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Letter from the editor
Hi folks, hopefully some of you noticed that we took a break for a few months this summer. During that time we seriously discussed stopping publication of this newsletter, due to an apparent lack of interest from our readers. It was argued and finally put to a vote. We're Back!!! Now that we are we would like to encourage reader participation in the newsletter. If you have stories, poetry, information or thoughts you would like to share, even questions or critisism for this publication please feel free to submit them.(providing the topic is ferrets) We are here for you! please enjoy this months newsletter, we are looking forward to hearing from you in the future. Hopefully next month we'll have a 'letters to the editor' section. contact us at <nifc@island.net> or by snail mail:
The Carpet Shark
RR#5 Site 510 comp. 106
Comox B.C.
Canada V9N 8B5
Health Alert!!! Coccidia outbreak in ferrets
PROTOZAN INFECTIONS: Ferrets may suffer from various protozan infectious disorders, including coccidiosis, pneumocystic pnuemonia, cryptosporidosis, and giardia.
COCCIDIOSIS: intestinal invasion by three distinct species of the order Coccidia has been described in the ferret. The pathogenicity of coccidia in the ferret is unknown; it may be a self-limiting disease in otherwise healthy aninmals. In certain cases however, animals may develop diarrhea and tenesmus. Coccidia sp. in the ferret may produce a chronic carrier state so; :( **** reinfection is a possibility.**** :(
Ferret Insulinoma
Insulinoma is a cancer of the cells which produce insulin, or the pancreatic beta cells. These tiny tumors produce excesive amounts of insulin ,which drives blood sugar into the bodies cells at a far to rapid rate.
Some common symptoms are: Stopping and staring blankly for several moments, Foaming and pawing at the mouth, Being weak in the hind end, entering a comatose state, and seizures. Insulinoma will not commonly interfere with eating habits.As this disease advances the symptoms will become more common and more severe, until the ferret goes into a permanent coma and passes away. This can be controlled so if your ferret has been exhibiting any of these symptoms please take them to your vet right away.
1st Annual Ferret BBQ
On Sept 5 We hosted our first annual ferret BBQ. We had a wonderful time and several people were able to attend despite the short notice. To those who were unable to attend we missed you and we hope to see you next time. We were glad to welcome our ferret friend Sam from New zealand, who promptly set to work trimming toenails :) (a true ferret mom) of course those that wouldn't sit still for mom were absolute dreams for Sam. All in all it was great food and great company, we look forward to seeing everyone next time.
Your thoughts and comments on all aspects of our newsletter are welcome, look for your letters in our " Letters To The Editor " section (not all letters will be published)
Classified Add Section
Ferrets available for sale
The Covenstead House is taking reservations on next years planned breedings. please se our proposed breedings for 1999 at:
http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/5172/breed99.htm
e-mail Mia Emery at nifc@island.net or phone 250 339 5932 for information.
Shelter Donations
The North Island Ferret Club Is in great need of donations of cages and water bottles. Bedding, powdered kitten milk replacer, and Nutrition First kitten food or IAMS kitten food are also welcome donations.
NO cash donations please !! We have had 6 ferrets surrendered to the shelter recently and although two have been adopted we are running low on supplies.
Contact Mia Emery at nifc@island.net or phone 250 339 5932