>5. BEFORE I get ANY flames..  I'd like to explain my term DEAFective...
>it's a play on words (and a joke between me and a friend) ..  defective
>sounds like DEAFective.. and Romey..  I suspect is deaf... he's a sorta
>blazeish type color pattern... and doesn't react to loud sounds and
>stuff.. only occasionally does he seem to react to any sounds at all...
>which could be flukes... but I was wondering if anyone knows of a good
>home test to do... or something I could suggest to the vet when I take
>them for their shots to test to see if he really is deaf?... and I need
>some tips on training him and such... I'd like to train him and my other
>ferret to come to a lazer pointer... or vibrations from stomping on the
>floor.. any tips?
 
Hi Jules ~
 
Welcome to the list.  I have used 2 types of harness.  One was just a
collar and found out very quickly that they can get out of them.  Then I
bought a harness that had two bands one over their front legs and another
under the tummy.  Recently, I think in 'Ferrets Magazine,' someone was
advertising a harness that had a sort of webing under the ferrts tummy
that closed on top of them.  It looked very safe, yet comfortable.
 
I just adopted a little deaf ferret, Ling-ling.  She is 13 months.  I was
told she was deaf beforehand but my stepson and I did our own test at
home.  We had her in our big kitchen and banged very pot and pan we could
think of behind her back, and nothing.  You can try that.  Also I found
that deaf fuzzies seem to have endless energy.  Ling-ling still sometimes
bites or feels with her mouth as it is her way of relating to her world.
the deaf ones also seem to be very responsive to smell.
 
To get her attention as I come into a room, I follow Wolfy's website
suggestions.
 
http://wolfysluv.jacksnet.com/deaf-light.html
 
This site has been invaluable to me and I thank you for doing it!!
 
Warmly ~
Mary Conley, ND
[Posted in FML issue 4553]