Hi All!
Paula -
Baby ferrets go through a "normal" biting stage.  It is at this
time that we have to gently let them know this is unacceptable
behavior.  While ferrets skin is tough their little noses
aren't.  We all know how it feels when we get "thumped" on the
nose, and although I've heard of humans using this method, I
never do.  Depending on whether the biting is genetic or not
(yes, this is hereditary), it can take days, weeks or even
months to curb this bad habit.  Coco Puffs took several months
(not her fault, her previous owner kept her caged most of the
time and didn't socialize her) and 1 year later sometimes when
she kisses she'll gently grab your lip (this is just a test).
I giggle at her and she lets go but this can be quite shocking
to someone unaware of the test.  The kits were terrible about
biting (hereditary and their owner kept them caged ALL the time
till she turned them over to me at 13 weeks).  For my hands and
feet I spray bitter apple (never spray in their mouths) all over
and also gently swat little bottoms and yell NO! or EEEK! or
AHHH! and sometimes I scream (cause they surprise me).  I've
also used the stick the finger further in the mouth and the hold
down the tongue trick.  Now we play chase up and down the
hallway and they never bite.  I go barefoot in the house a lot
so they are quite use to it.  One little girl will put her nose
on my foot and hold it there (again another test) but she never
bites.  If you think training one not to bite is difficult, try
8! (eeek, ahhh, youch!)
 
To Anon regarding Charlie -
For dehydration Pedialyte (an electrolyte replacer found in baby
foods section) fruit flavor is excellent for replacing fluids.
The reason for the low electrolyte and protein levels would
normally be caused from not eating or drinking and diarrhea.
Did your vet put him on antibiotics?  Rick White recommends .25
of 1 cc of Pepto Bismal for diarrhea (probably 2-4 times a day).
If diarrhea persists more than 1 day I'd recommend a trip to the
vet (which you've done) and an antibiotic along with an
intensive fluid/feeding regime.  You may want to try the recipe
I posted a few days ago (if you don't feed Totally Ferret you
can substitute whatever other high quality food you feed such as
Iams or Science Diet), be sure to crush the nuggets to a fine
powder and mix with Science Diet A/D and pedialyte (you can omit
the Feline Pro-Balance if its not available in your area).  The
most important thing is to get Charlie to eat and drink.  Try to
get 60 cc's per pound per day of fluids (1/4 cup holds 45 cc's)
into the little guy.  I've found that Pedialyte (fruit flavor)
is readily accepted even when water is not.  You may have to
feed with an eyedropper at first, but once he gets the taste he
should eat on his own (if he isn't too weak).  I hope he doesn't
have what Gizzie has.  You can e-mail direct if you'd like.
[log in to unmask]
 
Gizzie Update -
Well Gizzie's test came back negative.  I'm happy to report that
the diarrhea and discharge is gone but his little bottom is
still quite sore.  He's not thrilled about the Tucks wipes but
they seem to help.  His energy level is up and he even pinched
me this morning to get me out of bed!  Thanks to those who
contacted me on the Gentocin toxicity.  The first time Gizzie
got sick, we tried the chloramphenicol (sp) and several other
antibiotics that were recommended but none worked and Gizzie was
near death.  He'd lost 30% of his weight and his little body
felt like mush.  Oral Gentocin was our last hope along with the
already intensive fluid/food therapy.  We had not tried flagyl
(sp) and after speaking with Dr. Wardell we decided to stick
with gentocin (as they are both wide range and we'd had success
with it).  Because Gizzie is doing so well, I'm going to try
taking him off the Gentocin in 2 weeks.
 
Matt -
9 day old babies are very small and too little for an implant in
my opinion.  Although I don't agree with the implant at all and
think it is totally unnecessary, if it must be done, perhaps it
can be done when they are spayed/neutered.  It seems to me if
the dept requires the implant they should have to purchase the
equipment to read and data base the chips (perhaps a cost they
don't want).  Thought I'd post this on the FML but I'll e-mail
you directly on the other regs.   A place where ferrets are
"running at large" is called paradise!  I'd move there in a
heartbeat!
 
Hugs to all!  tle
 
[Posted in FML issue 0917]