I think sharing ferret accidents is a valuable way to help others avoid
them so please do share.

In 20+ years I've had a few accidents that continue to rip my heart to
shreds and a few close calls.

My first ferret got out the doggie door because I had company over and
her 4yr old picked Nipper up and put him over the barrier without my
knowledge. sigh. Looked for a month day and night, sleeping little.
Several sightings by others but never found him. My Lesson learned -
whenever company is over ALWAYS monitor ferrets and company with an
eagle eye and never leave the doggie door open when ferrets are out.

My second ferret died because I checked cage and felt a lump in the
bedding but didn't make sure it was her. DeeDee got out the dog door
and one of the dogs... My Lesson learned - never assume the lump is
a ferret, check by opening the bedding to see the ferret and do head
counts twice.

A very sweet chubby little girl got caught between pipes under the sink
cabinet and suffocated. My Lesson learned - make sure pipes under sinks
are large enough for ferrets to easily pass by or make sure ferrets
don't have access to them. This also applies to furniture and any type
of tube, including paper towel and toilet paper.

One of the ferrets got his head stuck under a shelf in the pantry.
I had to break the shelf with a hammer to get him out. My Lesson
learned - make sure all toeholds are covered and shelves are blocked
or removed.

I was closing a drawer and one of the ferrets reached up and stuck her
head below the drawer as I was closing it and got slightly pinched. She
was stunned for a minute and recovered fine. My Lesson learned - don't
use drawers at ferret level (better yet, get rid of dressers and use
plastic see through tubs).

I've accidently stepped partially on one or two when they run between
my feet - fortunately there weren't any other ferrets near when I fell
to avoid putting all my weight on them. My Lesson learned - I fall
good.

So when you visit us and I seem tense and a bit over-reactive now you
know why I'm on hyper-sensitive alert.

tle
www.ferretfamilyservices.org

[Posted in FML 6093]