From:
<grape_apes@charter.net>
Date: 2007-06-20 18:21:22 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Agressive getting worse
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I personally would get both vet-checked and have some bloodwork done. Depending on what that shows, an adrenal panel for each might not be a bad idea. Milo may seem young at one for adrenal disease, but it is still a possibility and not unheard of, and may explain why he is aggressive towards ALL of the other ferrets, not just Pixie (though sometimes if one is adrenal, they do seem "different" to the others and this may result in her getting picked on; but since he seems to be aggressive towards everyone, I'd wonder more if the problem was with him, not her).
Milo may also just be one of those ferrets that will never tolerate other ferrets. My Daisy does NOT do well with any other ferrets-she will tolerate the one I have that pretty much stays clear of her, and the one I am babysitting, who also pretty much avoids her, but she screams bloody murder if another ferret gets near her and tries to bite them, and I have had her for two years. After two years of this intolerance she has and several failed attempts at integration, I have stopped trying (she is too old and has too many diseases for me to keep trying to stress her by putting her with everyone else, and it just gets her beat up by my two younger males, too) and she gets housed separately, which suits her just fine. She only wants me and humans for companionship. (Interestingly, she couldn't care less about other types of animals-she doesn't even seem to notice the large dogs, etc where I work, and has been right next to my friends' dogs without even batting an eyelash...)
So first I'd try and rule out any medical causes for the behavior and symptoms each is showing (Pixie may certainly just be exhibiting stress responses and signs, but it is worth being sure), and then consider behavioral causes.
Just my opinion.
Best,
April (vet tech and ferret owner)
"His coat is normal, soft, silky. But as mentioned, he will rarely eat
unless put in the cage, because he seems to focus on going after the
others relentlessly.
I've read some of the archives regarding aggressive behavior, and I
think he's too young to have adrenal disease since he's only 1yr old.
My oldest ferret, Pixie, is having some changes... thinner, though not
boney, etc., and her coat is coarse, and she appears to have 'rat
tail' lately. I've been watching to see if she's becoming aggressive,
but she's actually behaving more stressed out or depressed and tends
to avoid Milo whenever she can.
IF she is having adrenal problems, would that make Milo more
aggressive to the others AND to her? Or could two things or more be
going on here? I still have to have Pixie checked out, especially
reading about the coarse hair being a possible sign of adrenal. But I
would like to find out why Milo is so aggressive and hopefully change
this behavior."
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