Re: Litter, Weight Loss, Leg abnormalities
 
Q #1.  Although we tend to compare ferrets' latrine habits with those of
cats, they are actually quite different.  Check out the article "Litter
Box Legerdemain" at http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/litterbox.html
 
Q #2 This is the time of year for weight loss and some ferrets do
regularly lose a greater percentage of weight than others.  10%-12% is
about average and I draw the line at 15% and start looking for symptoms
of illness.  12% is aproximately 4 ounces for a 2 pound ferret.
 
Weight loss can be a sneaky thing.  When it occurs slowly you don't notice
it until one day it's just suddenly obvious.  An ordinary fish scale with
a WalMart bag hanging from the hook makes a good ferret scale.  Weighing
your ferret once a month is a great way to keep an eye out for developing
health problems.
 
Q #3 This type of growth is fairly common to ferrets.  Some ferrets get
them repeatedly.  Wnen they begin to be problematic about bleeding I
generally have the vet remove it to avoid possible infections.
 
Re: Another Ferret Danger
 
Sometimes those of us who THINK we're the most conscientious of all in
regards to having "ferret-safe" households are at the greatest risk of
having a ferret hazard!  We get into a "mind-set" that OUR household has
been checked & rechecked and no one but the usual residents have been
there to alter anything... Then along comes a fuzzy with a new idea to
rock our world.  Whether it's a cage, or a room, or several rooms, it's
a good idea to have a friend inspect your ferret-proofing now and then
because they're more likely to see the "normal" things we overlook.
 
For (another) list of ferret hazards too long to post here see
http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/ferretproofing.html
 
Re: Hairball remedies
 
Most ferrets don't like new tastes... they're pretty sure it doen't taste
like the food they're imprinted on so you MUST be trying to poison them,
lol.
 
Scruff your ferret and let him hang (support heavy ferrets only slightly).
Hold the tip of the tube at the side of the ferret's mouth behind the
canine teeth.  Wait until the ferret opens his mouth (be patient, he will
open it eventually) and squirt it toward the roof of his mouth.  Continue
to hold the ferret by the scruff until he has licked most of it from the
roof of his mouth.  If you release him too soon, you'll end up wearing it.
 
Many ferrets will exhibit a "shocked" attitude when they feel their mouth
full of something sticky & gooey.  Just continue to scruff for a few
moments.  The ferret will eventually decide he has no choice but to lick
it down.
 
They will eventually decide the taste is ok and take it voluntarily.
 
With ferrets, a new taste is merely a matter of time... 6 months of daily
efforts, maybe, but they WILL adapt.
 
Debi Christy
Ferrets First Foster Home
 
Practical & easy training, care, & maintenance articles available at=20
http://www.geocities.com/ferretsfirst/
[Posted in FML issue 3777]