Dosage explanations

While scrolling about the internet searching for something totally unrelated, we stumbled upon an amazing medical dosage calculator.

Now, we NEVER advocate giving your pet a medication that is not known to be safe for ferrets, however there are certain medications that, if administered correctly - with the appropriate dosages - can be safely given to your pet to help them get over a particularly nasty flu or settle their tummy.

Medication NOT LABELED for ferret use but still safe for ferret use IN CERTAIN SITUATIONS ONLY include Pepcid AC (NOT chewables), Pepto Bismo (original - tablets are easier to disguise), and Pediatric Benadryl (alcohol free). BUT BE SURE TO CONSULT YOUR VET FIRST! Inappropriately given medications can aggravate a condition, or mask a problem making diagnosis more difficult and allowing the condition to get worse without anyone noticing.



Pepto Bismo can be used in conjunction with certain medications to help relieve symptoms associated with heliobacteria infections and coccidea in some situations. It can also be used to help treat diarrhea in some cases.


 

Pepcid AC can be used as part of a supportive treatment regiment for ECE, to help settle tummies in ferrets with ulcers, and, in some instances, to help coat their ferret's tummies before administering medications such as prednisone.

Pediatric, alcohol free Benadryl has been reportedly used with success to help reduce some congestion in ferrets suffering from seasonal allergies (yes, some do have allergies), bad cases of the flu and even to help reduce risk of a vaccine reaction (some experts claim that administering Benadryl 30 minutes prior to vaccination can prevent an allergic reaction to the Canine Distemper vaccine. This claim has not been verified by substantive veterinary research).


Now that we've covered some basic medications and their uses, how do you figure out the dose?

There are some rough guidelines from other ferret owners who had used and had success with these medications, or whose vet recommended a certain dose for their ferret. Their directions may be something such as 1/15th of a Pepto Bismo tablet, 1 (non chewable) Pepcid AC (10 mg) tablet crushed and dissolved into 10cc of water (shake well before using) and giving 0.25 per kg, or 0.25 - 0.5cc of Pediatric Benadryl.

However, not all ferrets are the same size and weight. So say, for example, that fuzzy had a flu, went to the vet, and got prescribed 0.2 cc of pediatric Benadryl to help with the symptoms. Then she came home and promptly gave the flu to her brother who is much bigger than she is. You know that the medication is safe, that your ferrets now both have the flu, - how much medication do you give to her brother?

Well, fortunately, most bottles have a recommended dosage for medicating. Unfortunately, these dosages are not generally calibrated for your ferret... LUCKILY ferretrealm as posted information about how to calculate dosage to ensure that you are giving your pet the appropriate amount of medication! Click to take you to the page. 

Ibuprofen, Advil and Tylenol, like most human medications, should NEVER be given to a ferret UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES as they are HIGHLY TOXIC TO THE ANIMALS. If your pet is in pain, or ill, CONSULT A VET as your vet will have some ferret- safe pain relief, or may be able to prescribe an over the counter or off the shelf SAFE alternative. If your animal requires assistance and you cannot afford a vet, take your pet to the nearest rescue - their life, health and well being is worth it.

Why rescue?

Recently, I found a question posed to both myself and a friend who does ferret rescue in the lower mainland. Paraphrased, the question is essentially this: Why do we choose to invest countless hours, resources and dollars to rescue ferrets?

This is how I view the question: Why do we choose to step in when nobody else will? Why do we choose to give a second chance to an animal who has never been treated well, never loved and never taken care of by the people who purchased it, often on impulse, without a thought for its needs? Why do we take in a damaged animal and give it the help that it needs when so many others would leave it to die? Why do we spend hours teaching animals that, despite what may have happend before, some humans can be trusted, what happiness feels like, what freedom feels like, and above all, what it is like to be truly loved and cared about? Why do we take in broken animals and pay to have them fixed, pay to give them the opportunity to experience what life can offer, what it is like to live without pain, pay to let them live the life that they should have been given the chance to live, had they only been lucky enough to find themselves with an owner that cared rather than the owner that they wound up with?

Why do we do this?

Because nobody else will.

And above all, because we know what it is like to see an animal experience life, love and simple pleasures for the first time. The first dook and kiss of an abused and frightened ferret, the first time the the ferret gets a toy, a cuddle, a kiss, a gentle hand, a treat, and enough food to eat, warm, soft bedding and love.

The first time that the ferret gets used to the idea that he or she does not have to be in pain, does not have to suffer, and will not be forced to live out its life alone in a small cage, forgotten by the family that was so eager to buy it only months before. We can see what others may not be able to see when they look down at a rescued ferret. They may see damaged goods, but we see an animal ready to live life and love, if only they are given the chance.


Why do we choose to rescue, despite the long hours, hard work, the expense, the frustration and the heartbreak?


Because we can see what others can't - we can see potential, and we know that if everyone could see the world as we do, it would be a much better place. This is why we choose to rescue.