Traveling With Ferrets

By Mary R. Shefferman

  In recent years, many hotels and motels have become dog and cat friendly. What about ferrets? Well, sadly, there is still an awful lot of misinformation out there, but that doesn't mean you have to leave your ferrets at home.

Planes, Trains ...

  Forget trains and buses. Although they make exceptions for therapy dogs (seeing eye-dogs, for example), you're not going to get Amtrak or Greyhound to allow your ferret (or any pet) to ride with you.

  Some airlines (such as Delta Dash) allow ferrets in the cabin. Most don't. It's a good idea to double check with any airline you're thinking of flying. Be prepared for the all-too-common, "No. We don't allow rodents in the cabin." We have a long way to go to get airlines to accept that ferrets aren't rodents.

  There are specific requirements regarding the type of carrier you can use when bringing a ferret in an airplane cabin. There are regulations limiting the number of ferrets (and/or other animals) allowed in the cabin on any flight. If someone else on your flight has a cat, you may be limited to bringing only one ferret. Make sure you double check this before heading to the airport.

  Although an airline may happily suggest you put your ferret in cargo, it's not a good idea. Ferrets are sensitive to high temperatures (anything over ~80 degrees F.) and can quickly suffer heatstroke in a cargo hold. Especially in summer, the cargo hold of a plane is no place for a ferret.

  All things considered, it seems that flying is a dicey way to go when traveling with ferrets. So how do you vacation?

...And Automobiles

  Ferrets generally do well on road trips. We've been up and down the East Coast with our ferrets, going to ferret shows and visiting friends and family. We found a cage that fits well in our vehicle (measure before you buy!). A regular pet carrier is all right for short trips, but for longer trips you'll want to give your ferret(s) a little more space. Our travel cage is big enough for several ferrets to live happily for a week or so.

  Don't allow your ferret to roam free in your car. A mischievous ferret can get caught under the foot pedals or get behind the dashboard. If you have an accident, a ferret is more likely to survive if he is in a carrier. He is also more likely to be saved and removed from your car after an accident if he is in a carrier. A ferret loose in a car can easily become a ferret loose in the great outdoors. Ferrets definitely don't do well outdoors on their own!

  If you're traveling in warm weather or to a warmer climate, you'll want to have a car with air conditioning. Ferrets adapt better to cooler weather than to warmer weather. If your car does not have a/c and you cannot get a car with a/c for your trip, you can fill an empty soda bottle with water and freeze it. Wrap the frozen bottle in a towel and put it in the cage with the ferret. This is a short-term solution. If you are making a long trip in the summer, you will need air conditioning for your ferrets.

  Some counties, cities, and states have ferret bans or restrictions. You need to check on these before you leave. Plan your route to avoid areas where ferrets are not allowed. You may be able to drive through some areas, but other areas may strictly enforce their ferret bans (for example, California).

Supplies

  We always brought everything our ferrets needed with us. That included litter and water, as well as food and medication (if any ferret was on medication).

  If you use a litter than is commonly available, you should be able to purchase it along the way. If you feed a food that is hard to come by, make sure you bring enough for the entire trip. Ferrets don't readily or easily switch food brands, so running out of the food they do eat could become a serious problem.

   If your ferret is on maintenance medication (for example, prednisone for insulinoma), make sure you bring enough with you to last the entire trip. You will also want to check with your vet to make sure the ferret is well enough to travel. A ferret that is "actively" sick (for example, with a 'flu or intestinal bug) should not travel. Be aware, too, that travel can upset the balance in a ferret on maintenance medication. On one of our trips, Marshmallow was on frequent feedings and prednisone for insulinoma. He ended up needing a prednisone dose adjustment while we were on the way home (he had a low-blood sugar episode). No matter how well a ferret travels, travel is still stressful.

  We always brought water with us because our water here is not heavily chlorinated as it is in some parts of the country. We were concerned our ferrets would notice a difference in taste (as we did) and not drink as much. You can either bring water from home or purchase bottled water. The advantage to purchasing bottled water is that you can get it along the way, so you don't have to carry large amounts of water with you. If you're visiting someone who has a water filtration system (for example, Pur), you can use that water.

