aren't looking. Plus after being forced to listen to Phish and the Greatful Dead all day, and being force-bed bulgur wheat because their vegan owners don't believe in meat, they eventually just lose the will to live.

Hey, I resent that! I own three ferrets. Just because I live in a co-op, am a lesbian, listen to Blues Traveler, and work for the Peace Corp shouldn't stereotype me as a hippie. Screw you, jerkface!

To Not funny
I had to put my ferret to sleep on Thursday. he had a tumor on his spleen. I really loved him a lot. I am not a hippie either. Besides I listen to Jimmy Buffet and I eat meat too.
Enjoy your ferrets and give them a hug. I really miss mine.

Hugs, Trickie

Army or Navy vet?

Vet Wrote:
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> Army or Navy vet?


You waited 8 years for that lame joke? Drop dead.

And yet you cread and commented on the post. You just as stoopid.