From:
TrebleClef84@yahoo.com
Date: 2004-07-15 22:45:52 UTC
Subject: Ferret Itching
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <244532.1089931552012.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hi,
My name is Nichole and this is my first post on the board. I have to ferrets- one male and one female. Slinky, the girl, is about 7 months old and Noodle, the boy, I suspect is about the same age. Here lately, they have developed an itch- more so than normal. I bathe them with a ferret shampoo once every week. Is this too much? I am hoping that the problem is due to dry skin. What should I look for to tell if they have dry skin. What should I use on them? We also have an infestation of fruit flies (which is unfortunately common in North Florida during the summer). Although I have read about them not biting (and I found a very nice "fly trap" that seems to be working)I can't help but think that they might also be causing it. I have ruled out ear mites because they itch their ears, feet, legs, bodies, necks, and footpads.
Also, the little girl seems to have soft, red stool. I know that the red comes from the dye in the food. I recently changed their diet to this food, but Noodle does not seem to have any trouble adapting to it. She does not seem to have as much stool as she used to. She still eats, drinks, and acts the same; but when she goes to the bathroom it isn't as much as I remember. read somewhere that these are signs of a blockage that has not yet moved in to the intestines. Has anyone else heard of this? I might just be paranoid because I have been reading about ferret diseases alot lately.
OK, one more question(s). I am currently studying to become a veterinarian. I am an undergraduate Biology major in my second year. Does anyone have any advice for me as far as what I should do before I get into graduate school? Any books that you would recommend? I sadly have already checked out all of the veterinarian books I could find in my area. Thanks so much in advance for all the help.