From:
"ncferretmom"
Date: 2007-10-17 12:43:14 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: ohio ferret jillmaybe wth the kits
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Neal, I was in Ohio at Lori's before you arrived. The ferrets were
examined and, while it is entirely possible to miss one or two, most
of the ferrets were given hormone shots if they were in heat. Those
that were thought to be pregnant were placed with experienced
breeders. There were a few more that turned up pregnant, but attempts
to separate jills and hobs was made to prevent additional pregnancies.
The day I arrived, an experienced breeder was examining ferrets and
the day before I left a vet with breeder experience also examined
several possibly pregnant jills. So, it is highly unlikely you got a
pregnant jill, although it is possible.
Now, I will be the FIRST to admit, I don't know nothin' 'bout birthin'
no ferrets, Miz Scarlett! But, I was told that the circumstances of
the move and the unseasonably hot weather could cause some of the
jills to go into heat. I returned with one in heat and one brought out
of heat with a shot. There is also a pair of young ferrets that is one
male, one female. They demonstrate no apparent sexual interest at all.
She is not in heat, either.
I was told that if the female is mated, the vulva will slowly subside,
but if the vulva stays large, the female was not mated. I was also
told that it can take several months for the jill in heat to become
anemic, so there is time to get her spayed or treated.
I would definitely suggest a vet visit, but not just for the one jill.
There have been ear mites, coccidia and giardia from these little
guys. I returned with one who has giardia. Also, dental problems
resulting from cage-biting may have occurred. The old guy with giardia
also has a broken canine and gingivitis was so bad he could not eat
his kibble. Although they were given water bottles, it was also
obvious that some preferred a dish and would wait till we sprayed them
with water to drink. They were not sure how to use the water bottles,
but did improve with it.
Finally, let me share a story of an experienced ferret owner/shelter
operator. She does not breed but took in two rescues one day. When she
went to check on them in the morning, she found a sleep sack filled
with kits and no mama. She had not even known the jill WAS a jill,
much less pregnant! She thought she had a sprite. However, the jill
was not a very good mama, the shelter operator had no birth experience
and the entire litter died over the next 24 hours, despite her best
efforts and advice from experienced breeders. Ferret births are
difficult, at best, I understand, and the lives of mom and kits are
often in jeopardy until a certain point.
Hope this non-professional opinion and observation helps!
renee :)
Oh! Nearly forgot. I also received info that the two following methods
also work to bring them out of heat:
1. Lupron injection
2. Melatonin at 1 mg/day 6-8 hours after sunrise for about a week
before results seen.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "neal" <leo5569@...> wrote:
>
> i was just taking photos tonight and one of the jills vuvla is
> swollen having never dealt with this i need help yes a vet trip will
> be made im postng photo sunder leo5569 im worried she has gone into
> heat thats my number one worry second is that she is with kits.if
> anyone has expericance with tis please may i call you or you can all
> me if you feel better about it
>
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