o: John Rosloot
 I have both F.Shimbo books you mention (A Tao Full of Detours and The FURO
Book of Ferrets).  They are good but somewhat technical in parts.  If you
are looking for an interesting, well written, informative yet easily
understood book on ferrets?  "A Practical Guide to Ferret Care" by Deborah
Jeans is the perfect book.  Legion Of Superferrets National has this book
for sale (as do several other shelters and clubs).  We are a national
organization and have no problem with Canadian connections. (We reach into
Alaska) You can email me personally  at   [log in to unmask]
 
To: Rochelle
 I have three dogs and a multitude of ferrets.  Operating a shelter makes for
some trying times with our three dogs and ferrets that either dislike other
animals or never encountered dogs before.  My German Shephard thinks all
ferrets are her puppies and will tolerate all kinds of ferret abuse.  I have
lost count on how many times a ferret has attached itself to some part of
her anatomy, including her nose.
 This is what I have done if the ferret bit a dog nose more than once...
 Stay with the two animals (sit right down with them) and hold the ferret in
your hands.  Allow the dog to sniff the ferret while making certain the
ferret cannot contact the dog with its mouth. Give the ferret a treat if
there is no bite.  Do this each time they are both out for a short time.
 If the ferret manages to nip the dog's nose?  I spray my hand with Bitter
Apple before beginning and I quickly slip my finger into the mouth of the
ferret while giving a sharp NO BITE.  The taste of that stuff is horrible
and they will associate the ugly taste with the bad act.  I have known of a
person who put the Bitter Apple (I think it was the paste) on the dog's nose
so when the ferret nipped it was a direct taste sensation.
 
To: Mark Jones
 At four years of age you will have to wait (probably) for a complete coat
change for the fur to grow back on the shaved tail.  I have a hob who had an
infected hair folicle removed from his back.  This was a couple of months
ago. His skin is fuzzy but his hair will not all come back until he throws
his winter coat for his summer one.  If she changes her coat and it still
isn't growing in you may have another problem that the vet will have to take
care of.
 
To: Shelly Nice
 Sounds much like an adrenal problem.  The success rate is high for this one
and the sooner you have a vet check into the possibility  of an adrenal
tumor the better.
 
For the person who has an early spayed female exhibiting signs of estrus....
   I had a rescue come into my shelter last fall.  She was the epitomy of a
jill left much too long in heat.  My vets all thought she was intact
(breedable) until after being with my vasectomized hob and even my fertile
guys, continued to be "in heat", we opted for exploratory surgery.  They
could not find any foreign tissue and only the left adrenal was slightly
irregular.  By the way, she had a beautiful coat!  NO hair loss at all.
 The adrenal was removed and a biopsy done.  "Within normal parameters"  the
report read.  And STILL she remained in heat.
    After much searching and questioning of may other veterinarians
(including our own Dr Williams) it was decided to reduce the length of her
uterine stump (it was longer than usual).  Eureka! After 5 months with us in
this condition she is out of "heat".  Perhaps this is an answer to your
problem as well.
     Little Red is currently the happy companion of one of my vets (the one
who did the surgery).
 
Rose
 & the "Thundering herd"
 
[Posted in FML issue 0802]