Hidy!
 
We've been scanning the messages here for about a month, and we figure it
was time to introduce ourself and family.  We are Liza and Steve, and our
dynamic duo are Tasselhoff and Xena.  Tas is one years old, and the laziest
ferret I've ever seen.  He enjoys spending his days staring downwards from
their three story ferret apartment.  Xena (oh, if you only knew how well the
name fits!) is 19 weeks old and enjoys spending her day attacking Tas in an
attempt to make his life more entertaining, or so she says.  We absolutely
adore them, ofcourse!  We've both had dogs, rabbits, hamsters, lizards, etc,
but we have found ferrets to be the most satisfying of buddies.
 
Anyhow, we have a bit of a problem with our little loonies.  Tas, being smug
and lazy, has developed the 'talent' of going to the bathroom while still on
the stairs.  He no longer gets down and into the litter, but he now
essentially just throws his butt over the side and does his business.  Upon
watching her big bro do this, Xena has decided that it is ok too!  So now
she is just going anywhere she pleases.  SCREAM!
 
I have read all of the info I can get my hands on, and they say to move the
litter box.  Its rather difficult to put it on the stairs, although now
there is one under them.  Any ideas as to how to get these two pranksters to
start using the litter box again?  I'm using the recycled paper litter, and
I change it every day or so.  I leave little examples in it.
 
I am wondering if this has to do with the fact that about two months ago he
was quite ill.  Our vet wasn't sure if it was ECE or not, but he had the
icky poops, lost half his body weight, and just plain scared us and our vet.
He had to have an I.V., medicine, baby food, etc.  He's better now, although
a lot more docile.
 
Also, have you ever had a ferret who hissed as if she had asthma?  Whenever
Xena gets excited she stars inhaling rapidly, with her mouth wide open.  If
I hold her, she relaxes and is okeedokee.  (As a side note, Steve was
wondering if they have Ridilin for baby ferrets; Xena is quite the little
psycho! :} ).
 
And lastly, I was wondering as to the status of the shelter down here in
South Florida.  I had heard a while back that they were inundated with ECE.
Anyone have an update?  I'd love to volunteer or help out in some way.
 
Thanks and Bidy,
 
Liza, Steve,Tas, Xena, and the much cowering rabbit Gwen.
[Posted in FML issue 1607]