I just need to get this out.  I had a terrible experience with my baby
ferret, Misty yesterday.  She's about 12 weeks old now and last night she
was playing oh, so happily and all of a sudden we heard that terrible
chattering sound.  At first I though LouLou was biting her too hard which
was doubtful, but then I realized that she was caught on the boom-box under
an end table.  She had gotten stuck briefly once before and we thought it
was just a fluke but now we've moved that stereo far away.
 
So, my husband tried desparately to move the table and get to Misty, but
in the meantime she started shrieking and screaming incredibly loud - it
sounded painful!  My husband handed her to me and I inspected her paws and
her right front paw was bleeding!  He found her toenail stuck in one of the
holes of the speaker.  She had ripped it off!  She wasn't crying anymore
once she was free but she didn't want her paw touched.  I freaked out (so
much for remaining calm) but I eventually got the bleeding under control and
we put her in her cage so she wouldn't injure it further.  We decided that
it was gross but because it wasn't bleeding and she was acting OK, we would
wait and see how it healed before going to the vet.  I was a basket case and
still am.  I felt so bad for her and soooo guilty.  This morning she was
just itching to get out of her cage and play.  She seemed really fine.  She
ran around and used that paw but a little bit gingerly.  She's amazing.
Misty is a recent addition and she steals money!  This morning she was
stealing quarters out of the front pocket of a picnic bag.  They are all
so unique!
 
Does anyone have any advice on taking care of the injury or know whether or
not the toenail will grow back?  It looked like the entire thing had come
off.  Ugh.  Has this ever happened to anyone?  Should I clean it or just
leave it alone?  I will definitely take her to the vet if it looks like it's
not healing properly or if she looks like it's bothering her.  They all need
their shots now anyway so I'll make an appointment very soon.
 
Any kind of moral support would be appreciated.  Thanks!
 
- Adrienne
[Posted in FML issue 2370]