>From:    A boy named Drool <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Flying Blur Monkey
>Okay.  I've heard that ferrets don't like cold drafts, and lots of heat,
>but how about a room that stays fairly cold?
 
Our pet theory is that cooler ferrets are on average healthier.  We think in
particular they have less trouble with the various variations of ECE and
similar diseases.  Perhaps the virus doesn't survive as well outside the
ferret in cooler temperatures (this is all based on speculation from
anecdotal not scientific evidence).  ECE especially relapses seems connected
to warm or even hot weather.  We keep ours particularly cool and breezed
through the disease as well as anyone we know.  But we never have seen
bright green diarrhea.  Usually dark green or light tan.
 
30 to 40 is cooler than we usually let ours get but with the "tent" you
build and plenty of bedding they could be able to keep warmer and might be
fine.  Can't assure you though.  The fever though isn't a good sign.
Disease doesn't come from cooler temperatures but a body that is too cold
might be more susceptible to infections.We shoot for at 50 to 65 degrees.
 
>The lady at the pet store said "its because marshall farms keeps everything
>so steril, once we get them ever little thing makes them sneeze, perfume,
>dust, other ferrets, anything new" Is this true?
 
We'd guess "not true".  Dust makes them sneeze but not because Marshall is
perfectly sterile.
 
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: message for FML from Dr. Weiss
 
Good idea.  A big strapping hob has more blood so is normally desired as a
donor.  We'd like to once again remind folks (in the greated DC metropolitan
area especially) that we'd be happy to loan a big ole hob to folks that need
a blood donor.  Local breeders would be good folks to talk to for things
like this.  We don't breed ferrets for money (there isn't any in breeding)
so we must do it because we like ferrets so we'd probably be very willing to
help out ferrets in need.
 
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: coping with two sick ferrets
>How do you cope emotionally, especially when caring for a dying ferret?
 
With difficulty.  When a particular favorite is dying its hard to handle.
An advantage to so many ferrets is we use a ferrets zen-like acceptance of
anything as a model.  They are very stoic in pain yet exuberant in joy.
They accept what ever comes their way.  We use our other ferrets to remind
us while caring for the infirm.
 
>From:    Margaret Zick <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Wire Cages and Sampson
 
Okay.  With more information it sounds more likely.  If the vet thinks it
was a wire floor I won't second guess.
 
>Each level has 2 smaller shelves on it with ramps.  Each of these shelves
>also has a upturned lip to keep the carpet liners in place.
 
We don't like to put boys in cages with shelves or ramps.  Ask Mo' Bob about
the shape of that most personal of bones.  We've had a hob get himself
"hooked".  That was a blood curdling scream!
 
>I can understand that Mr. Killian wishes
 
But how come anytime anyone disagrees with us the responses are to Mr.
Killian?  The people that ALWAYS refer to us as Mr. Killian are not the
folks you want to emulate.  Don't believe what they tell you about us
anyway.  We find their stories about us most amusingly ludicrous.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1841]