From:
"William M. Davidson"
Date: 2004-11-03 22:09:23 UTC
Subject: Hobbes aggressiveness
To: ferret-list@cunyvm.cuny.edu, ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20041103150922.A46606@plato.nmia.com>
Hobbs has been a very docile fuzzbutt until recently. For the last
month he has occasionally bit me. A few times he drew blood. This
morning he attacked my daughters shoe. (She was not wearing it at
the time.) Not just a friendly attack but he clamped down on the
shoe, shook the shoe continuously, and shrieked very loudly. This
went on for about 20 minutes before I was finally able to take the
shoe slowly from him. He was not in pain as far as I could tell.
He was just in mortal combat with this shoe. I realized for the
first time how a fuzzbutt could kill a full-grown rabbit. It was
scary. I took our other fuzzies back to their cage for their own
protection. He finally responded to my calm talking and soothing
strokes on his head and neck. I did not put my hand anywhere close
to his mouth. I don't think I will be able to let him out with the
other fuzzies until I determine what caused this incident. To be
truthful, I have fear he may latch on to some part of me and not
let go for 20 minutes.
Hobbes has been very healthy over the last year and a half that we
have had him. He is currently 3 years old. I noticed in this last
month, he is getting fussy with food. I normally mix several kinds
of quality ferret/kitten foods. I noticed that he is picking out
certain types of kibble from his bowl. I also notice he gobbles
down treats like he is famished. This last month he doesn't show
the same interest playing with the other fuzzbutts or humans. Also,
he is sleeping more.
After reading some about adrenal disease, this sounds like an extreme
case of aggressiveness. He does not show any signs of hair loss.
However, our other fuzzies have already lost their summer coat and
have a thick winter coat growing in. Hobbes still has his summer
coat. He has lost about .4 pound since the last time I weighed him
(about 1 year ago).
Are there other illnesses that cause extreme aggressiveness?
Our vet examined him and took blood yesterday, before the attack,
to find a reason for his other symptoms. That test came back normal.
Our vet thinks it may be adrenal and suggests the adrenal blood
test. I plan to have blood sent to the University of Tennessee for
their adrenal test. If that is positive, I will schedule surgery.
If the surgery is weeks away, I may also get some Lupron to counteract
the testosterone to keep Hobbes from attacking.
Are there other drugs that would also counteract the testosterone?
Please send me any opinions, insights or anything you may have.
I don't want to be fearful of my fuzzy! I just want him to get better!
--
William M. Davidson
grateful@nmia.com
1704 Blume, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505 294 4571
Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they
don't want, to impress people they don't like.
-Will Rogers