Ferret News

A 13-year-old Iowa cat has been infected with swine flu, veterinary and federal officials said, in what's believed to be the first case of the H1N1 virus in a feline.

Veterinarians Jay and Valerie Holt say they had to move from Las Vegas to a 3-acre spread 55 miles northeast of the city because Jay wanted a camel.

Canadians have been lining up across the country to get an H1N1 flu shot, but it may not be just themselves and their family members they have to worry about when it comes to contracting the virus.

Until recently, 2009 H1N1, the virus known to cause "swine flu," had not been found in companion animals.

We're not the only ones getting swine flu . The H1N1 flu, a pandemic in humans, was diagnosed in an Iowa cat this week, and he's not the only domestic animal to come down with swine flu.

A low-cost clinic providing pet licenses, rabies vaccinations and microchips is set for 1-3 p.m. Nov.

The 2009 H1N1 flu virus has caused mass concern around the country. This virus which has previously been shown to have affected humans, pigs, birds and ferrets has now crossed into our feline population.

The swine flu virus has been confirmed in a cat treated at the Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine.

Type of business: Veterinary hospital for cats, dogs and exotic pets. Owner: Dr.

If you think you're worried about the H1N1 virus, imagine being a cuddle-provoking ferret.

"Ferret" is derived from the word "furonem," Latin for thief, an aptly given name, although the phonetics of the word, fur-on-em is pretty descriptive as well.

A news station in Hastings, Nebraska has reported that Stormy the ferret, one of four ferrets in a family of humans sick with the flu, has died from the H1N1 virus.

The shoplifter was an unusual thief, having shoved the animal down his pants.

And the teenager who chased the man down after the theft this week was unusually heroic, according to an animal rights advocate.

A 38-year-old homeless man, Rodney Bolton, was arrested shortly after noon Tuesday and charged with stealing the $129 ferret from the Pet Supermarket at 609 Beach Blvd. in Jacksonville Beach. He was also charged with battery with a "special weapon," police said.

A Jacksonville Beach police arrest report said a 17-year-old saw a man take a ferret from the pet store, stuff it down the front of his pants and walk out of the store. The teen alerted store clerks to the theft, then followed the man to a nearby parking lot on First Avenue North.

The teen tried to retrieve the ferret from the shoplifter, but the man punched him and they both fell to the ground. As they tussled on the ground, the man shoved the ferret in the teen's face and squeezed it.

The ferret, a small domesticated type of weasel, lunged at the teen and bit him, leaving two puncture holes in his ear, the arrest report says. The ferret was not injured.

Some dogs, cats, pigs and even iguana's had a howling good time in Granger, Thursday night.

They and some of their owners dressed up for the St. Joseph County Humane Society's Pet Costume Contest.

There were dogs dressed as cows, railroad workers, lumber jacks and even doctors and iguana's dressed like patients.

One family pulled out all the stops to take one of the titles when they brought in several pets dressed in a Lion King theme.

Is your pet at risk for H1N1 flu?

According to a local veterinarian, most pet owners don't need to worry, but it depends on what kind of pet you have.

Earlier this month, a sick ferret in Oregon tested positive for H1N1. It's reported the animal likely got it from its owner.

In late August, three pigs at the Minnesota State Fair tested positive.

Dr. Mike Hutchinson with Animal General Hospital in Cranberry says pet birds could be at risk.

So if you have H1N1 and have a pet ferret, pig or bird, he has some advice.

THOMASTON (Oct 29): Knock knock. Trick-or-treat. There goes Cosmo kitty out the door into the spooky night. Halloween is full of fun for the family but it can be dangerous for your pet if some basic safety tips aren’t followed. It’s best to find a quiet place for your pet away from the door and the stream of trick-or-treaters dressed in strange costumes knocking on the door. Door darters could escape unnoticed during all the activity. Or, a usually laid back pet may react negatively to all the sights and sounds associated with this spooky holiday. Even if your cat is accustomed to being outside, it’s safer to bring it in for the evening. He won’t get stressed and head for the hills and he won’t find himself in the path of pranksters with mischief on their minds.

Keep your pets away from jack-o'-lanterns with candles so they don’t get knocked down by wagging tails or curious noses, which could result in a fire or a burn injury to your pet. It’s also important to keep candy away from pets. Not only could it upset their stomachs but some, like chocolate, are toxic to pets. Plus, plastic and tinfoil wrappers are potential choking hazards. Many children are nervous around strange dogs, so it’s best to keep Buster at home so everyone has an enjoyable evening. Finally, don’t dress your pet in a costume unless you know he will love it. It can be very uncomfortable and stressful for an animal. Bring in a can of pet food, pet treats or something else from our wish list on Halloween and we will give you a treat. Have a safe and happy Halloween.

Published: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:51 p.m. Last Modified: Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 10:53 p.m. Sometimes the mere name of an event is a good hint for who the sponsor is.

Rorshach was a big and very black cat. You'll have seen or heard this several other places, in print or on the local news, by the time next weekend rolls around, but it's worth repeating: Halloween can be great fun for kids but it is not a holiday for pets.

Animal welfare authorities are searching for the cold-hearted creature who tossed two caged ferrets like garbage into a Fenway dumpster, one of which was found dead yesterday by a horrified neighbor.

“It was just awful; I just wept,” said Nicole Forester, 29, who discovered the forlorn ferret after a passerby notified her. “He said, ‘I just saw the grossest thing - somebody dumped their pets in the dumpster back there.’ ”

The man kept on walking. But Forester was moved to act. After searching about four dumpsters, she came upon the thin, shivering female ferret and wrapped her in a sweatshirt. Another was already dead.

“It’s a sweet little ferret,” said Danielle Genter of the Animal Rescue League, which Forester called after finding the ferret. “Very friendly, very gentle.”

The furry critter was severly dehydrated. Ulcers on her feet suggested she had lived in unsanitary conditions, Genter said.

Investigators are hoping surveillance footage from cameras mounted behind the Peterborough Street building will provide clues.

Winston-Salem, NC -- Tim Hull says he's suffered from quiet seizures for years, until now.