The National Ferret
Welfare Society
(Last update 15th November, 2011)
First UK prosecution for cruelty to ferrets. Report: (jpeg sizes 109Kb and 74Kb)
The NFWS goes to Court: Report
Recent Updates to:
Showdates - 2nd November, 2011
Articles from From Ferrets First - 2nd February 2011
Ferreters offering services - 2nd November, 2011
Working Ferrets - 30th January 2011
14th November 2011CONFIRMED DISTEMPER VIRUS IN FERRETS + VACCINATION UPDATE
For the last five to six weeks the National Ferret Welfare Society (NFWS) has been investigating a substantial number of ferret deaths which have been reported in various areas up and down the country, but mainly concentrated in the Midlands and Cheshire counties.
As part of its investigations, the Society has paid for several detailed post mortems and some pcr (polymerase chain reaction) swab tests. However whilst the latter came back testing positive for distemper, the post mortem results were needed to confirm whether or not distemper was the cause.
Today (14th November), we have received the results of the post mortems which were done in conjunction with Mr Simon Thomas BSc BVetMed CVR CSAO MRCVS and the Infectious Diseases Diagnostic Unit at the University of Glasglow School of Veterinary Medicine;
The results – Distemper. Confirmed. As yet we do not know which strain. Mr Thomas has spoken to the vaccine manufacturer and has advised that if you do vaccinate your ferret(s) then it is best to use Nobivac DHP, 1 dose (vial) per ferret. (REMEMBER this vaccine is not licensed for ferrets). However this will not protect your ferret if they have already come into contact with another infected animal. Whether or not you vaccinate your ferret(s) is a decision only you as an owner can make.
The signs to look out for, in order of importance, are:-
i) Rash – pink with black coloured tip. Mainly appears in the abdominal area, worsening around the groin. Can also appear around the eyes and under the chin and, in some cases can been seen all over.
ii) Crusting around the eyes; sensitive to light. May or may not have discharge AND
iii) Crusting around the nose. May or may not have discharge.
iv) Pads may well swell to double in size as symptoms progress and become 'crusty'.
Symptoms are typically taking between 7 to 21 days to appear and not all ferrets within an infected group develop symptoms at the same time. There can be several weeks between the first ferret(s) displaying signs of distemper and the last ferret(s), more confusingly, not all ferrets within an infected group show symptoms or appear to develop this illness.
Please note that apart from swollen, crusty pads the other symptoms can be a sign of something else, remembering of course that at this time of year human flu can be passed on to ferrets, BUT if your ferret is displaying these signs then please advise your vet of this before going to the surgery so that they can put their own additional protocols in place. Remember that not all ferrets that die, will die of this illness. As always, if you have a ferret that is unwell then please seek veterinary advice.
Precautions to take include not mixing your ferrets with other groups of ferrets, refrain from walking ferrets in public areas that dogs and other ferrets have access to, avoid contact with strange and/or unwell ferrets belonging to another person. This is not exhaustive but hopefully will help you to decide whether or not to do something/go somewhere with your ferret(s).
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED:- We now need to map which areas have had ferrets die of this illness, be it one ferret or more. In order to make this as accurate as possible, we will need to differentiate between suspected and confirmed cases. However, all information will be recorded so please either email, telephone or write to me (Bennie Lye, National Ferret Welfare Society, 1 The Terrace, Loddiswell, Kingsbridge, Devon. TQ7 4RH. Tel: 01548 550156. Email: herbielye@aol.com). Any personal details will be kept confidential but in order to assist, information on the veterinary surgery involved will help as then we can also record (a) what tests, if any, were carried out (b) if vaccinated/when/ vaccine used/dosage and (c) what symptoms were presented.
As soon as we have more information we will let you know but in the meantime, give your loveable, mischievous hooligan(s) an extra big hug.
National Ferret Welfare Society (NFWS)
National Ferret Welfare Society – Vaccination UPDATE
VACCINATING FERRETS
Distemper is the only disease ferrets can usefully be vaccinated against in the UK (apart from rabies for travelling abroad).
