FERRET VET

Ferret Veterinarian Serving Akron & Barberton OH

The clowns of the animal world hold a special place in our hearts. Unfortunately, health problems are commonly encountered with ferrets so a comprehensive preventative medical approach is important to safeguard their health. We are a full service ferret vet clinic providing complete treatment and healthcare. To accomplish the goal of health and happiness for your pet ferret, we provide the following ferret veterinarian services

Ferret Annual Exams

Even early in their active lives, ferret fall prey to a variety of potentially serious illnesses. It is essential to be able to diagnose these problems as early as possible to have the best chance for a successful treatment. Annual thorough examinations give us the opportunity to screen your pet for any hidden problems as well as address dietary and preventative concerns. If indicated, additional diagnostic tests can be utilized to further investigate suspected problems.

Examples of Tests Offered:

  • COMPLETE BLOOD COUNT (CBC): A CBC is great laboratory tool that allows a veterinarian to “peek” inside your bird. By assessing the variety of blood parameters we can detect infections, viral diseases, blood parasites, response to disease, and states of anemia to name a few. This test can be done in our office at the time of your bird’s exam to aid in our ability to assess your pet’s health.
  • BLOOD PROFILING: A blood profile or serum chemistry series is a group of blood tests used to assess various organ functions or disease states. Kidney function, liver abnormalities, pancreatic disease are but a few of the conditions a blood profile can help evaluate.
  • SEROLOGIC TESTING/SPECIFIC DISEASE TESTS:
    Serologic tests use a combination of technologies (including state-of-the-art DNA probe tests) to screen your pet for the presence of various contagious diseases. Some examples of common tests used are:
  • CHLAMYDIA TESTING: Chlamydia, or parrot fever, is a contagious bacterial disease of birds that is also potentially contagious to humans. A variety of symptoms can be displayed and some birds can be healthy acting carriers. Although a culture is the “gold standard” for testing, a number of different tests are available to use in different situations to screen for this important disease.
  • PBFD: Psittacine beak and feather disease is a viral disease capable of infecting a wide variety of bird species. This potentially fatal disease can progress slowly or rapidly and involve a range of feather and beak lesions. Although no cure is currently available, this test can be used to help screen for the presence or absence of this disease in your pet.
  • POLYOMA: Polyoma virus is another potentially devastating disease of pet birds that has a variety of presentations and outcomes. Lesions can involve feathers or cause widespread tissue destruction and acute illness. Testing as well as a vaccine is available for this disease.
  • PACHECO’S: Pacheco’s disease is a highly infective herpes virus of birds. Disease can be rapid, widespread, and fatal or sporadic with asymptomatic carriers. DNA testing is now available to help detect and prevent this catastrophic disease.

Ferret Routine Vaccinations

Ferrets are extremely susceptible to some deadly viral diseases. Canine distemper and rabies can cause rapid and deadly illnesses in domestic animals such as ferrets. It is essential to make sure early and routine annual vaccinations are given to prevent these diseases. Additionally, ferrets can be sensitive and have adverse reactions to some vaccinations. For that reason, we only use vaccines that have proven safe in our ferret patients.

Ferret Wellness Screens

Ferret Parasite Control

Because specific illnesses such as lymphoma, insulinoma and inflammatory bowel disease commonly affect ferrets at young ages, we commonly recommend screens to detect them before they have a chance to progress. This can be effective for illnesses such as leukemia, insulinomas, renal disease, or adrenal dysfunction.

Like dogs and cats, ferrets can fall prey to a variety of parasite infections. Fleas, ticks, mites, intestinal worms, and heartworms can all be detrimental to ferrets. All of these problem causers can be easily prevented or controlled. Depending on your pet’s individual situation, various treatment programs can be used. Be sure to ask us what’s best for your pet.

Ferret Diagnostic, Therapeutic, and Surgical Procedures

Ferrets get problems. We have solutions. We utilize the most up-to-date techniques available to ferret-out (sorry) your pet’s problems. Bloodwork, radiographs, ultrasound, and endoscopy are just a few of the diagnostic means available to aid with your pet’s diagnosis. Once the diagnosis is made, we offer a full range of therapeutic and surgical options to correct the problem. Common examples include adrenal gland surgery, insulinoma therapy and surgery, and inflammatory bowel disease control. Got questions? Just ask.

Ferret Emergency Care

Our office is open for your ferret’s health care needs Monday through Friday 8:00-6:00 and Saturday 8:00-4:00. If emergency care is required after these hours, you can rely on our 24 hour emergency facility- the Metropolitan Veterinary Hospital. Metro is located at 1053 S. Cleveland-Massilon Rd. in Copley (330-666-2976) and is there to assist with any of our client’s problems. At Metro we have veterinarians and technicians on duty 24 hours daily to address your needs.

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