Potential Ferret Owner With Vet Questions

[Deleted]

Hey! I'm looking into getting a ferret in the next few months, not wanting to rush anything. Never owned one before. These are probably really dumb questions, just want to be sure I have things straight!

I'm not finding much info on vaccination timelines and such. I would most likely get the ferret from our local pet store (unless one pops up on craigslist or a shelter). How soon after I get it would it need to go visit a vet? The ones they normally have are around 12 weeks old. Do I get it and immediately take it to get a check up/vaccines? Or only if I notice something wrong...?

My other question is how much do the vaccines and check ups cost per year if nothing is wrong? No extra medication, injuries, ect.

Thanks so much!
-catsnake

[unclejoe]

Hi and welcome to the forum. I'm glad that you've decided to look into costs before you got your ferret.

You should find a vet that has ferret experience before you adopt one. Ask them about the costs of vaccines and office visits. The should only need an annual checkup for the first 2-3 years. Once they get 3-4 they should have their blood glucose checked every 6 months or so to check for insulinoma.

A lot of people recommend you keep an emergency vet fund of $500-$1000. Ferrets can get themselves into trouble. That said, you should at last get your ferret's second distemper booster. Distemper is fatal, and may contracted if he ever goes outside. Once the booster has been given he shouldn't ever need another.
Rabies is almost unheard of in domestic ferrets, but many municipalities require it. It won't become an issue unless your ferret bites someone and they decide to make an issue of it. You could also be asked by a cop or ranger for proof if you take him out in public, but it's never happened to us. We do't do rabies for our ferrets because it's a bit risky that they will have a reaction to the vaccine, especially after they've had 2-3 annual shots, and the chances of them encountering an infected wild animal and SURVIVING, and you getting him back is virtually nil. He'd have to escape, get bit by a carrier and come home. You'd certainly never let him encounter a wild or suspicious animal while he was under your control. We had a 4 year old female ferret that came so close to dying from a rabies shot we'll never do it again unless court ordered.

Depending on where you live, a couple hundred bucks a years should be more than enough to vet a healthy ferret the first few years.

[Deleted]

Nov 22, 2016 19:22:59 GMT -5 @catsnake said:

Hey! I'm looking into getting a ferret in the next few months, not wanting to rush anything. Never owned one before. These are probably really dumb questions, just want to be sure I have things straight!

I'm not finding much info on vaccination timelines and such. I would most likely get the ferret from our local pet store (unless one pops up on craigslist or a shelter). How soon after I get it would it need to go visit a vet? The ones they normally have are around 12 weeks old. Do I get it and immediately take it to get a check up/vaccines? Or only if I notice something wrong...?

My other question is how much do the vaccines and check ups cost per year if nothing is wrong? No extra medication, injuries, ect.

Thanks so much!
-catsnake

See a vet as soon as you bring the ferret home, preferably before you bring it home.
After your first initial visit, you may need to visit again in a month or so until you complete vaccinations. After all that is done, you can see a vet once yearly for additional booster shots and wellness checks. Within the first half an hour, you can just watch your ferret, if you see any signs of reaction, go back to the vet. You can also ask about reactions or concerns with your vet.  The cost for vaccines depends on what you are vaccinating for and what clinic you're going to. Every clinic has their own prices. They could be anywhere from $20-$60 (per vaccine) It may or may not include the price of consultation. Call up your local vet and ask them for the price information to get a better idea on potential costs. You can also ask about their costs for a consultation, which is also on top of the vaccination costs, and any other costs needed for that visit. If the ferret is healthy, you shouldn't need any extra medications, however like Unclejoe said, it is always best to have some savings put away as accidents can happen and it is better to be prepared in advance. Also ask your local vet if they have an emergency service, if not, locate one and keep numbers on file for emergencies.

[Sherry]

I honestly don't do booster shots once initial vaccinations are done. But a yearly wellness check is mandatory. Price will vary by where you live.