Questions About Supplements & Vaccines

[Deleted]

Hi there!
I have two questions for you!

1. I plan on getting a ferret in the future and I have decided to go with the Nature's Variety raw frozen diet. I had a question about what sort of things would be beneficial as extra supplements in my ferrets diet.

These are some things that were recommended to me:
-Salmon Oil
-Taurine Powder
-Eggshell Powder
-Canned Pumpkin

So my question is, how much and how often these things should be given?

2. The other thing I was wondering about was vaccines. I know some people aren't into the idea and I'd like some more information on it. What are the pros and cons? Should they be given? For example, I heard distemper shots are important because distemper is deadly to ferrets. Also, how do you deal with situations like when a vet recommends something you don't believe in, and they insist on it? I'm not very good under pressure and I don't want to get suckered into something that might not be a good decision.

Any advice on these topics is appreciated. Thanks!

[Heather]

I supplement as little as possible....but I use all of the things on your list
salmon oil, great treat....the guys love it
Taurine powder....definitely if you're using premade or commercial diets.
eggshell powder....only if there's no bone in your commercial mix. If there is bone then don't bother
canned pumpkin... I add pumpkin to all my ground meats, others do not and only keep it on hand for stool control and blockages.

Vaccines...that is something you're going to have to draw your own conclusion on. There is a lot of information on the forum, it's not something that someone can tell you what to do about. It's what you're comfortable with. There are 2 vaccines for ferrets.....canine distemper and rabies. One is law... rabies and other is preventative... distemper and is not manditory. I do neither and my vet understands this and accepts it. Just because you give your ferret a distemper vaccine doesn't mean it won't get it. In fact your vaccinated ferret will just as likely get it, and die as mine. Many people are now vaccinating their ferrets once in their lifetime. Usually at around 6 months. Their immunities are developed and there is nothing left of the mother's immunity to confuse the immune response. If you remember that a vaccine is not a preventative but a chance then you will be better able to understand and make a choice.
Ferrets are very prone to reacting to their vaccines. Distemper vaccines appear to be the worst but I've also heard of people ferrets reacting to the rabies too. It appears to happen on subsequent vaccines which is why many are opting for the one only rule. This isn't a decision to be made lightly, there are risks no matter which way you play the game.
ciao

[Deleted]

Thanks so much, I appreciate the detailed response I just have one more thing, if I was to supplement taurine, do you know how much per meal should be used?

[Sherry]

With the taurine supplement since NV contains heart I'd supplement 1/2 a 500mg capsule a day per ferret.
I also only do a vaccine at 6m, then another booster one year later and that's it. The reason for waiting until 6m is the mother's antibodies are still in the system, and in some aren't clear until near that time. The reason for the series of 3 are BECAUSE the antibodies are active. So I just wait.

[Deleted]

There's no need for the eggshell if feeding NVI or S7C's, these are pretty bone heavy I've found. The rest are great to have on hand. I also toss raw egg into my mix on occasion as a treat, or just feed them by themselves.

Personally for vaccines I give mine the distemper series once they're 6 months old, and a first rabies shot (required by law here) and that's it. Local law says they need a rabies vaccine every year, but I refuse to keep doing it as it's pointless and wasteful. If I can point out that they are likely still covered with a titer and safe to humans, that'll do for me.

[Deleted]

Ok awesome If I was to use the powder taurine instead of capsules, how much would be good per meal? Would a pinch be good, or should I measure a certain amount?

[Sherry]

Since he(or she) is going to be getting heart in the grinds, then yes- a pinch a day should be fine

[Deleted]

Alrighty, thanks