From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-12-26 21:37:19 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Tips for abused ferrets or ones who are extremely uneasy
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
It strikes me that with some of the recent discussions and
so very, very many adopting ferrets who have been through
great hardship recently that a general discussion of things
which have helped ferrets in the past may be of great use.
So, I'll get it started but I know that there are a lot of people
here who have a great many things to add.
1. Very slow introductions which are done first during positive
and low stress situations, for instance, during treats which are
freely shared by the person or after getting the ferrets very tired
putting the sleeping ferrets together on one's lap for short
periods.
2. Indirect introductions such as trading their sleeping clothes
back and forth, or placing their cages next o each other with the
comfort of back to back litter pans (scent marking) but also some
back to back very positive things like both getting a well loved
treat such as A/D mixed with heated water at the same time, even
a shared cloth over both cages at night so that they can smell
each other sleeping
3. For those who are afraid of hands, the use of the thick cloth
instead of gloves so that the sight of hands by those who have been
slapped does not happen but being held becomes a source of
comfort.
4. Notes -- always, always take notes on such individuals. You very
commonly will find a behavioral trigger that you'd never have thought
about before, such as one of ours who was set off by oil cloth. When
we realized what the common theme was we were able to try the same
things from that time and when given an oil cloth coat on the floor she
immediately began beating it up, so we allowed her to destroy the coat.
Afterward she felt so relieved.
5. If one has been kicked a lot then elevated cage and play surface may
be helpful.
6. Consistency is important, esp. once something appears to be the right
direction.
7. Trust is an essential part of the foundation for the best relationship
that can exist between species.
I know there are so many, many tips others with experience in rehabbing
abused ferrets can add. PLEASE, ADD TO THIS LIST, YOU WHO ARE
EXPERIENCED!
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
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