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

SEPTEMBER 1996

"Honey Starts a Business"

Veterinary Client-Privilege Under Attack!

Picture a knock at your door. You answer, and find an Animal Control Officer with a computerized list of all your pets, including information on what vaccines they have received, and when. If you are in violation of the numbers limit ordinances that are in effect in many Texas cities, you could be told at that moment to choose which 3 or 4 pets you will keep, and be forced to get rid of the rest or face significant fines. If your animals are not licensed as required in many Texas cities, you could be cited immediately for multiple violations. If you are keeping ferrets illegally, they could be removed and destroyed. At the very best, you privacy is at stake, and your veterinarian may be the unwilling accomplice.

In 1995, the Texas state Legislature was presented with a bill that would have revoked the section of the Texas Veterinary Practices Act that guarantees the confidentiality of your veterinary records. This bill is being resurrected for the 1997 Legislative Session, and will likely be backed once again by the Texas Municipal League under the guise of protecting citizens from the threat of rabies.

In 1995, the City of Fort Worth devised a plan to boost pet licensing income. The city made a blanket demand of local vets to provide vaccine records. Some complied, and others did not, invoking their client privilege under Texas law. Of those who did comply, records were checked against city licensing records. Clients whose pets had received vaccines but had not been licensed then received notices that they were in violation of city ordinance and subject to fines. Citizens were outraged, and now fear further reprisals due to the city's new ordinance that limits the number of pets to 4.

Nonplussed, Fort Worth Animal Control then sponsored a bill through the Texas Municipal League to revoke the section of the Texas Veterinary Practices Act that assures client privilege, with the rationale that this action would help local health departments to protect their citizens from the threat of rabies.

However, current law clearly allows animal control authorities and medical doctors to gain needed information from vets in specific cases involving bites and a need for that information.

The Texas Veterinary Medical Association actively opposed this action. The Veterinary community also objected to their private client records becoming public record and available to competitors. An amendment was offered to mollify this fear by stating that the records would not be public information; however, the constitutionality of this amendment would be questionable.

The bill did not pass in the 1995 Texas Legislature. In August 1996, however, the Fort Worth staff liaison with the TVMA was directed to pursue a second attempt.

The TVMA and individual veterinarians are currently being polled about their possible support of this issue. Contact your veterinarian immediately and make your feelings known and clear that you DO NOT support this bill and you wish to keep your veterinary records PRIVATE. Without veterinary support, it is hoped that the bill not be introduced at all. Let's keep our ferrets safe!

[Excerpted from the Summer, 1996 Coalition Newsletter, Coalition of Responsible Animal Owners of Texas, Inc.]


SEPTEMBER MEETING
FERRET PROOFING and FERRET SAFETY

Every ferret has their own unique set of talents for getting into trouble. However, there seem to be commonalities that we can share for keeping your house ferret-proofed and ferret safe:

Holes: Ferrets have flexible skeletal systems that allow them to squeeze into very small openings. Duct tape can be a good (but temporary) patch, until more permanent wood or other materials can be used to block openings. Check for quarter-sized or larger holes in: furniture, behind/under appliances, window frames and window screens, walls, around plumbing fixtures or drain pipes, floor vents, dryer vents, mail slots, fireplace grates/dampers/screens, dog/cat doors, and under cabinets.

Furniture: Ferret proof couches, upholstered furniture, mattresses, etc. by tacking hardboard, masonite, or heavy duty sheeting materials to the bottom. Ferrets like to climb inside, scratch up stuffing, and take naps. Be particularly careful of recliner chairs and sleeper sofas as ferrets love to crawl inside them and once opened or closed by a human, the ferret will get crushed. Recliners should always be in an upright position when ferrets are running loose! Recliners are a leading cause of accidental death in ferrets. It is best not to have them in the house. Keep stereo speakers out of reach before they turn into a cozy hiding place, and do not rock in a rocking chair while ferrets are at play.

Appliances: Ferret proof/block off around all appliances so ferrets have no access to wires, rubber, fiberglass insulation, motors, fans, other moving parts, etc. Check your dishwasher, refrigerator, washer/dryer, stove, water heater, airconditioner, fans, and fireplaces.

Electrical: Some ferrets are electrical cord chewers. Others might like to investigate exposed outlets. Spray cords with bitter apple, wrap cords, block cords, eliminate exposed outlets on appliances, lamps, clocks, stereo/tv equipment, computers, and any other electrical item.

Kitchen: Ferrets can open lower cabinet doors and climb inside. Unfortunately, they tend to enjoy the taste of detergents and cleaners, even though these things are not very healthy for them to eat. Take inventory of toxic items in your cabinets before your ferret does. Ferret-proof cabinets with magnetic catches, cabinet clasps, or baby proof latches (Tot-Lok is highly recommended - a key-based system with a powerful magnet). LOOK before you close the refrigerator door. LOOK before you close or run the dishwasher; many ferrets have drowned -- they cannot survive a wash cycle. Be careful of garbage disposal access, and don't carry your ferret out in the garbage (or in a purse, bag, etc.) Paper towel rolls can be dangerously fatal if your ferret gets his/her head wedged in the tube. Plastic grocery bags should be used as toys only under supervision. If you cannot supervise play to prevent suffocation, cut the bottoms or corners out of the plastic bags.

Laundry rooms are especially dangerous to ferrets. If possible, do not allow your ferret access, especially when you are doing the laundry. CHECK your laundry before you put it in a machine. A ferret may be snuggled in a piece of clothing! LOOK in the washer/dryer before you start the cycle. Ferrets have been known to survive a washing, but few make it through the dryer alive.

