I posted a couple of times for ferrets wanted in Ohio. I also put up an
ad at PetClassifieds.us. Well, I got answered twice: once in March (3-4
yr. old Rhys and 6 yr. old Frost) and once this past weekend. I was
told to expect on Saturday a pair of ferrets (3-4 yr. old Codo and 3
yr. old Ayla) with a large cage and all their belongings. The male was
supposed to show a slight wabble when walking, because he fell off the
top of his cage, when he was young. A LITTLE wabbly!!!

Codo has an appointment Tuesday with a ferret specialist to examine the
obvious lump in the middle of his spine and two breaks in his tail. He
can walk (with a sort of scoot), but has to put mega effort into making
it up the slightest incline (sometimes backwards, so his strong front
legs support his weak hind end against gravity). The injuries have
obviously healed and don't seem to cause him pain -- no nashing of
teeth, flinching, etc., when playing or being manipulated by hand. He
is cheerful and sweet, a cute short-bodied chocolate male with
beautiful long soft guard hairs. I want the vet to take an expert look
to tell me if their are pain signs I've missed. If he's in pain, well,
I'll have to send him to SaraFerret at the Rainbow Bridge; if he's
more-or-less alright (as much as he can be with those kind of
injuries), then I'll be happy to keep him with his partner, Ayla.

Frost and Rhys are accepting the two new ones quite well. There is a
bit of dominance fighting between Ayla with Frost and Rhys, but nothing
too serious. Nobody picks on Codo, ever. Ayla is very protective of her
partner, often helping him balance and choosing to sleep with and stay
near him rather than go off much on her own; she is devoted to Codo.
Yes, I seem to love the new little ones, unwise as it is to let injured
little Codo hold my heart before the all-important vet visit.

Please assert prayers that Codo can come home from the vet's tomorrow.

Sincerely,
Lori
Ferrets: Rhys, Frost, Codo, & Ayla
Cats: Reaganne & Little Miss

OT: Our cat, Little Miss, has the nervous habit of licking the hair
off her hind legs from mid-thigh to ancle. There is no redness or rash
on the skin, no fleas or other uninvited critters causing this action.
She does it most when she feels she isn't getting enough attention
or another of the pets is receiving attention. I've heard of birds
plucking out feathers out of bordum or jealousy, but not a cat licking
her fur off for it. We do play with her, but not much, because the
arthritis in her front right shoulder acts up with too much activity.
How do I stop the licking?

[Posted in FML 6316]