From:
sukieferret
Date: 2001-12-13 16:44:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Freezing...
Well, first off they are not known to get the rhinoviruses that we
call human colds, though they can catch influenza (which may
seem like a cold if a human has only a mild case), and we have
had a bacterial sinus infeciton in the household years ago that
they turned out to be able to get.
Such infections are not caused by being exposed to the cold;
they are from exposure to the infectious organism which causes
the disease, so isolation during contagious times, many hand
washings, facial maskes, etc. can be useful in stopping the
spread.
Ferrets actually do well in the cold, and I sure that many a British
ferret keeper will tell you of their ferrets out in the winter. They
actually have more of a problem with too much heat.
There are special types of heating pads made for animal use or
for being able to be covered. Using standard ones for those
uses can at times result in a fire. I am sure that is something
you would rather avoid. I can well recall the day a friend who is a
fireman dropped by to relax and told us of a fire that day in which
a person had tried to use a standard heating pad to heat
seedlings and instead wound up burning down the house -- total
loss.
If you are worried then give them extra blankets. They will use the
ones they want and toss off the rest.
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Americangirle3@a... wrote:
> Hi I had wanted to ask a question about heating pads and
ferrets. The temp.
> here is in the 40's mostly, but I sleep with the fan on due to
asthma. My
> babies are in my room and I was wondering if there was any
way that I could
> put a heating pad in the cage with them so that they all could
snuggle onto
> that. I was just wondering if anyone knows of any dangers,
before I try it.
> And another thing, how could can it be for them, before they
catch a cold?
>
>
> Thanks.
> Margie Marie & freezing Fuzzies