From:
jenn3246@airmail.net
Date: 2002-08-02 21:06:41 UTC
Subject: Advice on Buying a New Ferret - Health
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <26573579.1028322401631.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Hello, my name is Jenn. I just joined this list. I have a 9mo old Ferret named Ripley- she is deaf but is the sweetest little girl.
I was in this Pet store the other day and they had two ferrets, both adults (at least a year). After talking with the store manager for a little bit I found out that someone had brought the two in and just left them. I really liked the little girl.
She was Sweet as can be. However I am concerned about the health of the ferret.
I really want to give this little girl a happy healthy home- I don't think she had a good life before she was dumped at the store. She has an almost 90 degree bend in her tail at the end. It looks like it was broken and never cared for. But I don't want to risk the health of Ripley to do so.
I'll describe the ferret & living conditions so that any experts on this list can help me.
The new ferret is of good size/weight but is extremely dry coated (course, not at all soft) and the hair on the tail is alittle thin. When I look at the skin underneath it looks very flaky. I know hair loss can be a serious sign or a minor one.
The cage is a glass style (large pet store display type- not a fish tank) with wire cover. Inside is shaved bedding (VERY dry). No litter. Also, the food being fed looks like the same that was being given to the guinea pigs. You know, generic animal giblets. I'm thinking that the issue is situational (the bedding, cheap food) Any thoughts?