The veterinarian you choose to care for your ferret is almost as important as having a good health plan in place for your ferret. The right vet can make accurate diagnoses more quickly and will be up-to-date on the most current forms of treatment for ferrets.
Veterinarians with a firm knowledge of how to treat ferrets are harder to find than vets who are savvy about treating cats and dogs. Your first step is to find a veterinarian who makes a point of stating he or she regularly treats ferrets. The veterinarian’s experience level with ferrets is important.
“When choosing a veterinarian to treat your ferret, be sure you pick someone who is very comfortable treating these animals,” said Irene Côté, DVM, of Côté Animal Hospital in San Diego.
To locate a ferret-savvy veterinarian, ask breeders, rescue groups or other ferret owners in your area for a referral. You can also contact organizations like the Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians, which provides a directory of exotics veterinarians on its website.