It's that time of year again
Spring is the time to bring your dog in for a heartworm test and to get started on preventative medicine. Even though your dog may already be on prevention, manufacturers recommend testing annually.

Sometimes a dog may test positive despite the medication because of underdosing due to a weight change, incomplete ingestion of the cube or tablet, concurrent vomiting, diarrhea episodes or a missed scheduled medication day.

Call us today to set up an appointment at 841-1919.

Ferrets as friends
Ferrets are domestic animals, cousins of weasels, skunks and otters. They are generally believed to be descended from the European polecat, originally used as hunting animals to catch rabbits and rodents. They weren¹t used to kill the prey, but rather to chase them out of their holes.

The popularity of ferrets as pets is on the rise. They are extremely playful and tend not to slow down with age. They can be trained to use a litter box as well as to do tricks.

A baby ferret is called a kit and lives to be six to seven years old. Males, called hobs, are generally considerably larger than females, known as jills, measuring around 18" and weighing 2 - 5 lbs. Several colors are considered standard for ferrets: sable, chocolate, cinnamon, silver and albino.

Feeding your ferret
Feeding your ferret a high quality cat food, such as Hill¹s Science Diet or Iams, is an excellent choice. Marshalls, a food made specifically for ferrets, is also a good alternative. You should feed your ferret dry food to help keep their teeth in good condition.

For treats, most ferrets enjoy some fruits and vegetables. Popular items include mashed bananas, raisins and peanut butter. In some instances, it may be necessary to supplement your ferret¹s diet with Ferretone, a vitamin supplement available at most pet stores.

Ferrets have extremely short gastrointestinal tracts which result in frequent stool passage, so be prepared!

Veterinary Care
Most pet stores sell neutered or spayed and descented kits. If you purchase your ferret from a private breeder, you should plan to have your pet neutered or spayed and descented. These procedures will assist in reducing the odor of your pet. Because of potential life-threatening anemias, females should be spayed before they go into heat. Neutering and spaying can be done at an early age.

Descenting can be done after a ferret is 6 - 7 weeks old. Ferrets should receive an annual ferret distemper vaccination as well as a three-year rabies vaccine. Be sure to ferret-proof your home. Ferrets are known for chewing and hazardous items can cause digestive tract blockages.

Supplies
When you are unable to closely monitor your ferret, it will be necessary to keep him in a generous size cage, approximately 2' x 3' x 2'. Normally, a towel in the cage for your ferret to curl up in is all that is needed for bedding. The cage should also include food, water and a litter pan.

Other Ferret Friends
To learn more about ferrets, you may wish to visit the following websites.* These links will open a new window in your browser:

• Ferret Central (www.ferretcentral.org)
• Ferret Net (www.ferret.net)
• The American Ferret Association (www.ferret.org)

*Gentle Care is not responsible for any misinformation provided on these sites.