From:
"muirfield2001"
Date: 2011-08-09 14:01:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Update on Introduction of New Ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I had written previously about bringing home 5 month old Lexie from Petco as a companion for almost 7 year old Bridget (and companion for me), after we lost Bridget's mate since being a baby. Clementine died in mid-July, and Bridget was acting depressed so I rushed out and got her a new ferret without realizing the potential ramifications. This was my first time introducing a new ferret, as my first ferret who lived till almost 9 was an "only child" and my other three (of whom Bridget is the only remaining) all started out together. With Lexie, I kept them separate for a few days while swapping bedding and did gradual introductions. It was a problem from the start of the introductions. Lexie is an otherwise nice, sweet and fun ferret who constantly tries to attack and dominate Bridget and it has upset Bridget very much. When I posted previously on this (right after I brought Lexie home), I received some very good advice from people. Thank you. Unfortunately, and this is probably a cautionary tale regarding introducing a new ferret to a grieving ferret, things did not improve when I would do regular supervised time with my older girl and new girl. I have a large six level cage and have kept them separated and have given them each ample separate playtime/attention. Bridget's stress continued to the point that after a supervised playtime on Saturday that went badly, she began grinding her teeth, not eating or drinking on her own (prior to bringing Lexie home she was very healthy) and being lethargic. I took her to the vet Monday morning and she was hospitalized, probably coming home tomorrow. They thought there might be an obstruction after taking xrays, but I was convinced this was gastritis/ulcers from the stress of the new ferret. They did a barium drip which ruled out a foreign body in the stomach/intestinal track and what I thought was going on seems to be the case. She is getting a lot of fluids, assist feeding, sulcrafate (carafate), and antibiotics. It is also unclear as to whether Lexie may have given her a touch of ECE as the poops became birdseed like on Sunday and they are still showing green at the hospital. I am pretty devastated by all this. The sum up is that to help Bridget and me get over our grief regarding losing our dear Clementine, I went right to Petco and brought home a young ferret. And now my other girl is going straight downhill. I simply can't believe it and now I understand what I have read for years about ferrets showing health symptoms when under stress. Several friends asked why I didn't return Lexie to Petco within their 15 day return policy or why I don't now try to get her another home. The short answer: because it is not her fault, and you make a commitment when you bring a pet in to your family. Also, because she is full grown size - and ferrets aren't selling well, she would likely just sit in a pet store for months. My ferrets have their own bedroom, tons of toys and a fabulous cage. But there is no place else in my house where I can let them play safely, so separate rooms is not an option. At this point, I am so worried about the continued stress on Bridget when I bring her home, that I have thought about trying to find Lexie another home - but really, I can't bring myself to do that to Lexie. Thus, my plan is to always keep them separate, no more supervised play at all, and they will simply have to smell each other in the room and know that each occupies one half of their large multi-level cage and I just pray that will be okay for Bridget to restore to health. At the hospital, all her bloodwork and xrays showed an otherwise healthy ferret except for what is going on gastro-intestinally. I feel absolutely awful that I have unwittingly caused so much pain and stress for my beautiful girl. She has been so ill the last few days, including vomiting. I am heart broken about it and mad at myself that I didn't more thoroughly research the issue of bringing a new ferret home and that I did it *right after* Clemy died. My motives were good, and were for both me and Bridget, but it has not gone well. Any feedback is welcome, because I don't how to get past blaming myself. Thank you.
Lisa
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