From:
"Liz"
Date: 2012-02-17 12:25:50 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Lifespan question
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I agree with the no vaccinations..... I haven't vaccinated ferrets for over 8 years. Animals in this country are way over-vaccinated.
Your ferrets should get out more than 45 minutes a day.
I have 23 ferrets in 6 groups. They live in areas in our walk-out basement that is setup special for them. The rooms are seperated by Marshall playpens stretched accross the rooms to divide areas. Each area is approx 10 x 10 or larger.
They are never locked in cages. There are small covered cages in each area with only a hammock for sleep time. Lots of blankets, sleepsacks, floor tubes and floor hammocks in the rest of the room.
They are rotated every other day, so they get new surroundings and toys.
I usually have a carrier in each room with a hammock and bedding in them.
I have found that with this setup I rarely have any issues with ulcers from the stress of being in cages all day. (When I first started with the shelter/fostering we didn't have the same setup.)
Have noticed less adrenal problems with them being in the basement with only the natural daylight. They get lots of natuarl darkness. I've even had ferrets come in that are bald and/or with swollen vulvas that have gotten hair and vulvas back to normal after about 3 weeks in that environment.
Our average lifespan is 7-8 years.
Liz
[Not giving vaccinations may not be an option in certain areas because they are required by law. There is a difference between no vaccinations versus over vaccinating. It is strongly advised to at least establish initial immunity with first series vaccinations, especially when it comes to Distemper. - Moderator (TD)].
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