Hello,
 
I've had my ferret Puff for about a year now, and while she's playful and
active, she quite literally stops every few seconds to either scratch or
itch - ie, she is either using her claws to scratch herself or using her
teeth to itch at her sides.  Her itchiness is independent of shedding
seasons.  I give her daily doses of laxatone, but she has coughed up
hairballs before so I know there's a concern of a more serious problem.
 
What could be causing this excessive itchiness? I've done several things -
changed the detergent I use on their bedding (it is always unscented),
not bathed her (ok, not hard to do, i never bathe any of my ferrets :),
and provided a variety of foods for her to eat (she only likes Pro Plan
kitten).  I'd like to prevent any future hairballs and ease what seems to
be discomfort on her part.
 
Melissa and the (relatively new) gang: Puff & Dot
http://www.monkey.org/~squirty/pics/puff
http://www.monkey.org/~squirty/pics/dot
[Posted in FML issue 3223]