We like safe scent mapping for blind ferrets. Here is a list of links for handicapped ferrets which includes some things to help you and some things to help others: Handicapped ferret needs: Blindness: http://www.ferret-fact.org/Blind.htm Blindness: http://www.wolfysluv.com/blind_ferrets.html Deafness: http://www.wolfysluv.com/deaf.html Mobility Cart: http://www.ferretfarm.org/index.html?target=dept_98.html&lang=en-us That cart type can also be seen here and if you scroll down then ordering information will be found: http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2006/12/ferret_wheelcha.html Mobility Cart: http://www.doggon.com/ Pantyhose Slings: http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG12611 Physically impaired: http://www.wolfysluv.com/physically_impaired.html Chihuahua size diapers (but check to make sure still in stock and note that none of these have been reported on yet for how well they do or do not work for ferrets): http://www.petdiapers.com/ http://www.seniorpetsupplies.com/products/ http://www.k9carts.com/diaper.html http://www.yoyopetwear.ca/ http://www.doggiedee.com/doggie-diaper-products.htm http://www.futurepets.com/Dog_Diapers.htm (also consider small Preemie Diapers from baby supply stores and make a tail opening) We have never tried diapers on ferrets but do know of situations in which people wanted to try and even of one where it would make the difference of survival for the ferret (that one was trying premmie diapers at the time). I just wish people would report back on the products. Yes, retinas can detach from accidents or from genetic inclination. They can also be more vulnerable with certain eye shapes, for instance with extreme myopia, especially when that is combined with changes to the vitreous fluid in the eye leading to vitreous tears. Over time that gel thickens and it can tear or separate. In that situation the individual will see pronounced flashers. It is like having a lightning storm on and off in your eye and after a space of time extreme floaters appear which can be like trying to look through an embroidered lace curtain. This needs care by an ophthalmologist in humans because while nothing can be done for those tears except to wait for the floaters to settle, there can be complications such as clots, or retinal buckling. That buckling can lead to retinal detachment if it gets worse and then emergency laser surgery by a specialist is needed immediately to save sight. Unfortunately, in a ferret there is no way to know if the stage has been set for those things taking place, so... There are veterinary ophthalmologists but unlike when a ferret has glaucoma, I don't know if anything could be done for detached retinas, especially after the fact. For those who want into of how to find such specialists besides through your vet and state veterinary schools, here is the page at Vet Contact which links to specialty vet med organizations: http://www.vetcontact.com/en/vet.php?k=91 In Europe: http://www.ecvo.org/public/index.htm In the Americas: http://www.acvo.com/ I don't know which covers for other continents, but in another specialty in the past for someone I found the European organization doing so. Sukie (not a vet) Recommended ferret health links: http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/ http://ferrethealth.org/archive/ http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/ http://www.ferretcongress.org/ http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html [Posted in FML 5628]
