Ferret Footnotes
Monthly Newsletter of the
Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas

AUGUST 1996

Sir Tooksalot Du Squeak

FERRETS LEGAL IN PLANO!

The Animal Advisory Board to the Plano City council issued their draft ordinance for ferrets on Friday, August 9. The City Council met to vote on the policy on Monday, August 12. FLC-TX members were present to ask that 3 parts of the policy be changed: (1) mandatory euthanasia, (2) mandatory spay/neuter, and (3) a muzzle requirement.
After presentations by 2 PETA representatives (who argued that we were "forcing domestication" on wild ferrets, and they would breed like rabbits and establish feral colonies), Erika Matulich, Patty Israelson, Kim Black, and Debra Thomason presented arguments.
After a lengthy discussion, the ordinance was amended such that ferrets would be euthanized (with or without a rabies vaccine) only if requested by the bite victim, otherwise the ferret would be quarantined, ferrets no longer had to wear muzzles, and there is still a mandatory spay/neuter ruling. The resultant ordinance is still based on some fear and ignorance on the part of the Plano City Council, but the policy is a VAST improvement over previous policies that made ferrets and their owners criminals.
Until the ordinance is officially released and posted as public record, ferrets are still illegal. We expect "ferret freedom" time in Plano to be in mid September. At a later date, when U.S. ferret rabies shedding studies are released, we can go back to Plano and ask that the euthanasia for a properly vaccinated ferret be removed.

What is Next on the Legal Front?

At this time, Fort Worth and Garland are in the process of revising their animal control policies. We would like to get appropriate ferret language added to the new policies and make ferrets LEGAL in these two cities. Ferrets are still illegal in many cities in Texas, including Addison, Allen, Beaumont, Carrollton, Coppell, Denton, Euless, Fort Hood, Killeen, Rowlett, and San Antonio.
For the Fort Worth and Garland legalization battles, we need VOLUNTEERS who are residents of those cities to help us speak up for the rights of ferrets. Please contact Debra Thomason, FLC-TX legal coordinator, to volunteer your help @ (817) 485-7344 or ferret@innocent.com

AUGUST MEETING

DISTEMPER ALERT!

The proposed topic of the August meeting, Ferret-Proofing, was delayed until the September meeting, due to Plano legalization issues and a distemper outbreak. There has been a distemper outbreak in Lewisville and Plano. Make sure your ferret has a current canine distemper vaccination!

Canine distemper is a virus (paramyxovirus) that is shed from the infected animal through the nasal secretions (sneezing), eye discharges, urine, feces, and skin debris. Pregnant ferrets can also transmit it through the placenta to their unborn babies. These materials can be "aerosolized" and another animal can breath this in and become infected. A person may get these materials on their clothing, shoes, or hands and transmit it to another ferret in this manner. This means the disease can be transmitted without your pet having direct contact with an infected ferret. You can transmit it unknowingly on clothes or hands, or it can travel through the air.
The virus attacks many tissues of the body such as the gastrointestinal tract, bladder, lymph nodes, spleen, salivary glands, skin, adrenal glands, lungs, and brain. It depresses the body's immune system and makes it incapable of fighting disease properly. The pet dies from a combination of the direct effects of the virus on various organs and from all the secondary bacterial and viral infections that attack the body, and the damaged immune system is unable to fight off.

