Okay, ferrets dance, but NOT like Egyptians. You can find the information
you need by searching the FML archives and by going to:
http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/history.html
You'll find a good chunk of information in each.
I'll try to get the time to ask our local Public Safety Education officer
if there are any known problems with the stickers; our Neighborhood Watch
sure was NOT informed of any, and i can't see why they would cause the
problems cited so would have appreciated clarification. Don't know if
I'll have time to ask or Denny will have time to reply, though, so could
a police officer or relative on one on this list, please, inform us all.
With a list this large there are sure to be some represented.
Some things we do post-op:
1. Set up a separate cage and fix up the back bathroom to be the mail
location for the recovering one.
2. Provide newspaper instead of litter to keep the incision cleaner and
to eliminate climbing.
3. Use pots which have shallow ramps once those can be handled. We have
found two favorite types which do not irritate their anuses like
home-cut ones do. One has very tall sides and a curved, gentle edge and
is made by Marshall. I can't recall who makes the other, but those are
the shape of small cat litter pans but with a ramp into them, completely
with little ridges so the ferret won't slip. I've seen them in two
small pet stores recently.
4. MOST IMPORTANT: monitor, monitor, monitor -- if a complication
happens you want to be able to jump fast.
5. We provide soft food in slurries as soon as food can be given, often
with Pedialyte, Kayolyte (our guys' favorite is their grape, and
Kayolyte is dry so it doesn't have to be frozen or used up in two days)
or another electrolyte solution added. These slurries can be based
around one's own home cooked duck soups, around thinned A/D (available
from vet), around meat baby food, etc.
6. The best thing is to NOT force feeding, so first try giving it on your
finger, or by spoon, with singing, with someone holding another ferret
likely to steal the food (to make it obvious that someone wants it and
may steal it), etc. If that doesn't work then there are some wonderful
child droppers at pharmacies. They have very large holes for sucking
up the food and because the holes are large and the accordian type top
gives wonderful control it doesn't shoot out and cause choking or
respiratory infections. The tops are in either pick or blue and have a
raised clown on them in the same color. Be sure to be patient even if
meal time has to take ages and allow plenty of breathing breaks.
DEFINITELY, try feeding from your finger long before you try force
feeding and don't rush the little one.
7. If the ferret doesn't have insulinoma you might want to also use a
soup of Nutrical in warm water to get in extra vitamins, minerals,
and calories.
Those are some of the basics.
Oh, someone asked what the other insulinoma med is. It's Proglycem.
Carla, thanks for the info!!!!!
Sukie
[Posted in FML issue 2733]
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