Message Number: SG12230 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "kazpat1@juno.com"
Date: 2005-01-08 17:29:38 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] itchy
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20050108.092946.29675.50415@webmail02.lax.untd.com>

A couple things to consider. One is to look at his skin- is it dry or flaky? Red or any rash? Paw pads get red or ears- like an allergic reaction to something?

Do you use fabric softener, I once had a whole room of itchy ferrets, stopped the fabric softener and used only scent free detergents and that helped a lot.
I don't bathe my ferrets very much, but sometimes over bathing can dry out the ferret and lead to dry skin.

Also look for any signs of adrenal gland disease, can also make a ferret itchy. Fur thinning or loss, skin changes, dry /rough fur,etc.

Anything else in the cage or room that may be causing itching? Do you use cleaners on the rug, or sprays on the ferret, or is the room dry with little humidity?
What food is he eating? Litter do you use?

Patty

-- katy3139@hotmail.com wrote:
My 3 year old ferret is really itchy. We got him from a person who was pcsing. Salt and his buddy Pepper who passed away last October were very itchy. They would get up all of a sudden and itch for like 10 seconds and then go back to what they were doing. The person who gave them to us didn't say anything about. We thought it was just a change in environment. The previous owner used wood shaving in their cage which I read was not good for them. We have never used shavings we use some old t shirts. We wash his bedding weekly and bathe him about every 2 months. Salt had stopped itching for awhile but he had just recently started again. It is the same as it used to be. I have looked all through his fur, there are no signs of fleas or mites. He overall is very healthy. Any suggestions on why he is doing this? Thanks in advance.
Katy and my Salt