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Post by Lindsay on Jul 12, 2015 10:21:19 GMT -5
I just got a little baby from Petco like two days ago. I already have two ferrets and we ended up getting two more. The little boy has been sneezing and breathing hard out of his mouth when he sleeps. Today, he sneezed up mucus. He has been eating and drinking. I contacted petco, and they will take him back to see their vet. But to do this...I would have to sign him back over to Petco where they will wait to be sent to the vet and it can take up to 3 weeks to get him back. But I have no say in what is done. They will also take the little girl in case she is sick as well. They have had very little association with the older ferrets and are in different cages, but the little ones have been together. I just dont know...if I should sign them away and not get them back for 3 weeks or the care they will receive. I have no idea how much something like this will cost at a private vet though. Help!
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Post by Heather on Jul 12, 2015 10:51:39 GMT -5
I wouldn't be signing my babies over to anyone, especially this company. Three weeks to get him back, no this will be treated as a return and you will get a new baby back. They will say something happened, he died in transit or some accident happened...here's your new kit. They suspect something is wrong, probably something they've dealt with in the past or they know something is wrong with that batch of kits. Take this little one to the vet, your vet. This whole deal reeks of a bad deal, a coverup or just a plain business deal. Remember these kits are just merchandise. Like a microwave, it costs more to repair than it does to replace. If the company has your kits and a signed affidavit relinquishing control from you they can do whatever they want. If you love this kit or already have ties to this kit, treat it yourself. You can try and bill the company back, but if you ever want to see this kit again I would not be allowing the company to have that kit. The other issue is that unless you've been using a hard quarantine, chances are whatever he has your ferrets have it too. Respiratory issues are easily transmitted and are a common issue because of how these kits are treated in transit. If it was me personally....I would cut my losses and go to my vet (I've done enough store rescues to understand this process). I've seen what happens to kits in stores. They're not worth the expense to vet. They're quickly replaced and the replacement time is about 3 weeks. Obviously, this is your decision but knowing this business like I do, you won't be seeing your kits again if you sign them over to the company. ciao
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Post by Lindsay on Jul 12, 2015 11:15:51 GMT -5
I love this little boy so much already. I have started the process to find a vet. I found an AEMV hospital about an hour away. All good reviews and they specialize in ferrets looking at their website. That was my fear, I would turn him over and not get him back. Three weeks is a crazy amount of time to get him back. I mean the manager was nice and said they could call you with updates, but it just doesn't seem like a good idea. I would not be this nervous to do it, if it felt like the right thing to do. My husband thinks I am overreacting getting all emotional, and I will admit I have been crying a lot but I am a hormonal pregnant lady.I just cant risk not getting him back. My father just lost his baby ferret this week, and he has been taking it so hard. He just seems so drained and heartbroken. Ferrets do become your best friend and I do not wish anyone to go through that.Do you guys know what a vet would charge for office visit anything else that will need to be done? This is technically my first real ferret, so I want to get it right and set a good example for my husband, since the older two are my husbands. He had them before I met him and he has never taken them to the vet, so we were already planning on taking them sometime soon. I have done a lot of research and his ferrets are getting the royal treatment now as far as habitat and food. He went from the walmart brand to evo and from a rabbit cage to a ferret nation cage. It has made a huge difference. Thanks!
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Post by Sherry on Jul 12, 2015 11:24:17 GMT -5
That is exactly what will happen. It sounds like he has a respiratory issue that may well be treated with simple antibiotics, but guaranteed if you turn him over he will be euthanized and you will be given another with some sort of excuse
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Post by Lindsay on Jul 12, 2015 11:35:13 GMT -5
Does anyone know an estimate of how much antibodies will run? I emailed the vet about an appointment since they are closed on Sundays.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 12, 2015 12:57:22 GMT -5
My baby had a limp(petco ) did not know if my senior did it as she shook her once before i discovered it, or if she was damaged in freight. Petco would replace her and send her back. I read Marshal Farms incinerates sick ferrets live.(Peta) So no way. Did not want to replace her either. I had xrays done and was trying to recoup some store credit.
That is one pretty baby.
