From:
"possum1213"
Date: 2008-04-11 11:55:14 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Lack of socialization?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Often, if you get a ferret who has never been around other ferrets, it
takes a good while for them to adapt to the others. After a
quarantine, I always put a new ferret into their own cage next to the
other cage(s), and slowly start introductions. It's pretty easy to
tell the ones who are not used to other ferrets. They do startle
easily, will scream/cry, and will run from the others. If you have
patience, they usually (not always) will eventually get used to the
others and will slowly start playing and sleeping with them. After
another period of time, I might try them in the "big" cage with the
others, but still don't take their small cage away until I'm sure they
are OK. Often they will be moved between the two cages as needed.
Sometimes, you can let them out to play together but they never will
live in the big cage. I have had two recently like that. One is a
boy who is a bully with the others. He actually goes after them, so
he has his own separate cage. However, I have noticed that he is
becoming less aggressive over time, but I don't think he will ever
live with the others. I've had him about six months now.
Another was a 7 y.o. blind girl who had clearly never been around
other ferrets. I had her for about a year and she just recently died
from lymphoma. I set her up in a playpen, so she could easily find
everything. She wasn't aggressive towards the others, but would snap
and hiss as them if they approached her. As long as she was left
alone, she was fine.
I agree with Sukie that she may be blind. If she is walking around
and is walking into objects, that would be a pretty sure sign that she
either can't see, or has some neurological problems. I have found
that most blind ferrets will hug the walls until they learn their way
around. Some people recommend scent marking for blind ferrets, but I
have never seen a need for any special scent marking or other
assistance. Once they find their way around, they do just fine.
It sounds like a thorough vet exam is in order.
Katharine
Florida
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