How much water is it normal for a ferret to drink? I ask because Silk seems to
be drinking LOTS. We give him water in a ceramic ramekin which holds about 3/4
cup water at a time (and no, he doesn't tip it or splash in it being a dignified
older gentleman), and we have to fill it at least once a day. He weighs less
than 1 lb. I thought maybe evaporation was the culprit, but he's also producing
a high volume of urine. We just cleaned his litter recently, and it currently
contains 5 "solids" and a wet patch that is 5-6 inches across (hard to be too
exact, as his habits aren't perfect). He's healthy, alert, nice thick coat now.
No dehydration (skin pinch test) so some of the water is staying inside at
least. My worried mom voice says "Oh no, he's diabetic!" while my rational
scientist voice says "You don't even know how much a ferret is supposed to drink
and pee. He started drinking more when he started growing back his coat and
gaining weight this winter. Any advice? If it's urgent, please mail me
privately, as my list mail is getting to me about a week behind.
 
Also, with respect to the Chicago Anti-Cruelty situation: I read recently that
our local humane society kills all ferrets it receives. Darn near broke my heart
considering all the money I've given/raised-for them. So I called. Turns out
it's the evil government, not the evil society. Being in a public building (even
though it was built with private funds--go figure), they can't keep ferrets in
defiance of county rules. Their policy is to give the info on our local ferret
group to anyone wanting to give up a ferret. That way, the person has access to
ferret shelters who will find the furry a good home. The ones the Humane Society
winds up with are generally neglected, poorly bred specimens who are so
personality-damaged they wouldn't find a good home anyways. Now I feel sympathy
for the Humane Society and more pi***d than usual at our local government.
 
********************************************************************************
Wendy Hudson  [log in to unmask]
The clan: Lloyd (husband)
          Maggie (english springer spaniel)
          Friday and Marcus (cats)
          Silk (ferret)
          Fletcher (bird)
 
[Posted in FML issue 0757]