>Minta wrote:-
>My new baby ferret Leonard has a leg dislocated at the hip (his left hind
>leg).  He is only 10 weeks old (and as big as my 4 year old female), and
>the vet says he will heal on his own.  It appears to be an old injury, it
>isn't bothering him in the least right now.  He just hops around a lot
>(like a bunny does).  I was just wondering if his leg might atrophy to any
 
One of my ferrets, Brecon, has a dislocated hip.  He bunny hops most of the
time.  Tony, my vet, x-rayed the leg purely for his own curiosity when I had
Brecon castrated.  It was an old injury and cartilage had grown between the
ball and socket.  Brecon is nearly two years old now and apart from falling
over when he takes right hand corners at a gallop he's fine, no signs of
atrophy.  He even uses the leg to scratch himself.
 
Brecon can even win when he goes racing - "What bad leg, I haven't got a
bad leg - I like falling over, I'll be OK when I get the hang of four paw
drifts."
 
What I used to do was hold Brecon and put my other hand under his right
hind paw and gently push, eventually he used to sort of push back, don't
over do it!
 
Sheila
Bolton Ferret Welfare & National Ferret Welfare Society Newsletter Editor
http://www.btinternet.com/~sheila/ferrets.htm (Last Update 18 April 1998)
Waiting at Rainbow Bridge: Jill & Deanna Troi
[Posted in FML issue 2282]