>From:    Echo McCollum <[log in to unmask]>
>
>First, I read somewhere that human colds and ferret colds are
>interchangeable- is this true?  If I have a cold, should I not handle
>the ferret too much?
 
I do hope your know this is just at suggestion for you and your fuzzie.
I am sure others will also have some thing to say.
 
For you first question yes cold can go from ferret to humans and vise
versa.  If you are sick try not to handle the ferret to much and wash
your hands before you play with them.
 
>Also, Mocha lives outside in a huge cage in a shaded area, and in her
>cage I've put a temporary box with a little hole in it and bedding inside
>to sleep in.  However, the rainy season has started [which means it gets
>as cold as 30 Fahrenheit at night].  I've put a tarp over her cage, so
>there is no worries about it getting wet, but how cold is too cold? ...
 
Number 2
 
Can I ask where you got the info to keep a ferret out side ?  It is not
a wise choice by any means.  They can not handle heat, for one shaded or
not.  They do not sweat to get rid of the heat and a fan will not save
them from heat stroke or heat exhaustion.  They need to be in a cool room
in the summer.  They are very prone to the heat and can cause death to a
ferret.  Plus the cold would not be good for them nor the drafts from the
wind blowing on them.  Their coats are not that thick.
 
I do not know if you have done research on housing a ferret.  There are
many sites on the web to do that along with communication with a local
shelter in your area.  Plus there are alot of books on the market now a
days about ferrets.  Some are older and still out there.  I personally
have found that I like FERRETS FOR DUMMIES,by Kim Schilling.  Kim is also
an owner to ferrets.  Which makes a difference since anyone can write a
book whether fact or fiction.  It has the most recent information done
on ferrets and written by a ferret owner for years.  I still find that
book well written and very full of information.  I know alot of shelters
recommend it and I do also.  It doesn't matter what your experience level
is with ferrets.  It has something for everyone.  Plus the way it is
written it is very entertaining.  In that book the levels of heat and
cold are listed as 40 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit.  ( ferrets should not
be kept out for long when the weather dips below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Also ferrets can get heat stroke and heat exhaustion in hot places.
Drafts and moisture can cause your ferret to become ill.
 
Trina
[Posted in FML issue 4329]