Vetasyl for 10 week old

Question
Hi Jacquie!

I want to start giving my ferrets Vetasyl as a hairball preventative, but I was wondering how young I should start. My littlest guy is 10-11 weeks old, is it okay to give him the treatment?

For a ferret his age, should I start with an initial 3 day treatment, and then continue with it once a week?

Currently, I'm giving both ferrets 8 in 1 Excel Kitty Malt - which is both petroleum and sugar free (mineral oil based). I just don't like the idea of giving them this goopy stuff for the rest of their lives. Also, I use it sparingly with the little guy because I've read that it can decrease nutrient absorption. Have you ever used the Excel on your ferrets?

I've ordered two bottles of Vetasyl, now I'm just waiting for them to arrive. I am really anxious to start, because my two year old sweetheart  passed away from a hairball obstruction a few weeks ago. He had surgery, but unfortunately it was too late. I'm heart broken. Do you think it would be better to substitute with Metamucil for the time being, as opposed to the Excel?

PS. About two weeks ago I wrote to you about a lump under my little guy's arm. I'm happy to report that it has disappeared, like the vet predicted!

Thank you again for your time. You're a fuzzy hero!

Sincerely,

-Emilia  

Answer
Hi Emilia:

So glad you are planning to use Vetasyl for your new baby. He will live longer and healthier for it. Sorry to hear about your other ferret, especially after you went through surgery and everything and he still lost the battle. There's not much more sad than these little ones when they get an obstruction; that's why I take such an aggressive step against it.

I haven't heard of Excel - don't think we have it here in the states - at least not where I am. Glad to hear it doesn't have molasses or corn syrup, etc in it tho. Also really happy to hear you're obviously reading labels! :-) You're a good ferret mom!

I think the best thing you could do between now and when the vetasyl gets there is to get him used to duck soup - whatever your preference is - so when the vetasyl gets here he will be ready to go. Sometimes, if a ferret hasn't had duck soup, it takes them a while just to get used to having that and people confuse that with the ferret refusing the vetasyl. The truth is that ferrets are always slow to take to any new food. You're starting him early enough that he shouldn't give you much of a fight though. Whether you make it yourself, use Hill's A/D, Hill's ID, Uncle Jim's Duk Soup Mix, or baby food, as long as he's used to it by the time the vetasyl gets there, you'll be waay ahead of the game. I think a three day treatment would be a good start, then as long as you have he's so young and likely to chew on anything, it would probably be wise to do a treatment once a month. Once he's a year or so old, you can do a three day treatment about every other month and feel safe.

Glad that lump turned out to be nothing serious. There's just one more gray hair for mommy! ;-)

Best of luck and God bless that precious little one. He's a lucky little guy!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers