Ferret Footnotes

Monthly Newsletter of the
Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas

OCTOBER 1997
Ferret Olympics Results!

DR. BRUCE WILLIAMS SPEAKS IN SAN ANTONIO
Report by Debra Thomason
V.P. of Legal Affairs, FLC-TX

On October 14, Texas had the pleasure of welcoming Dr. Bruce Williams as a speaker at a meeting of the Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County (VMABC). I believe this event was very positive for ferrets and ferret owners. It was reasonably well attended by vets and their technicians, both local and out-of-town, ferret club and shelter representatives, and Dr. James Wright, the new Director of Zoonosis Control for the Texas Department of Health. We are fortunate to have new leadership in the Zoonosis Control Division that is interested in learning about our special pets, and who expressed to ferret enthusiasts his distaste for policies that require the destruction and testing of ferrets reported in potential rabies exposures simply because they are ferrets.

The San Antonio Area Ferret Enthusiasts (SAFE) made organized ferret groups look very good by acting as sponsors to this meeting of the VMABC. A small, but ample, buffet was provided by the club to the meeting attendees. Dr. Bruce Williams was then enthusiastically introduced by the VMABC and began his thorough presentation. He had a plethora of slides of ferrets exhibiting all manor of conditions that may afflict our furry friends along with the pathologic slides representing laboratory diagnosis of various diseases and neoplasias. Most of the audience appeared receptive to his information-- I could hear people around me remarking on pieces of knowledge Dr. Williams shared when it was unexpected. It was gratifying to be around people who were willing and interested to actually learn about ferrets instead of dismissing them or clinging to the "old-wives' tales" we are familiar with! Some of the mythical issues that confront ferret owners regularly, such as biting and rabies, were deftly dealt with by giving the information that was needed and then firmly dismissing the notion that ferrets have problems in these areas that make them unsuitable pets.

Opinions that might be of interest to ferret owners who follow these debates were presented on the frequent occurrences of neoplasia in ferrets and reactions to distemper vaccines. Dr. Williams clearly stated that he believes that US ferrets have had the problems with cancers bred into them. He feels that breeding "color-diluted" ferrets (in other words, crossing albino and sable lines to create fancy patterns and colors) has resulted in genetic flaws that lead to neoplasia, among ther problems. He also cautioned care in choosing and administering canine distemper vaccines. He made it quite clear that while FerVac is the only canine distemper vaccine USDA approved for use in ferrets, it is not his choice of vaccine for his ferrets. Severe anaphylactic reactions in ferrets as much as 30 minutes after the vaccination were reported to occur in at least 2% of ferrets vaccinated with FerVac.

There have apparently been several outbreaks of canine distemper in vaccinated populations of ferrets on the East Coast in which FerVac had been the vaccine used. Dr. Williams was quite clear that he was NOT saying that the vaccine had induced distemper in these animals, just that the vaccine had failed to protect them. This was true even in some cases where the vaccine was properly administered by licensed veterinarians.

Dr. Williams also painted ferret owners in a favorable light, telling his audience that ferret owners do not regard their pets as throw-away animals and are interested in getting quality care for their pets, even when that care is somewhat expensive. He also recommended ferret owners as a well-informed group, observant about the health and behaviors of their pets. Clubs, shelters, and the Internet were presented as additional resources for those who had further questions, with communication with local ferret lovers stressed as valuable.

During breaks and after the presentation two ferrets from the SAFE shelter were available to be handled by attendees who wanted to get to know a ferret a little better. A healthy 11-month old male and an older female with classic symptoms of adrenal disease represented the species well. It was a 2.5 hour presentation, and I believe it was a credit to the speaker and the event that several folks stayed an extra 15-30 minutes to talk personally to Dr. Williams and to visit the ferrets.

Congratulations SAFE on a job well done!

FERRET OLYMPICS OFFICIAL EVENT RESULTS!

These are the official results of the October 4, 1997 Ferret Olympics held in Grand Prairie, TX. Also see www.flash.net/~txlotrpt

1. MAZE RACE: Ferrets are judged on best time, as recorded by the judge's stopwatch. Time is measured from when the ferret enters the maze to when they have completely exited the maze (tail not included). Exhibitor/handlers may not touch the ferret or the maze once the ferret enters the maze. Food/treats cannot be used to entice the ferret through the maze, although other forms of encouragement are permitted. After 3 minutes, the ferret is disqualified.