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Post by lyles on Jul 12, 2015 13:44:18 GMT -5
I just got a little baby from Petco like two days ago. I already have two ferrets and we ended up getting two more. The little boy has been sneezing and breathing hard out of his mouth when he sleeps. Today, he sneezed up mucus. He has been eating and drinking. I contacted petco, and they will take him back to see their vet. But to do this...I would have to sign him back over to Petco where they will wait to be sent to the vet and it can take up to 3 weeks to get him back. But I have no say in what is done. They will also take the little girl in case she is sick as well. They have had very little association with the older ferrets and are in different cages, but the little ones have been together. I just dont know...if I should sign them away and not get them back for 3 weeks or the care they will receive. I have no idea how much something like this will cost at a private vet though. Help! I know what it is and it's nothing to worry about, keep him fed and in a few days the symptoms will clear. I recently got a baby from Petco and she was suffering from the exact same symptoms, it's a reaction to the bedding that they use.
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Post by Lindsay on Jul 12, 2015 15:26:56 GMT -5
I could never return him. He is just the cutest thing. The other little girl doesn't have any symptoms, so I am hoping it isnt contagious. They have been together for the past three days. Poor thing just keeps sneezing. I think I might try some children benedryl and some salt water vapor to help clear the airways. I found about it here www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ask_angela/colds.html It says to get some hot water, put a teaspoon of salt in, and put it on a cloth for him to inhale. Let me know if you have any thoughts on this.
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Post by Heather on Jul 12, 2015 15:44:23 GMT -5
You can create a steam room for him (works really well if your bathroom is small). Run very hot water creating steam allow it to fill the bathroom then play in there with him for about 10 minutes. My bathroom is very small, I just ran my kettle for about 10 minutes. ciao
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Post by unclejoe on Jul 12, 2015 15:48:42 GMT -5
I would get him to my vet and bring the bill to petco. Speak with a manager. Just tell them that you bonded quickly and couldn't turn him over for up to 3 weeks. Some Petco managers actually care. Even if they offer to cover half the bill, it's something. You have nothing to lose. Our local Petco has a vet on site, and they keep sick ferrets in back until they get well. They don't just ship them back and take a markdown. I can't speak for other stores. Chances are (no just my opinion, I'm not a vet) He has an upper respiratory infection, and antibiotics will clear it up. I would take all three that I got at that time, so they can be checked and get meds. A URI should be easily treated, but you don't want to wait until it turns into pneumonia, which can kill. Best of luck.
Edit: I see you found a ferret vet an hour away. Ask them if they can recommend one closer to you as a professional courtesy. They should do that without question.
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Post by unclejoe on Jul 12, 2015 15:59:31 GMT -5
More: Ferrets come from Marshall's with a health guarantee. If the store won't work with you, try going thru Marshall's. And let them know that the store was uncooperative. My second ferret came home with a bladder infection. I figured, no big deal as the vet was $45 and the antibiotics were free. When I went back to the store a month later I mentioned it to the manager and he said if I had told him at the time they would have worked with me.
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Post by FireAngel on Jul 12, 2015 15:59:46 GMT -5
There are many reasons he could be sneezing, it could be a reaction to something in the house. If he wasn't sneezing when you bought him then it is hopefully just that and as soon as you find the iratant he should be better. To be on the safe side I would do as Heather said though, I would always do what her, Sherry, poncesmom says and a few others lol just to make sure and I would keep him away from the others if possible until he gets the all clear. i cross posted with unclejoe, I would do what he says too! Hehe
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Post by Sherry on Jul 12, 2015 16:38:49 GMT -5
Generally all Marshall's will do is pay to replace the ferret. We have had members who's wee ones have had botched descentings done, and had to have surgery up to a year later. They fought with the company to get even part of the bill covered as all that Marshall's wanted to do was have the ferret returned to the store they were purchased from and "exchange" them
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Post by lyles on Jul 12, 2015 17:14:02 GMT -5
Generally all Marshall's will do is pay to replace the ferret. We have had members who's wee ones have had botched descentings done, and had to have surgery up to a year later. They fought with the company to get even part of the bill covered as all that Marshall's wanted to do was have the ferret returned to the store they were purchased from and "exchange" them Doesn't that just infuriate you? Nothing good comes from when a life is measured in profit. It's tough for the states as the only choice for ferrets is either a marshall's or one of the few private breeders. For dogs it's even worse....
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Post by Lindsay on Jul 12, 2015 18:05:46 GMT -5
So I ended up taking them to petco. The lady who deals with them has three ferrets herself. They go to the vet tomorrow. They are going to a great hospital called mill hopper. They will update me after the appointment. And we will probably get them back in a week. Less for the girl if she is not sick. They will contact us with what's wrong and treatment that will happen. After the hospital visit they will be in the wellness room til their treatment ends.
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