From:
"lothiriel_bb"
Date: 2008-10-28 10:28:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] New Ferret Issues
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
We've just taken in two more ferrets. I had my doubts about doing so,
and now I'm really questioning myself. But, these little guys were in
a less than desirable situation and I couldn't bring myself to say
no. Neither had been handled much in almost a year, so I suspect that
to be the root of our problem. However, I'm wondering about a few
other possibilities.
The problem we're having is that one of them is a biter. I was warned
that he's "nippy", which we've delt with before so I wasn't too
worried. But this guy, who we've named Pepe, doesn't just nip. When
he got me the other night he chomped down so hard I could actually
HEAR the skin break. Knowing he's a bit testy, I've been very careful
not to make sudden movements around him. In fact, at the time he got
me I was sitting perfectly still. He literally lunged and chomped.
I've re-read all I can find on bite training and, as I said, I
suspect this behavior is a product of prior mishandling and then a
long stretch of no handling. He may, in addition to that, have ear
mites. (We can't go to the vet until his 10 day quarantine is over
because he's not has his rabies vacccine.) So, I know that could be
making him grumpy. I'm considering calling the vet to see if I could
bring in a swap from his ear for them to test. Although, to be
honest, I'm a bit leary of trying to treat him right now!
I noticed something last night, however, that has me wondering if
there could be another contributing factor. These new guys don't have
any tatoos on their ears. The other three have all got two dots,
which I had read somewhere indicated they had been altered and
descented. This leaves me wondering about the possibility that these
guys are unaltered. It was my understanding that in New York State a
liscence was required to own unaltered ferrets, but I could be wrong
and people break the rules all the time. It seems a bit silly to ask
how I can be sure, but having never met an unaltered ferret, I'm not
sure if it would be as obvious as say an unaltered cat. If anyone
could enlighten me, I'd be greatful.
- Brandy
Slave to Rambo, Sophia, Sugar, Henri, and Pepe
Forever missing Mimi
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