MAZE RACE RESULTS: (Sponsor: J.R. and Linda Davis)

1st Place: Houdini (Sherry Salafia) 24 seconds
2nd Place: Barley (Michelle Mangan) 38 seconds
3rd Place: Misty (Erika Matulich) 46 seconds

2. LONGEST KISSER CONTEST: Exhibitors/handlers must wipe their face clean before the heat begins. No lotions or ferret treat products can be used on the face. Ferrets are judged on longest continuous kissing time (a pause of more than 10 seconds discontinues the time). Ferrets over 2 minutes will compete in a "kiss-off."

LONGEST KISSER CONTEST RESULTS: (Sponsor: Ferret Specialties)

1st Place: Mandy (Holly Chant) 3 minutes 30 seconds
2nd Place: Christopher (Michael Runyon) 3 minutes
3rd Place: Fruity Pebbles (Diana Garcia) 50 seconds

3. BEST WEASEL WAR DANCE: At least two independent judges (attending veterinarians) will rate each ferret dance on a scale of 1-10. Highest average score wins. The exhibitor/handler has 5 seconds to get their ferret "started" after which point judging will begin. Points are awarded on the basis of ferret dance energy/acrobatics, audience applause, and duration of dancing. Points are deducted for continued human intervention and assistance or the presence of special devices (toys, etc.) to entice the ferret.

BEST WEASEL WAR DANCE RESULTS: (Sponsor: Ferret Madness)

1st Place: Cosmo (Holly Chant)
2nd Place: Pitter Pat (Kathy Lucy)
3rd Place: (Safari & Peppi) Staci Warren

4. PAPER SACK ESCAPE: Ferrets are judged on best time, as recorded by the judges' stopwatches. Time is measured from when the ferret is placed in the bag to when they have completely exited from the bag (tail not included). Exhibitor/handlers may not touch the ferret or the bag once the ferret is placed. Food/treats cannot be used to entice the ferret; other forms of encouragement are permitted.

PAPER SACK ESCAPE RESULTS: (Sponsor: Winn Dixie)

1st Place: Zell (Michael Runyon) 2.97 seconds
2nd Place: Daisy (Blanca Martinez) 6.78 seconds
3rd Place: Romeo (Karen Farrow) 6.87 seconds

5. BOBBING FOR RAISINS: Five raisins will be placed in a dish of water. Ferrets will be timed as to how fast they can retrieve ONE of the five raisins. The clock will start when the handler releases the ferret and will stop when the raisin has cleared the edge of the dish. Time limit: 60 seconds.

BOBBING FOR RAISINS RESULTS: (Sponsor: Kozy Kingdom Internet Services )

1st Place: Zell (Michael Runyon) 27 seconds
2nd Place: Buddy (Linda Davis) 40 seconds
3rd Place: Buddy (Linda Davis) 60 seconds

6. HEAVIEST MALE: Ferrets are weighed upon entry to the show. Highest weight wins for the ferrets officially entered in that contest and who have weight cards turned in within 10 minutes of call.

HEAVIEST MALE RESULTS:

1st Place: Sebastian (Linda Davis) 4 lbs. 14 oz.
2nd Place: Teddy Bear (Kathy Lucy) 4 lbs. 2 oz.
3rd Place: Sebastian (Amy Seaver) 3 lbs. 14 oz.

7. LIGHTEST FEMALE: Ferrets are weighed upon entry to the show. Lowest weight wins for the ferrets officially entered in that contest and who have weight cards turned in within 10 minutes of call.

LIGHTEST FEMALE RESULTS:

1st Place: Misty (Erika Matulich) 1 lb. 5 oz.
2nd Place: Pitter Pat (Kathy Lucy) 1 lb. 6 oz.
3rd Place: Christmas (Nancy Judd) 1 lb. 6.5 oz.

8. BEST FERRET TRICK: Two independent judges will rate each ferret trick on a scale of 1-10. Highest average score wins. The exhibitor/handler has 10 seconds to get their ferret "placed" after which point judging will begin. Points are awarded on the basis of ferret cooperation (trick completion), audience applause, and trick difficulty. Food/treats can be used as an enticement.

