Message Number: SG2828 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: sukiec@optonline.com
Date: Tue, 7 Jan 2003 20:30:54 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Subject: RE: Ferret with psychological trauma
Message-ID: <31145601.1041971454908.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dan, was the injury recent? If so, you really do have to expect this for a while.
Yes, sometimes ferrets do wind up leery of anything with teeth long term. We had one like that, but we have also had abuse victims who just plain needed a long period of time to readjust and realize that threats in the every day world are usually small ones. Patience, loving attention for all, and observation will allow you to design an environment best suited to healing and then things that cause stress can be gradually reintroduced. You should expect to have to alter the surroundings to minimize whatever causes tension for a while, though, even if it means doing things like offering the ferrets time together that is special time (tubes to play in together that aren't usually available, treats to share, wearing them out separately so that you can put both asleep on your lap together, etc.)
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.