From:
pjdutche@email.unc.edu
Date: 2003-07-30 15:04:32 UTC
Subject: RE: Repeated request: the health problems of rescues (Barb Clay may beable to to use this info right now.)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5976952.1059577472309.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I think others have covered the physical problems really well... Something else I've come across with a large-ish breeder rescue is socialization problems. Litter/paper training can be a little trying but is usually not so bad - they often are used to a filthy environment and will poop anywhere, including on bedding, in the beginning. But that usually clears up on its own quite quickly in a cleaner environment with the ferrets' natural latrine instincts.
The lingering issues, I think, stem mostly from lack of handling. When someone is taking poor care of large numbers of ferrets, and probably leaving them cage-bound most if not all of the time, the ferrets' mental health suffers. Youngsters born into that environment might not even be handled at all. Some may be biters that will take some work, but others will just be really fearful and skittish.
In my very limited experience, most of these ferrets will come around with patience, gentle handling, and simply being placed in a healthy environment with human interaction. However, a small minority may always have "issues." I have one such ferret in my home - I love her and she has come a very long way over the last couple of years, but she will never be a bold, friendly ferret.
She stresses easily, hides from all noises and movements. She's getting braver and now pokes her head out to beg for treats and will take them from your hand before running for cover to enjoy the treat. If the house is quiet, I can hold her and handfeed her chicken gravy. I can also trim her nails with the ferretone-belly technique if everything is quiet - if the phone rings, or if my husband walks into the room, etc, she is heading for cover, though. She has to be sedated at the vet's office; it's just inhumane to try to do any procedures, even regular ones like blood draws, with her awake. She is a happy, plapyful ferret, though, in her own way - she comes out and dances and runs through tubes and will even come out and pounce on human hands for a second when she's *really* wound up. My vet calls her "Nell" after the movie character. hee.
Most of the ferrets from this rescue, especially the former hobs, settled down fine and are now rubust and playful. There are a couple of other girl ferrets from this batch with much the same behavior as I described above, although my girl seems to be the most extreme. Whether it's all down to lack of early handling, or if some of it is a genetic problem resulting in a "personality disorder", the main point is that these ferrets can be difficult to place and will probably always need special consideration.
Funny story - At one point, I had around a dozen or so ferrets from this breeder rescue in my spare bedroom. It had a half-door barrier so we could see in but they couldn't get out. There were groups that could be out together, and the largest such group was out. Maybe around 7 or so ferrets bouncing around and playing with the toys. These ferrets were all really skittish since it was early in the rescue yet and would run for cover at sudden noises and movements. My husband walked by and smacked his hand accidentally into the door. He glanced into the room and saw NO ferrets at all. The only sign that there had been ferrets in there was a lone plastic easter egg, spinning rapidly in the middle of the floor. Well, that and the odor of startled poofing. LOL! After a couple of minutes, little curious heads started peeping out from under the furniture and the games were on again.
Best wishes,
-Pam S.