[.ca] Ferrets For Dummies (ISBN 0764552597)

Libro de lujo!!!...:
Me llamo Matthias Erlandsen, soy de Chile y he importado este libro desde USA. Todo criador o dueño de un huron debe tener este titulo, aunque esta disponible solo en ingles es de muy buena ayuda. Lo recomiendo 100%.

If ferrets could read, they would read this book!:
Over the years I've had many ferrets, and have read many ferret books. And so far this is one of the best I've found. I recommend it to everyone. (from people thinking about getting their first ferret, to people that already have a housefull) A few cartoons, and lots of ferrety humor. It's a must have for any ferret lover!

Highly recommended Ferret book:
I think the wide range of positive aspects of this book have already been discussed, so I won't repeat what has already been said. What I will say is that I have not spoken to a single Ferret person who has not strongly recommended this book for both first-time and veteran ferret guardians. Such widespread positive word-of-mouth really speaks for itself.

Excellent book for the current or potential owner:
I've never owned a ferret, and I might get one myself, except that unfortunately they're illegal where I live. But they're very interesting, fun-loving, and fun critters, so I settled for reading this book, which does an entertaining job of telling what its like to have and live with one (or several). The author has 10 years of experience owning and working with ferrets, and she brings her enthsiasm about them to this book. First of all, a brief comment on the nasty review from a reviewer who didn't leave their name, which the author also responded to. I saw little basis for their criticisms and complaints about the book. For example, the reviewer says that this isn't the best book on ferrets out there, but then doesn't say which one is. The reviewer also says the author's style is juvenile at times, but the author's style is no different from the now hundreds of other books in the Dummies series which are notable for their easy and approachable style while nevertheless managing to impart a great deal of useful information, which is why the series has been so successful. Since the reviewer doesn't back up any of their opinions and criticisms with any evidence or examples, I think you can safely disregard this person's comments. But getting back to the book itself, the author covers many aspects of owning a ferret, discussing both the good and the bad, which should be useful to anyone who presently has or is considering getting one of these animals. For me the most interesting sections were the ones covering various aspects of ferret psychology, behavior, and physiology, especially the many potential medical issues. For example, ferrets are prone to lymphosarcoma, mast cell tumors of the skin, sebaceous skin tumors, enlarged spleens, and numerous other maladies. Also, females continue manufacturing estrogen until they're mated, eventually producing such a high serum level of estrogen that it can cause aplastic anemia unless they're bred or neutered. Ferrets also require somewhat higher quality food than your typical dog, and you need to make sure you keep such things as their yearly distemper and rabies shots up, and also keep them regularly wormed to prevent heartworm. Ferret romance also has decidedly not been influenced very much by feminist ideas. The author says that (I'm quoting from memory here, so cut me a little slack), "...the male practically tackles the female and bites her on the neck. He mops his whole condo with her, even with her screaming and attempting to bite back." My only quip about the book, which is very minor, is the author gets a little too cute with all the ferret nicknames at times, such as furball, fuzzball, carpet shark, and so on. But as I said, it's a minor complaint. Overall this is a very detailed, informative, well-written, and entertaining book on ferrets that should be useful to anyone who has a ferret or is considering getting one.

A perfect book for beginners:
True to the "...for Dummies" series philosophy, "Ferrets for Dummies" is a fine survey of all the basics you need to know in order to take care of ferrets properly. It even includes a touching chapter on how to deal with and survive the impending death of a ferret as well as the passing itself. I've read this chapter repeatedly after the death of several ferrets. The only two changes I would make to this book are (1) more details regarding the cancers that, unfortunately, most ferrets will eventually develop (specifically adrenal gland tumors and insulinoma), and (2) overall a more serious tone. The tone of the writing veers away in a couple of spots from solidly informative towards silliness, but I've found that this is characteristic of almost all the "....for Dummies" books so I suppose that is a critique of the editor and publisher more than the author. Also, this "homespun" style probably makes the text more palatable to beginners and the curious. I volunteer for a local ferret shelter and have fostered numerous rescued ferrets, and have no hesitation recommending this book either for those getting involved in the same thing, or those who simply wish to have a single pet ferret and know nothing about how to go about it. Until a more advanced book comes along that really delves into significant detail regarding ferret care, "Ferrets for Dummies" is pretty much the definitive book on the subject. Keep it on your bookshelf as a reference, and read it in conjunction with some of the many other ferret care books available to get a really rounded view of what is involved in taking care of ferrets.