I've been a ferret owner for 2 years now. I've done plenty of research
and enjoy caring for my fuzzies. Even after two years though I've yet
to experience everything. Often I get stumped when my ferrets do
something odd.

I just got my baby ferret a week ago, and even though I told myself not
to buy one from Petco I just had to pick this guy up. He was covered in
feces and extremely skinny compared to the other ferrets. I called a
complaint to Petco saying the ferret exhibit was appalling and took
this guy home. He's been fine since. I've bathed him and fed him my Evo
and Kaytee Ferret Forti Diet mix and he's bulked up well. He does have
a slight stuffy nose but it clears up easily.

He's perfectly normal otherwise. He wasn't very socialized at all and
bit and feared people at first. Now he's fine though, no longer does
he bite and loves to jump into my lap to play.

Yesterday and today though I've noticed him doing something very odd
in his sleep. He'll be sleeping soundly in the hammock with my other
ferret and suddenly he'll start making this whining noise and looks
almost as if he's panicking. When he's done (usually after a couple
seconds) he's out of the hammock but still asleep. When I pick him up
immediately afterward he's limp (like he's still sleeping) and after
I pet him he wakes up and is quiet conscience.

Because he can immediately become alert afterward I suspect he just
has nightmares. Could it be something worse? Should he see a vet?

Thanks,
Amanda

[Posted in FML 6889]