Post by Deleted on Mar 10, 2016 14:11:55 GMT -5
In my other thread about Stewie, I talk about quarantining the new guy from my others. Most of you already understand the reason for this but I thought I would make a short post about it since we have lots of new ferrents (YAY!)
Disclaimer: First let me say that I am absolutely not an expert I am always learning from the wonderful people here. I am not dictating how you should handle new ferrets. This is merely why and what I personally do and I am sure others have stricter or slacker ways that they handle it.
Why I feel this is an important step:
There are medical problems that may not show up right a way and there are illnesses that a new ferret can carry and possibly not have symptoms of. For these reasons I feel this is an important step to maintaining the health of my current business and monitoring the health of a new ferret.
This also provides any new ferret with a lot of one on one bonding time with me.
What my quarantine period consists of:
For me this period lasts anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, in my current situation it will be extended due to Stewies age and size.
During this time he will have his first vet visit, nothing major unless there is a problem. At this visit the vet will recheck things I already checked like for ear mite or external parasites, skin conditions and such, basically a physical. He will also get a poop sample to check for internal parasites.
I do not vaccinate currently and if I did it would be too soon for his to be done.
During this time period he has his own cage, playpen, toys, linen, water and food dishes (basically they aren't sharing anything atm) . Unfortunately I live in a very small house so he is kept as far from the others as possible. Until this time period is done he won't be in the same room as them.
To avoid possible cross contamination my hands are washed after handling him and my clothes get changed before going into the ferret room for playtimes or switching groups.
It might sound like a lot of worry or work but it really isn't and in the end I believe it is a needed extra precaution.
I hope this didn't come across as preachy and I hope others will add to it. I personally believe this is an important step to take that in our excitement we sometimes overlook.
Disclaimer: First let me say that I am absolutely not an expert I am always learning from the wonderful people here. I am not dictating how you should handle new ferrets. This is merely why and what I personally do and I am sure others have stricter or slacker ways that they handle it.
Why I feel this is an important step:
There are medical problems that may not show up right a way and there are illnesses that a new ferret can carry and possibly not have symptoms of. For these reasons I feel this is an important step to maintaining the health of my current business and monitoring the health of a new ferret.
This also provides any new ferret with a lot of one on one bonding time with me.
What my quarantine period consists of:
For me this period lasts anywhere from 2 weeks to a month, in my current situation it will be extended due to Stewies age and size.
During this time he will have his first vet visit, nothing major unless there is a problem. At this visit the vet will recheck things I already checked like for ear mite or external parasites, skin conditions and such, basically a physical. He will also get a poop sample to check for internal parasites.
I do not vaccinate currently and if I did it would be too soon for his to be done.
During this time period he has his own cage, playpen, toys, linen, water and food dishes (basically they aren't sharing anything atm) . Unfortunately I live in a very small house so he is kept as far from the others as possible. Until this time period is done he won't be in the same room as them.
To avoid possible cross contamination my hands are washed after handling him and my clothes get changed before going into the ferret room for playtimes or switching groups.
It might sound like a lot of worry or work but it really isn't and in the end I believe it is a needed extra precaution.
I hope this didn't come across as preachy and I hope others will add to it. I personally believe this is an important step to take that in our excitement we sometimes overlook.
