From:
Ferret Wise Shelter
Date: 2002-08-29 16:43:28 UTC
Subject: Fwd: [ferrethealth] Bob C: Ferret Caretaker Quiz
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.0.14.2.20020829124221.00abd5f0@mail.usaexpress.net>
Ferret Wise answers:
I challenge ferret shelters and owners to take the following quiz. Pick
the answer that BEST describes your PRESENT situation, or your HONEST
current understanding! NO CHEATING!
1. Your ferret's litter boxes are a) cleaned daily, b) cleaned several
times a week, c) only cleaned when they need it, d) whenever the maggots
demand high-speed internet access.
A cleaned 1-2 times daily
2. Ferrets are allowed free-roam exercise a) at least 4 hours a day, b)
twice a day for at least an hour each time, c) once a day for a couple of
hours, d) for as long as it takes to catch them after they escape from the
cage.
A and sometimes 6-8 hours depending on capacity
3. Ferrets should be fed a) a combination of dry, extruded foods, cooked
poultry, wet kitten food, and meaty broths, b) dry, extruded food and
occasional cooked poultry, c) dry, extruded food, d) vegetables, raisins,
and Cherrios.
B currently cooked chicken plus gravy at least once daily ( always
offered not all partake in meats)
4. If YOU died tomorrow, your ferrets would a) have a loving home for the
rest of their lives, b) be shared among friends who were mostly unprepared
for the task, c) be a matter of internet concern and rescue, d) be
auctioned off to pay your debts.
NONE of the above - they would be assumed by the corporation for continued
care... I am only a caretaker..
5. Ferrets should see a veterinarian a) twice a year and whenever they need
it, b) once a year and whenever they need it, c) whenever they need it, d)
whenever you can corner the vet at the grocery store checkout.
B and as many times as required after annual checkups
6. Too many ferrets number a) more than half of what you can realistically
afford, b) what you can realistically afford, c) what you can barely afford
if you have no personal life, d) what ferret-lovers on the internet can
afford after you whine about costs.
C Numbers set by state licensing - not to exceed except in a short term
emergency offset situation!
7. A ferret needs a) a room-sized play space, b) a bathroom-sized play
space, c) a closet-sized play space, d) they have a cage, don't they?
A
8. Ferrets should have mental, physical, dietary, and sensory stimulation
a) daily, b) several times a week, c) every weekend, d) when visitors are
present.
A (that is why I seldom leave!)
9. Ferret sleeping quarters should include a) a dark, warm, enclosed
nesting box, b) a security cube, c) a sleeping bag or tube, d) a clean spot
in the litter box.
A B or C
10. Fire-proofing for your ferrets includes a) fireproofed residence, an
existing escape plan, fire extinguishers, canvas pet evacuation bags, and
ferrets trained to come to a call, b) fireproofed residence, an existing
escape plan, fire extinguishers, and canvas pet evacuation bags, c) fire
extinguishers and canvas pet evacuation bags, d) you hope to burn with them
because you're going to burn in hell anyway.
A thank goodness for the rear emergency exit door we installed 2 years ago!
11. You define physical contact as a) any type of physical contact desired
by the ferret for as long as they want, b) petting or grooming as long as
the ferret doesn't get too frisky, c) dressing ferrets in baby doll clothes
because it is so damn cute, d) carrying the ferrets back to the cage after
they escape.
A
12. Ferrets are a) obligate, primary carnivores with a digestive system
evolved to eat animals, b) carnivores domesticated to eat
carbohydrate-loaded dry, extruded food, c) carnivores who happen to like a
good salad on occasion, d) vegans fighting genetic enslavement to a
carnivorous lifestyle.
A
13. Ferrets like to dig because a) it is an inborn, genetic exploratory
behavior, b) it relieves stress and boredom, c) the carpet is greener on
the other side of the door, d) they are evil devils trying to find a way home.
A & B
14. Ferrets should be owned by people who a) are caring animal lovers who
work hard do their best, b) are caring animal lovers who sometimes to do
their best, c) are caring people who do what they can, d) keep their
ferrets because internet flamers think forced ownership in an unloving home
is better than adoption to a loving one.
A
15. After first-year inoculations, ferrets should be inoculated a) with
rabies and canine distemper vaccines once a year, b) with rabies vaccine
every year and canine distemper vaccine every-other year, c) with rabies
and canine distemper vaccines every-other year, d) only if they bite
someone and you are caught.
16. Your ferret should see a vet a) when they FIRST show symptoms because
it is evidence they are already ill, b) when they are obviously ill, c)
when they don't seem to get better, d) why see a vet when shelters are full
of ferrets?
A
17. The best treats for ferrets are a) various raw, cooked, or dried
meats, poultry, and fish, b) cheese, processed meats, and sausage, c) dried
fruit or carbohydrate-rich pet foods, d) vegetables indigestible to
primary, obligate carnivores, including carrots, potatoes, cucumbers,
cauliflower, and broccoli.
A
18. The best way to reduce odor in a ferret room is to a) clean litter
boxes daily and change bedding 3 or 4 times a week, b) clean litter boxes a
few times a week, change bedding weekly, and use deodorants, c) clean
litter boxes and bedding once a week, bathe ferrets regularly, and use
deodorants and covering sprays, d) move next door to a pig farm's sludge pond.
A
19. Ferrets should be bathed (with soap, as opposed to swimming or playing
in plain water) a) only when they need it, b) monthly, c) weekly, d) until
their skin completely flakes off.
A
20. When discussing your ferret's problems with a vet, you should a) give a
detailed report, listen carefully, ask questions, keep notes, and get a
second opinion if you continue to feel uneasy, b) give a detailed report,
listen carefully, ask questions, and keep notes, c) give a detailed report,
listen carefully, and ask questions, d) drop the ferret off with a check
pinned to the cage.
A
21. Healthy ferrets should be fed a) a superior-quality diet two or three
times a day, b) a high-quality diet for as much as they want, whenever they
want, c) a medium-quality diet for as much as they want, whenever they
want, d) just make sure to keep the bowl full of cheap cat food.
B due to scheduling we free feed unless we find medical reasons for doing
otherwise.
22. Ferrets are a) asocial domesticated polecats that generally tolerate
socializing with litter-sized groups of ferrets because of behavioral
neotony, b) domesticated carnivores that tolerate socializing with other
ferrets because of domestication, c) somewhat gregarious animals that can
be housed together in large groups because of ferret math, d) ferrets are
herd animals, moo.
You are the expert- my observations lean to A or B
23. Ferret medicines should be given a) exactly as prescribed for dose,
times per day, and length of treatment, b) exactly as prescribed for dose
and length of treatment, but you can vary the times per day to fit your
schedule, c) exactly as prescribed for dose, but you can vary the times per
day and length of treatment depending on the response, d) if one dose is
good, then two are better, and three are perfect.
A
24. Ferrets should be punished by a) scruffing them, sharply telling them
'no!', and then isolating them for about five minutes, b) scruffing them,
and then sharply telling them 'no!', c) trying to get their mind on other
matters by playing with them, d) whacking them about the head and shoulders.
B is the operation in the shelter with reassurance following ( we deal
with many abuse cases who do NOT graciously accept discipline)
25. Perhaps the most misunderstood problems in ferrets are a) the
implications of early familial separation, stress, diet, housing, and
neutering, b) color genetics, c) various diseases, including ADV, CDV, and
ECE, d) where they hid your car keys and wallet.
A
I did not add it up- my schedule did not allow- but here is the operational
mode at FerretWise!
Alicia