Canine distemper is 99.5% fatal in the ferret, so once they have it, treatment is difficult, expensive, and often futile. PROTECT BY VACCINATION. The ferret may take from 7 to 21 days from the date of exposure to start showing signs of the disease. There are a variety of signs, but usually it starts with an eye discharge that becomes yellow or green and sticky followed by the eyelids becoming swollen. This infection rarely responds to antibiotic medications. Next there is nasal discharge, swelling of the lips and chin, and thick crusts that form on the eyes, nose, chin, and lips. The ferret becomes more lethargic, and loses its appetite. Diarrhea may develop. As the disease progresses, there may be swelling of the anus, thickening and hardening of the pads of the feet, and orange crusting of the skin in the abdominal and anal areas. Finally there are muscular tremors, hyperexcitability, convulsions, and death.
Each ferret is an individual and some ferrets go directly to the convulsion and hyperexcitable stage without any discharges. There is no other disease in the ferret that has the characteristic crusting of the lips or chin and hardening of the pads all occurring at the same time. Diagnosis is based primarily on signs. If the pet is not exhibiting "typical" distemper signs, and one wants to check for the disease, your veterinarian may wish to run specific tests to confirm the problem (expensive). Animals diagnosed with canine distemper are normally euthanized because the disease difficult and expensive to treat, and even with treatment, survival is not guaranteed. The treatment is a transfusion of a serum made from the blood of well-vaccinated ferrets. To let a pet die "naturally" of the disease is a cruel choice, unless your vet thinks recovery is likely with treatment.

DISTEMPER VACCINATIONS: Your ferret needs an annual canine (NOT feline) distemper vaccination -- either the USDA-approved Fervac-D (by United Vaccine), or Galaxy-D (by Solvay), which is not specifically approved for use in ferrets, but has shown to be effective in practical use. Some people have reported anaphylactic shock reactions 30 minutes to 3 hours after using the Fervac-D vaccine. To reduce the risk associated with this reaction, there are several safety measures you can take. First, do not give rabies and distemper shots at the same time. These shots should be given ideally 6 months apart, otherwise at least 2 weeks apart. Second, plan to stay at your vet's office at least 30 minutes after the shot, to check for reactions. Symptoms include lethargy, vomiting, drooling, loss of bowel control, and coma. Should a reaction occur, a swift response will save your ferret's life. In case of a reaction, you or your vet needs to administer an anti-histamine. The most common is 1:10,000 epinephrine given subcutaneously. If you are at home and you see the beginnings of a reaction, you can orally administer children's benadryl (1/2 teaspoon) before going to the vet, but never give liquids to an unconscious pet!
The distemper vaccination can protect your pet for up to 14 months (although it is valid for only 12 months), but this protection time can diminish if: (1) your ferret was ill during the vaccination; (2) the ferret had secondary problems at the time of the shot (such as lymphoma, insulinoma, or adrenal disease); or (3) your ferret has had repeated exposures to distemper and fought the disease off (each exposure weakens the protection). Keep vaccinations current!

FERRET OLYMPICS RULES AND REGULATIONS

GENERAL GUIDELINES
1.NO SMOKING will be permitted in the show room.
2.No food or drinks are permitted in the show room.
3.All children must be accompanied by responsible, considerate adults inside the show room.
4.No animal other than a ferret will be allowed in the show hall.
5.No stud service will be allowed in the show hall.
6.FLC reserves the right to refuse entry or expel any individual, vendor, or animal.
7.Ferrets cannot be sold or adopted out during this event.

FERRET GUIDELINES
1.Health Records. All ferrets entering the show must prove current vaccination status. Failure to provide this will bar admittance.

a.Proof of distemper vaccine for ALL ferrets. Canine distemper is an airborne disease that is highly contagious to domestic ferrets. To avoid possibilities of an epidemic, all ferrets must have current vaccination records for canine distemper. Acceptable forms of proof are a receipt from a veterinarian, receipt from a pharmacy or other vendor showing the purchase of the vaccine, plus a certificate from an FLC-recognized shelter.

- either Fervac-D (United Vaccine) or Galaxy-D (Solvay).

- vaccine administered at least 7 days prior to the show.

- vaccine administered within 12 months prior to the show.

b.Proof of rabies vaccine for any ferret 3 months of age or older. The Texas Department of Health requires a rabies vaccine for your ferret in the interest of public safety. This vaccine may also prevent euthanasia of your pet in a reported bite incident. Acceptable forms of proof are a receipt from a veterinarian, or certificate from an FLC-recognized shelter.

- must be the IMRAB-3 vaccine (by Rhone Merieux).

