From:
Denton@telus.net
Date: 2003-05-28 17:36:27 UTC
Subject: RE: body language of a blind 1yr.
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7613144.1054143387593.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hi
We have had a few blind ferrets ourselves. The main thing is since he seems to be afraid and uncomfortable whenever you take him out of the cage to make sure that you give him a lot of positive reinforcements when handling and bringing him out to play. Also make sure you do not move your funiture around and that his cage stays in the same place. Most of the blind ferrets will be stressed out about stuff like that. For our worst case we had we would get some ferretone and put a light coating on one hand and let the ferret lick it off while holding him and talking calmly to him but do not do this if they have a biting issue you can use a plate or something else to coat with oil. Be warned of making sure that the ferret hears that you are coming before you pick them up. Blind ferrets will sometimes bite when they dont know who or what is touching them or picking them up.
It sounds like this poor one has spent alot of time in a cage so it may take some time to get him to play and such (that would also explain why his legs give out when moving about).
But all of our blind ferrets came around and had a great time once they were comfortable with their suroundings.
Hope this help