Message Number: SG9017 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: WOLFYSLUV@aol.com
Date: Fri, 4 Jun 2004 15:45:25 EDT
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Subject: Re: Blind Ferrets
Message-ID: <ce.4ef6b7f0.2df22b55@aol.com>
I've met blind ferrets before and I never realized that they were blind.
They used smell and other senses I guess to guide them. I remember one that
was even good at going outside to new environments. He played and jumped in
the fall leaves like he didn't have a handicap at all. Oddly enough this
animal was also deaf. You'd never know it. He lived in a multi ferret house hold
just fine. How he was up introductions, I have no idea.
My own personal experience with a blind ferret has not been so typical at
all. But my ferret went blind after having a normal life. What happened was
he was eventually picked on (and still can be). He startles very easily,
even at my hand touching his head ... unless I make sounds for him to hear me.
He actually noses in the air and "acts" very blind. But this is all not
typical from what I hear from others. Maybe others have ferrets who have always
been blind, I dont know. I'd sure be intersted in this behavioral as well as
health topic as well.
Can black eyed whites be more apt to acquire blindness and what can make
a ferret blind. From best estimations, this animal was 4 (3 at the youngest)
when he began to loose his site.
Wolfy
http://wolfysluv.jacksnet.com
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.