Product Description

Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery is a must-have for the small animal practitioner and those interested in ferrets in general. It aims to inform on all aspects and conditions relating to the domestic ferret. Edited and authored by one of the eminent authorities on ferrets in the world, John Lewington, for this new edition is joined by contributions - including both new text and illustrations - from ferret experts based in 8 different countries, including the UK, US, Australia, Japan and Russia, thus ensuring the most current and complete information is available on this increasingly popular animal. Fully updated and with full colour throughout, this second edition now has 5 new chapters: gastroenteric/liver diseases; ferret-polecat domestication and genetics; ferret dentistry and pathology; ferret toxicosis; and ferret ultrasonography, covering new radiology and ultrasound techniques.

• Bridges the gap between ferret owner and the veterinarian
• Tables and boxes highlighted for easy reference
• Many clinical cases are given throughout, ensuring vital points in the text are illustrated to the maximum
• Includes section on Husbandry, offering basic information on how to keep ferrets
• Sections on Medicine and Surgery give more in depth content needed to treat ferrets

• 5 new chapters written by 4 new contributing authors
• New research on ferret genetics in breeding and examination, with discussion on genetic causes of diseases
• Further research given on Disseminated Idiopathic Myosititis (DIM), a new mystery disease affecting ferrets in the US; and fungal infections in ferrets, especially Cryptococcosis foramens spp
• Full colour throughout with many new illustrations
• Expanded sections on anatomy, nutrition, adrenal disease complex and insulinoma
  

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1063577 in Books
• Published on: 2007-05-08
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 536 pages

Review
"John Lewington is a practitioner who wishes to share his knowledge and love of ferrets. In doing so he keeps the 'chatty' style of the first edition. This is important - in accomplishing his aims he has written a unique book. While he has 'imported' some new authors covering specific sections and whole chapters this is essentially a single author volume.

This is the best ferret book on the market. The price represents excellent value (it is well illustrated) and, with ferrets becoming increasingly common pets, it will justify its position on the shelf of anyone seeing more than the occasional ferret. For those seeing ferrets regularly or specialising in exotic species, it is required reading.

There have been major advacnes in ferret medicine since the first edition in 2000 and these have been covered in great depth.

Recycle yur old edition and replace it with the second, settle back and enjoy learning!" - Reviewed by John Chitty, The Veterinary Record, August 11, 2007


"I was certainly impressed with this book, with its broad range of content, colour pictures and it probably contains virtually anything that you could wish to know about ferrets. It is easy to read, as it is written in a fairly chatty style with boxes containing information on relevant clinical cases, but it still contains the sort of detailed information necessary for any veterinary surgeon treating ferrets.

I would whole-heartedly recommend this book to any veterinary surgeon with more than a passing interest in ferrets, as well as recommending it to owners who want to be better informed on the care of their animals."

Reviewed by Owen Davies BVSc MRCVS (UK), for EJCAP, vol 17, October 2007

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**Description**
This book covers the husbandry, medicine, surgery, and special anatomy of ferrets. Updated from the first edition in 2000, this is largely the work of the author, but it does contain contributions from several notable experts in the field of ferret medicine. Interspersed throughout the chapters are sidebars titled "Author's clinical example" or "clinical case," which help to underscore points in the text and give the material a conversational feel.

**Purpose**
The author's stated purpose is to give veterinary practitioners a tool for providing care to ferrets and communicating with ferret owners. Additionally, the author hopes to increase the quality of care given to ferrets. These are noble ideals and the non-U.S. based viewpoint that permeates the book distinguishes this from other similar resources currently available.

**Audience**
Practitioners who are working with ferrets in a small animal practice setting are the intended audience. Specifically, the author indicates that small animal veterinarians working with pet dogs and cats will find the book useful while caring for ferrets, "one of the three carnivores sharing the home of man." The author's credentials indicate that he has extensive experience with ferrets and a good understanding of associated husbandry, medicine, and surgery. It is obvious from the book, largely written by the author, that he has a passion for these creatures and is interested in advancing the field of ferret medicine.

**Features**
Approximately one-third of the book is dedicated to husbandry issues. One notable addition to this section is an excellent discussion of ferret genetics which is largely omitted by most books. Although the book makes good use of images, the quality of some of the images is less than ideal. The many tables, schematics, and diagrams are excellent additions. Medicine and surgery are split into two sections, which is a little inefficient when covering a topic that fits in both, but the author cross-references these well. Some may feel that the unconventional conversational tone of the book diminishes it, but it does not distract from the content. The most notable problem with the book is the small font size.

**Assessment**
This book was a pleasure to read and it offers refreshing exposure to a field of exotic animal practice dominated by a U.S. perspective. It is well written with an informal feel that may appeal to pet practitioners. The second edition has incorporated current information and would be a good addition to the clinic library.

Weighted Numerical Score: 78 - 3 Stars

- reviewed by Julia K. Whittington, DVM(University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine), Doody Enterprises, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Review from a Ferret Breeder's Point of View
This is a very informative and easy to read book even for beginning ferret owner. It presents a interesting viewpoint of ferret husbandry from a "working ferret" prospective. Many of the health problems, in particular - parasite infestation, facing a "working ferret" are not an issue in the United States. But luckily Austrialia does not have the health problems related to ECE. Neither do they have the Adrenal disease problem that the US has because of so many early spays/neuters sold by the LARGE ferret farms. Another reason to go to a private breeder for a healthier pet.

The different drawings on "ferret" environments are interesting with their pond and burrough landscaping. Much of which would not be practical in the US. The average ferret owner/breeder in the US would be much more concerned about their ferrets excellent ability to find a "wayout" and therefore loosing their much loved pet.

All in all, I would highly recommend this book to anyone breeding ferrets, running a rescue/shelter and even to the average pet owner who wants to learn more about their valued pets.

Scarlett Gray, President, Heart of Ohio Ferret Assoc. & Rescue; Breeder, Scarlett's Happy Dookers (Since 1994)

A good extensive follow up to "Ferrets for Dummies"
Ferrets are my companion animal of choice. I am not a vet, nor am I a breeder. Rather, I purchased this book after three of my four ferrets contracted various diseases and health ailments common with American-bred, genetically bottlenecked ferrets from ferret mills. I wanted to be more informed in my decision making options regarding treatment choices for my ferrets as provided by my vet at CSU.
First and foremost, this book explores topics from ferret vets established all over the world. Like all fields, the intended objectivity of medicine can sometimes fall prey to cultural biases. Ferret hubsandry is no exception. This book attempts to maintain scientific objectivity by broadening its case study bank to include ferrets raised in a variety of conditions and lifestyles from all over the world. Not only does this text provide medical options for ferrets that I had previously been unaware of, it also gives the ferret enthuiasist a less tunnel-visioned view of potential causes and effects of ferret medical ailments. Every ferret owner should be given this text before purchasing or adopting a ferret. Though this book is spendy, I feel the hundred dollar price tag of this manual is an excellent financial introduction into ferret ownership. If you decide to bring a ferret into your life, get ready to spend much more than the price of this text.

Great Vet Gift
I purchased this book for my vet, since he doesn't see a lot of whole ferrets, and it addresses a lot of breeding health issues.

He is delighted with it, and that in turn makes me very happy. Great chapter on V-hob surgery!