From:
dbooras@adelphia.net
Date: 2002-09-01 21:29:33 UTC
Subject: Re: Integration of Deaf Ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <12859228.1030915773681.JavaMail.root@scandium>
I think when deaf ferrets are 2nd, 3rd-hand, etc. ferrets, it is sometimes hard to figure out whether problems they are having are a direct result of being deaf, a result of their specific personality, a result of what kind of care/non-care they had before you got them, or a mixture of all of the above. From what I have observed, a deaf ferret in a safe, loving environment, where deafness is recognized early on and the caregiver learns ways to interact with the ferret without startling it, doesn't act handicapped at all. In fact, the biggest concern I have with deaf ferrets is making sure they never escape their safe environment. Of course, this is a huge concern with any ferret, but a deaf escapee is then handicapped by not being able to hear dangers such as cars or other animals, as well as not being able to be trained to respond to you calling it with your voice, squeaky toy, or shaking a raisin can.
As an example, Puppers came to me when he was 6 months and was labeled as a mean, aggressive biter who sneezed all the time. All true, however, after some observation, it became obvious he was stone deaf and had allergies. So I learned ways of gently communicating with him so as not to startle, put him on Beneydrl for his allergies and began gently letting him know that biting was unacceptable.
Pup is an alpha ferret by personality, so when he's rough with other ferrets is it because he's deaf or because he's an alpha? I don't know. I would lean towards alpha because the ferrets that accept that he's alpha, he gets along with just fine. I believe a lot of his "meanness" was actually the result of his allergies because I soon learned that his body language is very different when his allergies are kicking in -- I call it his irritable walk -- and he gets a dose of Benedryl. So, mean because he is deaf or because he feels rotten when he's having allergy problems?
It's been 3 years now and Pup is not only my most intelligent, hyperactive ferret, he is, surprisingly, my most loving. I never would have imagined three years ago that this white dude would be showering my face with ferret kisses -- or that I would let him near my face. I believe as a result of being so aware of Pup's body language, I actually feel Pup and I communicate on a higher level than I have with any other ferret. And no one observing my little mob of ferrets would ever guess that he's handicapped.
My advice to you would be to do everything you can to make your little girl feel safe and secure and integrate slowly -- her timid behavior may be her personality and have nothing to do with her being deaf -- really study and observe her behavior for hints as to what else could be affecting her behavior rather than assuming her deafness is the cause of all of her problems.
Hope your experience with your little deaf one turns out as positive as mine has. I wouldn't trade the Puppers for anything!
Donna
End of ferrethealth Digest
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