Collective,
 
Cynthia writes:
>the one problem I am experiencing is with the small "gully" between where
>the bars meet the floor - and the outer rim of the plastic bottom...
 
and asks:
>What I'd like to do is unhook the cage from the bottom - give the bottom a
>good scrubbing in the bathtub and then reattach the cage.  If I do this will
>it flatten out?
 
I give my midwest cage a good scrubbing at least twice a month sometimes
more if the critters have been especially messy.  I've disposed of the clips
that lock the cage to the base entirely.  I know of no ferret that would be
able to lift that monster to get out.
 
I lift the whole cage off the base.  It shouldn't collapse if all the
fasteners on the cage itself are in place and the shelves are left inside.
I take the base to the bathroom and scrub the whole thing with dilute bleach
water, rinse, with dishsoap, and rinse.  Then I let it dry.  While it dries,
I clean the shelves in the cage, flip the cage on its side and clean the
goop that's accumulated on the bottom bars and change bedding.  Then I just
pop the cage back on top of the base and roll it back to the corner of the
living room.
 
The critters love it when I clean the cage, because everything is so noisy,
different and interesting.  Also they know I can't cage them if they
mis-behave.
 
Cheers!
Matthew.
 
===========================================================
The Arts in Technology--Creative Consulting and Contracting
 
J. Matthew Saunders (540)951-3090
[log in to unmask]  http://dogstar.bevd.blacksburg.va.us/
 
"We have to work in the theatre of our own time,
with the tools of our own time" --Robert Edmond Jones
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[Posted in FML issue 2342]