BEST FERRET TRICK RESULTS: (Sponsor: San Antonio Area Ferret Enthusiasts)

1st Place: Samantha Jane (Trisha Newsom) 3 different tricks for one treat!
2nd Place: Sonja (Blanca Martinez) Multiple rollovers and a situp
3rd Place: Little Bear (Erika Matulich) Multiple rollovers

9. CUP TIP: A matrix array of 22 cups will be placed in a 4x4 checkerboard design on the floor. The ferret will be placed in the center of the cup array and will have 60 seconds to knock over as many cups as possible. One point will be awarded for each cup. The clock will start when the handler releases the ferret. The handler must exit the ring after release and cannot assist in tipping of cups.

CUP TIP RESULTS: (Sponsor: The Waggin' Wagon mobile pet salon)

1st Place (tie): Sweetums (John McKee) and Clapton (Carol Seymore) 8 cups
2nd Place: Slinky (Erika Matulich) 7 cups
3rd Place: Sebastian (Linda Davis) 6 cups

10. TUBE RACE: Ferrets are judged on best time, as recorded by the judge's stopwatch. Time is measured from when the ferret enters the entry box to when they have completely exited the tube (tail not included). Exhibitor/handlers may not touch the ferret or the tubes once the ferret enters the box. Food/treats and other forms of encouragement are permitted.

TUBE RACE RESULTS: (Sponsor: Sidley & Austin Law Firm

1st Place: Little Bear (Erika Matulich) 12.66 seconds
2nd Place: Bandit (Traci Kitts) 16.19 seconds
3rd Place: Victoria (John Neemidge) 16.69 seconds

11. MOST YAWNS IN A MINUTE: Judges will count the number of full yawns (back teeth can be seen) that a ferret performs in one minute. Judges' decisions are final.

YAWNING CONTEST RESULTS:

1st Place: Weezer (Mia Jelinek) 6 yawns
2nd Place(tie): Minnie (Amy Seaver) and Daisy (Blanca Martinez) 4 yawns
3rd Place: Pinky McPudge (Traci Kitts) 2 yawns

12. BEST-DRESSED/COSTUME: At least two independent judges will rate each ferret costume on a scale of 1-10. Highest average score wins. The exhibitor/handler will walk around the ring to encourage audience applause. Points are awarded on creativity, audience applause, and overall appeal.

BEST-DRESSED/COSTUME RESULTS: (Sponsor: Dr. Roger Kendrick, DVM, Bowen Rd. Animal Clinic)

1st Place: Nip dressed as a hippie (Alex Burnette)
2nd Place: Safari dressed as a chili pepper (Staci Warren)
3rd Place: Arthur, Bijoux, Suni, Peanut, & Tiki: the Camelot Group (Matthew Stevens)
Honorable Mention: Sebastian as a surfer/skier (Amy Searer)

THANKS TO ALL OUR SPONSORS AND ENTRANTS!

FERRET OLYMPICS DONORS

We would like to thank the following donors of raffle and other items. Their generous support helped raise over $400 for educational programs, legalization efforts, and shelter support. Thank You!

PETCO: $25 Gift Certificate, Corner Sleeper

Performance Foods, Inc.: Totally Ferret Food - Samples

Acme Ferret Co. (Ann Davis): 2 Ferret Rubber Stamp Kits

Iams Company: 16.5 lb Eukanuba Lamb & Rice Cat Food; 2 certificates for 8 lb. bags Iams Kitten Food

Fuzz Busters Ferret Lovers' Club: Stained Glass Ferret

Ferret Madness: Ferret Snuggle Sack

Ferret Specialties (Steve Hightower): 10 5# bags Totally Ferret, 10 Ferret Pins

Ferret Reflections/Kathy Nelton: Coasters, Mouse Pad, 3 T-shirts

Helena Chung-Hawks: Ferret Books

Chantel & John Strange: Ladybug Fort by Cozy Kritters

Chris Snoberger: Ferret Bowl; 2 Carrier Kits (Crock-Loc bowls & water bottles)

Mia Jelinek: Ferret Starter Kit

Kathy Lucy: COMPLETE Ferret First Aid Kit

Blanca Martinez: Corner Sleeper

Erika Matulich: "Wanted" Ferret T-shirt

John H. Porter: Garden edging for floor competition rings

Sidley & Austin Law Firm: Archive boxes for tube race

American Marketing Association - TCU Chapter: Name tags & table cloths

Ferret Lovers' Club of Texas: "Guardian Angel" for Ferrets

Winn Dixie Food Stores: Paper Bags

Fieldstone Park Horse Facility: 2-way radios, microphone

FERRET OLYMPICS VOLUNTEERS

We would like to thank the following volunteers for their generous support and time. Their efforts have made the Ferret Olympics possible