Precautions

  Many states require ferrets to be vaccinated against rabies. Make sure your ferrets are up-to-date. Get a rabies tag from your vet (you can hang it on your cage). Bring documentation of the vaccination. The rabies vaccination document should be signed by hand (not stamped) by your veterinarian. If a ferret cannot be vaccinated because of previous vaccine reactions, bring a letter stating this  from your veterinarian. Make sure the letter is on your vet's letterhead.

  Ferrets can get sick or have accidents while on the road. If you will be staying in any place for a period of time, make sure you get the name of a ferret-knowledgeable veterinarian in that area. It's a good idea to locate a couple of vets along your route, as well.

Further Reading: Articles in Modern Ferret Magazine

Issue #10: Ferrets in Hotel Rooms/Travel Tips By Mary R. Shefferman

Issue #14: Camping With Your Ferrets By Lorinda Baker

Issue #18: Sabrina Says: Use a Pet Carrier to Transport Your Ferret

Issue #23: Keeping It Cool: How to prevent, recognize, and treat heatstroke in ferrets By Mary R. Shefferman

Issue #26: 3000 Mile Road Trip ... With Ferrets By Eric Shefferman

Further Reading: Ferret News Newsletter Articles

Holiday Traveling With Ferrets
 

Did You Know That ...

By Mary R. Shefferman

  A ferret can be brought out of a hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) episode with corn syrup (e.g., Karo syrup). If your ferret has insulinoma, she will likely have a hypoglycemic episode at some time. The signs of hypoglycemia are: hind-end weakness or stumbling, glassy-eyed look or staring into space, drooling, pawing at the mouth, seizure, and/or screaming. The sooner you recognize and treat the hypoglycemia, the quicker you can stabilize the ferret.

  If your ferret is showing any of these signs, rub some Karo syrup on her gums. The gums will absorb the sugar in the corn syrup and help to raise the blood sugar. Do not try to force anything into the mouth of an unresponsive (unconscious, dazed, or seizing) ferret. If your ferret does not come out of the episode within 15 minutes, call your vet. (Now would be a good time to find a 24-hour emergency vet clinic in your area that can treat ferrets. Ask your regular vet for a recommendation.)

  Once the ferret has begun to respond to the treatment, give her a high-protein meal. This can be meat of any kind or meat baby food, egg, canned kitten or ferret food (for example, Hill's a/d), or whipping cream (not whipped cream). Although dairy products contain a lot of protein, they also contain lactose; ferrets are lactose intolerant. Whipping cream has very little lactose, and thus will not cause diarrhea.

  Ferrets who do not have insulinoma can have an episode of low blood sugar. It can be caused by not eating due to tooth or gum pain, stomach pain or nausea, or some other problem. Any ferret who has a hypoglycemic episode should be seen by a ferret-knowledgeable veterinarian.

  If you ferret has been diagnosed with insulinoma, an episode of hypoglycemia may mean that she needs an adjustment to her medication. Always check with your vet before making any changes to your ferret's medication.

Further Reading: Articles in Modern Ferret Magazine

Issue #7: A Ferret Named Puck: Living With Insulinoma By Puck's Mom

Issue #21: The Doctor Is In: Insulinoma in the Ferret By Karen Purcell, DVM

Issue #21: Frank, the Extra-Special Ferret: Caring for a Ferret With Insulinoma By Lori Freije

Issue #27: Recognizing and Treating Insulinoma By Jerry Murray, DVM

Issue #32: Insulinoma to Diabetes: Scoots's Story By Jean Chiasson

Issue #32: Post-Surgical Diabetes in Ferrets By Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP

Further Reading: Ferret News Newsletters

Newsletter #50

8 in 1 FerretVite Vitamin Supplement 4.25oz Daily Vitamin & Mineral Supplement Stimulates Appetite Rich In Essential Fatty Acids8 in 1 Ferretvite Supplement is a high energy, daily vitamin and mineral supplement that helps stimulate appetite and increase weight. It is rich in essential fatty acids and Taurine for healthy skins and coats. 4.25 oz.

  Well, we hope you and your ferrets are enjoying the nice weather. If you have questions or comments about this newsletter, send me an email: marymodernferret.com. We want to cover what you want to know about ferrets!

-- Mary, Eric, & Gabby (the lone ferret)

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