There is no distemper vaccine licensed for use in ferrets in the UK but it is possible to use vaccines licensed for use in dogs under the current UK rules for the use of medicines.
The use of unlicensed vaccines means that they have not been fully safety tested in ferrets.
If a vet uses an unlicensed product they have to obtain informed consent from the owner of the animal. Some vets ask for this consent to be in writing.
One company (MSD Animal Health) who make Nobivac vaccines say that they have reasonable safety data for using Nobivac DHP or DHPPi in ferrets. The vaccine should be mixed with Nobivac sterile diluent or sterile water. They recommend one dose per ferret, although vets have in the past divided doses for economy. I am not aware of any data to show how well this works. There are several other distemper vaccines in the UK but I do not know what safety data is available and I have heard it suggested that some may be less safe.
Please also remember that dogs can catch distemper from ferrets and that vaccination is never quite 100% reliable in any person or animal
The minimum age for vaccinating ferrets recommended by MSD Animal health was 12 weeks old
Simon Thomas BSc BVetMed CVR CSAO MRCVS 15 November 2011
THE TRULY NATIONAL SOCIETY WHERE THE WELFARE OF THE FERRET COMES FIRST
Ferrets are NOT wild animals; they are domesticated descendants of the wild polecat, members of the Mustelidae family of animals that include the stoat, weasel, otter and badger.
Ferrets are kept by a wide variety of people, either as working animals or as pets. They range in colour from pink-eyed albinos, through increasingly darker markings, to the polecat coloured ferret, which retains the dark mask of the wild polecat.
A working ferret is one that is used for flushing wild rabbits out of their burrows, which is a humane and environmentally acceptable means of pest control.
Pet ferrets can be great companions. They play actively, especially with a companion and like nothing better than to rummage in whatever is available! Ferrets that are neutered lose the strong musky smell and have no more body odour than other pets.
For whatever reason you keep ferrets, the NFWS can be a source of information that members can consult to help them look after their ferrets better and work them properly.
The Society has many active, individual members and affiliated clubs, spread throughout the United Kingdom and as a field as Europe, Australia and the USA.
The affiliated clubs and organisations, support the objectives of the NFWS
Ferret clubs combine advice on the husbandry and welfare of ferrets, and information and instruction on the use of working ferrets, together with the social activities and companionship associated with any club.
There are also separate welfare and rescue organisations, run by active members of the NFWS, who sadly are too often asked to help where ferrets have been neglected or abandoned by their keepers.
What is the ferret population of the UK? ... Who knows? It could be as many as one million, or even more, since there are many ferret keeper who do not belong to any of the recognised bodies.
The NFWS aims to promote responsible ownership.
....... Look after your ferret properly and it will work its heart out for you, or be an excellent companion.
At country shows and similar events, you will often find a ferret show run by a local club, or the NFWS. There may be judging or classes for the best albino, coloured or polecat ferret. Or just a display of ferrets where knowledgeable owners are prepared to pass on welfare informtion to interested visitors.
Both these activities encourage improved welfare conditions for the ferrets.
You may also see ferret racing. Ferrets are naturally curious and will usually find their way along the racing tubes without any persuasion from their owners. Racing is also used to raise funds for a club.
NFWS Mission Statement
1. The promote the wellbeing of ferrets through articles written and published by the NFWS, veterinarians and ferret specialists world wide
2. Offer/provide advice on a variety of ferret subjects from common illnesses, nutrition, sanitation, interaction, ferret safety and the advisability of breeding.
3. Promote the on-going liaison with veterinarians and all medical organisations and agents associated within the 'ferret world' with the aim of raising the general awareness of ferret health and ferret needs.
4. Advise and educate ferret owners, clubs etc., on their basic responsibilities towards ferrets on such diverse subjects as when considering breeding ferrets and when working ferrets in vermin control. The list is large!
5. To promote confindence in ferret owners to approach the NFWS and/or veterinarians to seek advice when their ferret's health and behaviour causes concern