From:
Mohr
Date: 2003-09-09 01:32:45 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: senility in ferrets?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.0.20030908201803.00b71b80@pop.central.cox.net>
At 12:50 AM 9/9/2003 +0100, you wrote:
>Natasha, that sounds rather consistent with diminishing sensory imput such
>as poor eyesight, poor hearing, or both.
Thank you for your reply! I hadn't considered that. She definitely sees
just fine. She has lost her hearing within the last 6 months or so, but
that doesn't seem to bother her much. I just take care not to startle her
or "sneak up" on her. As for losing her sense of smell, I hadn't
considered that, but she has been on lasix for a very long time now -- 4
years. I did not know it had the risk of damaging sense of smell. And
since you mention it, I have noticed that she must now be brought to the
ferretone when I put some down for everyone, or she won't find it.
I think you might be right -- her sense of smell seems to be impaired. I
don't think it's gone completely, since she still has a good appetite and
loves ferretone and raisins, but she clearly can't smell like she used
to. I just tested her, and as usual she couldn't find the ferretone until
I put her face right up next to it.
I can certainly spice (no pun intended <g>) up her life with smelly
things! I will do so straight away!
What I'm not sure about, though, is how this might relate to the apathy she
now displays toward people and other ferrets, and her profound lack of
desire for any interaction. Can she no longer recognize us? Has she lost
interest since she's lost her sense of smell? Even so, you'd still think
she would want some kind of company, considering the kind of fuzzy she used
to be. But she wants none of it. Do you think this will get any better
with increased sensory input like the kind you describe?
-Natasha
End of ferrethealth Digest
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