JimGuntharp,
Guntharp,DVM
DVM
Jim
GaryStrickland,
Strickland,
DVM
Gary
DVM
Everett
DVM
EverettRogers,
Rogers,
DVM
&SJODVMQFQQFS,
DVM
Erin Culpepper,
DVM
Danielle Barnes, DVM
brought to you by
Is atip:
FerretHow
the Right
Pet for
Fear Free
to pill
a Me?
cat
3231 E. Highland Drive
IsGetting
a Ferret
Right
Me? Ferrets like to eat many small meals a day, so food
requirements.
With
the holidaysthe
and the
New YearPet for
• Have precut portions of the treats ready when
a pill down a cat is a
Mon & Fri • 7:00 am - 6:00 pm
Wed • 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
Tues & Thurs • 7:00 am - 8:00 pm
Sat • 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
870-932-7228
spaces and chew on loose items that may be on the floor (especially
Use the 3-step approach
approaching, many people may be thinking should be made available at all times. Clean, fresh water should also foam or rubber items). Make sure any narrow openings are sealed
you’re pilling so you can easily dole them out 1. Give the promise—the treat without a pill.
feat of monumental proportions
all times, either in a heavy ceramic bowl that cannot and all loose items are removed from the floor.
about adopting a new pet. This upcoming
2. Follow with the deed—pill hidden inside of
in fastatorder.
for
many a cat guardian. Just the be available
tipped
over,the
or in aexcitement
water bottle. and hide the treat a treat.
article series by
Culpepper will
highlight easily
Ferrets require vaccinations against rabies and canine distemper.
• beTo
build
mention
ofDr. giving
medication
The
enclosure
you
choose
for
your
ferret
should
be
large,
wellone
type
of
exotic
animal,
and
discuss
They
are also susceptiblefollow
to heartworm
so should be treat
with disease,
the chaser—the
further, randomize the number of treats you 3. Immediately
to a cat can strike terror in the
and contain
multiple
The material
sturdy provided
information
that particular species, as ventilated,
witha the
appropriate heartworm prevention. Vaccinations
Dr. Erin Culpepper hearts
without
pill.
give and
the order
oflevels.
the pill
to keepshould
the be
clever
of about
pet owners.
enough
to
withstand
digging.
The
minimum
cage
size
recommended
wellIfasyou’ve
appropriate
husbandry
and
care
for
and
heartworm
prevention
can be
obtained
veterinarian.
Why it works: It’s
easier
to from
giveyourthree
treats
kitty from learning the pilling order and
ever struggled to pill
Dr. Erin Culpepper
to two ferrets
is 24 x up
24 xat
18 the
inchestreats.
(60 x 60 x 45 cm). Ferrets The
them. Today’s article will
of Dr.tried
Culpepper’s
ferret
is one
of the few
animals
is susceptible
the human
this
way.
Giving
only
onethat
treat
to a cattocan
cause
turning
her nose
tofeature
a cat,part
orone
have
withseries:
little for one
to be
more
cautious,
if they’ve
to plenty
hideof the
pill flthem
avail to instruct pet owners to do this at home love•to Whichever
burrow and hide,hand
so makeyou
sure touse
provide
bedding.
ferrets.
u virus, and
can also
transmit
this virusespecially
to humans. If your
ferret
found
hidden
pills
in
the
past.
inside
the
treat,
use
the
other
to
seal
the
pill
with
their
cat,
try
tips
for
putting
the
treat
into
Burrowing material should be free of loops, holes, or loose strings to appears to have a cold, then it is important to practice good hygiene
Ferrets are very playful and friendly animals that can make
The promise
eliminates
in the
so picky
can
traceA of measures,
treatment
a cat to
more of
willingly
minimize treat
handling,
and visit your veterinarian as soon as
prevent
nails food
from getting
caught.cats
Ferrets
can fi
bend
litternotrained.
wonderful
pets. and
These getting
long furry creatures
are relatives
the
caution
as
it’s
tasty.
And
pillmedication
on
the
outside
part
of
the
food.
take
a
pill.
Note
that
every
cat
is
different,
and
possible.
low-sided pan with a thin layer of litter can be placed in the corner
weasel, skunk, and otter. Most ferrets come from a commercial
free
and
following
up
the
•
Keep
the
portion
size
small
enough
or
soft
the
method
that
works
best
for
one
cat
may
not
With the appropriate care
of the enclosure. A pelleted litter (e.g. recycled newspaper products)
breeding facility where young ferrets are spayed or neutered, and
hidden
pill
with
another
treat
enough
so
the
cat
doesn’t
chew,
only
licks
and
for
another
kitty.
Consider
these
ideas
to
get
a
descented (i.e. their anal musk glands have been removed). Although is preferable as it is cleaner, more absorbent, and non-toxic if
and the right environment,
swallows. This prevents chewing up the pill gets the cat more excited in
cat to take a pill willingly:
ferrets are descented, they still retain their natural musky odor. The swallowed.
ferrets can be fun and
that can be problematic with metabolism of anticipating the next morsel,
• First ensure the medication can be given
lifespan of a ferret ranges from 6 to 8 years.
Ferrets need at least 2 hours of exercise outside of the enclosure entertaining pets. Stay tuned
certain
medications. Chewing may also release so they may eat faster with
with food. The type of treat the pill is hidden
Dr. Culpepper’s
nextwith
article the one
Ferrets
are
strict
carnivores,
and
require
a
diet
rich
in
animal
daily.
Make sure
that ferrets
supervised
an area that
has been for
less
hesitation
a nasty
taste
whenarethe
outer in
coating
is broken.
in is important. Try out different types of treats
pet rabbits. the pill.
protein.
ferret foods
(e.g. best
Marshall’s)
or a high-quality
dry
“ferret proofed” during exercise. Ferrets are extremely curious and oncontaining
to fiMost
nd what
works
for the
cat.
Credits
to DVM360
& Mikkel Becker, CPDT.
Credits:
lafebervet.com
cat food (e.g. Science Diet or Iams) will meet their nutritional
sometimes even mischievous creatures that love to get into small
Please
contact Jonesboro
Pet Hospital
or your
veterinarian for
for further
on ferrets.
Please contact
Jonesboro
FamilyFamily
Pet Hospital
or your
veterinarian
furtherinformation
information
on fear free tips.