- vaccine administered at least 7 days prior to the show

- vaccine administered within 12 months prior to the show

c.ECE history. You will be asked to provide information about whether your ferrets have ever contracted epizootic catarrhal enteritis (the "greenies") and provide a signed disclaimer/waiver form that acknowledges the risk of this disease.

2.Veterinary Health Inspection. All ferrets must be inspected by the show veterinarians before being admitted to the show room. Show vets will determine any health concerns dealing with ferrets. You will be asked to identify if your ferret has had ECE. A ferret may be barred from entering the show room if:

a.a jill is pregnant or in heat (any swelling of the vulva).

b.the ferret is in poor condition or lethargic (such as runny nose or eyes, or diarrhea).

c.the ferret is less than 6 months of age (for contest entry purposes).

d.the ferret's behavior is uncontrollable or dangerous.

e.appropriate kennelling is not provided (see below).

3.Housing. All ferrets must be housed in a clean cage or kennel.

a.Fresh water must be available.

b.Fresh food must be available.

c.A litterbox with fresh litter must be provided.

d.Bedding should be provided.

FERRET OLYMPICS
Sponsors/Vendors Options

Everyone is invited to support the Ferret Olympics. There are several ways you can get involved!

1.VOLUNTEER TIME. We would appreciate your volunteering two hours of your time to help out with timing contests, taking admissions, checking entries, policing the kennel area, performing vet checks, or other items. Please let us know! Admission is free for volunteers.

2. DONATIONS. We also accept any donations of products or discount coupons for use as prizes. Any cash donation to support the show in general will also be appreciated.-

Every donation's sponsor will be boldly noted in the show catalog. -

To have an FLC-TX staff member pick up donated items, call metro (817) 498-1470 or drop off items at the next meeting.

3. ADVERTISING. To promote any messages, products, or services you may have to offer, you can purchase an advertisement in our Ferret Olympics catalog. The catalog will be distributed to all who attend, as well as all FLC-TX members. The cost for this is:
Full page ad - $20 1/2 page ad - $15
1/4 page ad - $10 1/8 page ad - $5

4. CONTEST SPONSORSHIP. Sponsor a contest with a donation of only $15 per contest. This provides trophies and ribbons for the contest winners.-

For your donation, you will receive a free 1/4 page of advertisement per contest in our catalog. You provide the camera-ready art.-

Sponsors will be announced at each contest.

5. BOOTH RESERVATION. You can reserve a booth at the Ferret Olympics for only $30. This provides the opportunity to have products or literature available while spectators are most interested.-

Anyone selling or promoting anything must pay for a booth.-

Due to health considerations, ferrets CANNOT be sold or adopted out during this event, although reservations/applications can be accepted. Any display ferrets must be at least 8 weeks old, show proof of vaccination, and be checked at the door by the attending vet.-

Food and drink cannot be sold at this event.-

The booth comes with a free 1/2 page ad in the catalog. You provide the camera-ready art.-

Tables and chairs will be supplied. Booth setup must be complete by 12:00 noon.

All fees and artwork must be postmarked by September 18, 1996. Contact the Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas if you have any questions, at metro (817) 498-1470.


FERRET OF THE MONTH COVER PHOTO - "TOOK"

In Memory of Sir Tooksalot Du Squeak

In 1993 he needed a new home, and we gave him a loving and protective one. He sent us to the library and accompanied us to the vet so we could learn of his many needs; we selfishly gave him the fulfilling happy life he wanted. He patiently trained us in the games he loved best; we eagerly awaited his signal to begin. His presence brought warmth to our souls and laughter to our hearts. We can only hope that he knows how honored we were to have shared his life. We will always miss him.-

Family of Sir Tooksalot Du Squeak

Would you like your ferret to be featured as a cover photo? Send photographs to the editor (see page 2), and with a SASE, they will be returned. Be sure to identify the ferret in the photo, include any pertinent information, and mark the photo with your name and address.

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