Bart Barham - Club Table
Trish Curtis - Shelter Operator
Linda Davis - Show Coordinator
J.R. Davis - Setup, Show Props
John Erik Ege - Admissions
Laura Ellis - Vet Table
Sarah Ellis - Raffle
Karen Farrow - Club Table, Signs
Larry Fewell - Admissions, Show Props
Marlene Indermark - Photography
Mia Jelinek - Shelter Table
Melissa Key - Shelter Table
Robin Langley - Shelter Table, Ferret Facts
Kathy Lucy - Photography, Costumes
Blanca Martinez - Club Secretary
Erika Matulich - Announcer
Michael Runyon - Database and Late Entries
Zachary Stafford - Raffle
Chris Snoberger - Club Table, Ferret Facts
Debra & Scott Thomason - Legal Coordinators; Judges
Nathan & Heather Viles - Club Table; Event Timing
- And Many More!

AND A BIG ROUND OF THANKS TO OUR ATTENDING VETERINARIANS:

Dr. Jerry Murray, DVM
Animal Clinic of Farmers Branch

Dr. Bonnie S. Harris, DVM
Arlington Animal Hospital

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS!

A big Welcome to new members for the month of OCTOBER:

Critter Care Clinic. Dr. Carlos N. Gibbs, DVM (Fort Worth, TX)

Susie Bloomingdale (Sulphur Springs, TX), owned by Dino, Patsy, Jack, Lisa, and Stubbles

Carol Broney (Fort Worth, TX), owned by Fidget, Freda, Bugs, and CoCo

Karen Decker (Plano, TX), owned by Lars and Lizzie

Dee Giles (Sulphur Springs, TX)

Marty and Dena Kantz (Arlington, TX), owned by Clair

Aileen Koanier (Fort Worth, TX), owned by Kudi and Tomo

John C. McKee (Irving, TX), owned by Sweetums

Lori Romeo (Arlington, TX), owned by Louie and Sophie

FERRET OF THE MONTH COVER PHOTO

The little Halloween Goblin, Oscar, ferrets around the Jack-O'Lantern! Oscar is a four-year old sable male ferret who greets trick or treaters and is dressed for the occasion! Oscar lives with FLC-TX members Scott and Sandy Beaird in Hurst, TX. Oscar had to withdraw himself from the Ferret Olympics due to not feeling well enough to compete (suspected insulinoma; currently undergoing tests). Tell Oscar not to eat too much Halloween candy, and we all wish him well!

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

SHELTER FEATURE FERRETS

READY TO ADOPT: LITTLE GIRL & SLINKY

Little Girl is a light sable female, about 1 year old. She was rescued from a young couple with a small baby that Little Girl was allowed to play with. I am so thankful the baby didn't fall on Little Girl or cause some other accident that could have killed her. These folks had no idea of what a ferret needed. She was never in a cage, and ate table scraps or cheap pet foods. They were not allowed to have ferrets in their apartment. She is a sweet girl, very affectionate. She has Marshall Farms tattoos. She has had no health problems. She has a new friend, Slinky, who needs to be adopted with Little Girl.

Slinky is a dark sable female, about 1 year old. She was found running down an Arlington street at about 9 or 10 weeks of age. Her rescuer kept her for several months until a move forced him to give her up. She has Marshall Farms tattoos. She is *very* playful. She has no health problems.

FESTUS NEEDS A SPONSOR

Festus - a light sable male, about 4 years old. Festus was found wandering outside an apartment complex and efforts to find his owner were fruitless. He was surrendered to the shelter. He was on hairball medicine daily for the first two weeks because he kept pooping hair constantly. Finally that ceased and next he was hit with ECE (the first time it hit my shelter) and had a rough time battling this. He was sick for about 2 months and I came close to losing him several times because he simply did not want to eat and was difficult to hand-feed. He finally pulled out of it. Several months later he was diagnosed with an adrenal tumor and it was removed. He became very active and playful. Later signs recurred and he was placed on Lysodren. He has responded well to this and is just as active as before. Festus has a great personality and is very docile. He has Marshall Farms tattoos. Due to his condition and medical needs, Festus is a permanent shelter resident. He had a sponsor for a year but that person has had to stop sponsoring him due to personal problems. Festus needs a new sponsor.

There are so MANY more (about 100!)....Please help if you can. If you wish to make a donation, become a sponsor, or request an adoption application packet, please contact shelter director Patricia Curtis (817) 596-0558.

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