From:
Donna R Clark
Date: 2002-01-30 23:05:00 UTC
Subject: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: Ferret Eating Poop - Help!
Dear Katharine;
Thank so much for answering me. I guess I am one of those over-reactive
moms. I guess this is a wait and watch thing. I plan on getting him
neutered in late March(maybe earlier.) Hopefully I will never have to watch
a disgusting thing like that again. I knew that dogs did it, but had no
idea that a ferret would do it.
The only reason I thought it might be abnormal is because I have never heard
of another ferret ever doing something like this. I guess you could be
right, what is disgusting in our human lives, could be the norm in
(some)animals.
I called my vet, she said that the bacteria in the poop should not hurt him
in any way. Just disgusting!
He is only eating the poop of one of my females. He is in ferret-puberty.
He is not sure what is making him crazy. His hormones have gone wild.
He is really a beautiful, sweet baby(all four plus pounds of him.) He is a
very light cinnamon, almost a champagne color. With very long, thick, soft
fur. He has the short nose like what people call a "bulldog" ferret. His
name is Sterling.
I have some friends that are envious, and would like to have him, but he is
in his forever home. He was a birthday gift from a very special lady. He
was born on my birthday, so I can never forget his birthday.
I guess I have rambled on long enough. I am sure I told way more about my
poop-eater than you really wanted to know.
Thanks again,
Donna(and my eight fuzzy owners)
----- Original Message -----
From: kath0524 <katharine@n...>
To: <Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, January 30, 2002 2:17 PM
> Donna,
> Our standards of hygiene differ greatly from animals. Many animals
> eat their feces. It is thought to be a way of getting nutrients they
> may be missing. Maybe it's a way of covering their tracks. Who
> knows.
>
> I raise orphaned opossums. When they are older, I move them to a
> cage. Some days, I get home and their cage is spotless. Do I think
> they have all gone all day without defacating? I don't think so.
> Other days, they make a total mess.
>
> Certainly, have your vet check him out but I don't think this
> necessarily means he is ill.
>
> This may not be so common with ferrets but I personally don't think
> it's abnormal. Maybe one of the vets will comment. I know it's
> pretty common with dogs.
>
> I understand about the kissy stuff. Cedes occasionally drinks his
> urine and I get goose bumps when he tries to give me kissies.
>
> Katharine
>
>
>
>
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