Bathrooms have many of the same dangers as kitchens. Secure cabinet doors and lower drawers. Keep the toilet seats DOWN; some ferrets have drowned. Disallow access to soap - ferrets seem to love to eat it, but it causes diarrhea and other intestinal problems. Toilet paper rolls are dangerous to ferrets because they like to push the tubes around with their noses and often get their heads jammed in the tube. The ferret may suffocate or choke to death on saliva. Cut the tubes open, or discard safely.

Plants: Ferrets love to dig! Keep your houseplants hanging from the ceiling, or out of ferret reach. Floor plants can be protected by encircling the plant and pot with a wall of acrylic sheeting, covering the pot with chicken wire, or putting heavy rocks on top of the plant dirt. Plants poisonous to ferrets include African Violet, Azalea, Begonia, Bittersweet, Caladium, Century Plant, Chrysanthemum, Daffodil, Dumb Cane, Elephant's Ear, Eucalyptus, Four o'clock, Hydrangea, Iris, Ivy (English and Baltic), Jimsom Weed/Thorn Apple, Marigold, Marijuana/Hemp, Mistletoe, Oleander, Peperonia, Petunia, Philodendron, Poinsettia, Poison Hemlock, Poison Ivy/Oak, Potato, Prayer Plant, Primrose, Rhubarb, Sago Palm, Sweet Violets, and Wormwood.

Windows: Ferrets are fascinated by fresh air coming from open windows! Check sliding windows and patio doors -- are they closed and locked? Ferrets can push these open. Are screens sturdy and intact? Small holes can be made larger quickly, and a determined ferret can slash through a modern nylon screen. Hardware cloth or metal screens are better, but not common.

Climbing: Ferrets do not have muscles in their legs that allow them to land safely on their feet as a dog or cat would. Therefore, use caution and do not allow them on high places where they could fall and damage their internal organs. Check for the climbability of draperies, fabric-covered furniture, screens, textured wallpaper, picture frames, etc. Some ferrets climb high by wedging themselves between the wall and the piece of furniture in front of the wall. Wicker furniture is a favorite climbing route, and the wicker may be destroyed in the process, leaving sharp spikes to poke eyes.

Ferrets Underfoot. You may find that ferrets insist on being constantly underfoot. You will learn to "shuffle" your feet when walking, as the ferrets run circles around you. You will quickly learn the importance of watching the floor for escapees every time the front door is opened. Ferrets have a knack for knowing when the knob is turned, even from other rooms in the house, and can be squeezing through the closing doorway before you know they are there. One safety precaution is to fit your ferret with a collar, bell, and ID. The bell will alert you to the ferret's presence, and the ID can be invaluable if your ferret escapes out the door. It is also important to remember that ferrets enjoy tunneling under things, so be careful where you step when your ferret is out of his cage. He may have decided to take a nap under a rug, or in the leg of the pants you left on the floor. Unfortunately, some ferrets make no noise at all when they are in pain. Ferrets have delicate bones that are easily crushed. Additionally, internal organs are easily ruptured. If your ferret has been stepped on or crushed, see a vet immediately!

Ingestibles: Besides household chemicals, soaps, and poisonous plants, ferrets may also ingest other items that cause dangerous (and sometimes fatal) intestinal blockages. Favorite items are made of rubber or plastic, such as pencil erasers, doorstops, rubber feet on appliances or furniture, pen caps, buttons from remote controls, etc. Some ferrets like to ingest fabrics (preferably sweaty) such as socks, pantyhose, waistbands, or drawstrings. If your ferret is vomiting, lethargic, or has very watery diarrhea, feed a cat laxative product immediately, and see a vet.

Summoning Your Ferret: For safety's sake, train your ferret to come when summoned. A squeaky toy may be the easiest way to get your ferret to respond, come to you, or remove itself from a dangerous situation. Other noises (or a flashing light for those deaf ferrets) may also work.
GOOD LUCK, and keep a safe and happy ferret family home!

FERRET OF THE MONTH COVER PHOTO - "HONEY"

Honey Starts a Business
Honey, one of Kathy Lucy's ferrets, had nine (!) kits, born on the 15th of July from 9:30-11:30 a.m. The photo shows Honey and her babies at 3.5 weeks. The father is Ming (Patty Israelson's panda ferret). Honey showed no signs of pregnancy until her last week. She has been a wonderful mom, and both Honey and Kathy are to be commended for all nine babies surviving (mortality rates are common for ferret babies, and especially so for large litters). The babies are now 2 months old, and five are still available. Contact Kathy at UnoHeart@aol.com

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.

Super Blue Green Animal Food Available from FLC member

For animals, just as for human beings, prevention is always the key to consistent good health. Super Blue Green Animal Food is a blend of coarse-grade Alpha Sun and Omega Sun Algae, providing the fundamental building blocks for strengthening your animal's immune systems. For all your pets you'll find that this is the "ultimate superfood." One-third teaspoon sprinkled on each pound of your pet's food works out to be the ideal "ounce of prevention"! The broad spectrum of organic minerals, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, and the rich supply of beta carotene and chlorophyll found in SBGA, is readily absorbed by your pet.
Animal experts agree that animals are biologically designed to eat raw, enzyme-rich food. When you stop to think about it, feeding our pets highly processed, canned, or packaged foods laden with chemicals and pesticides is like feeding ourselves junk food! SBG Animal Food offers a wonderfully simple way to give your animal friends the natural nutrition they so desperately need.
Cell Tech's SBG Enzymes, Super CoQ10, and Super Sprouts &;Algae are all designed to increase health and vitality. They are fantastic additions to your pet's diet. (Editor's note: this stuff is great for ferrets AND horses! - Erika)
For more information, contact Paul at PDB Enterprises, Distributor # 464216693 at 214-412-7221.

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