>>On a lighter note, what does a descented ferrets poof (not poop) smell
>>like?  Skunk?  Farts?  Just how bad is it?  Does the ferret itself
>>smell any different, in general?
 
>In a small number of ferrets, there can be problems from improperly
>removed anal sacks, with recurring infections, but in the vast majority
>of cases, there are no ill effects.  But in my opinion, the surgery is
>entirely unnecessary.  My last 4 are undescented, and it makes no
>difference in their day to day odor.
 
>A poof, while not pleasant, dissipates quickly.  If a ferret poofs on
>you, the smell washes off easily just with water.
 
Like Linda I really wish that descenting was just plain not done.  There
is no need for it except when an infection of the anal sacs occurs.  Once
neutered the smell is controlled that way usually.  I'd rather see the
farms and any smaller breeders who do this put their money involved into
something else: research to help improve veterinary options, a carefully
written packet with info on things new purchasers usually know nothing
about like the timing of further vaccinations, disease prevention, the
need for regular vet care, how to gently train ferrets, etc..  Heck, put
part of the money into not releasing the ferrets for sale till they are
8 weeks or older.  If by that time they are large enough to have chips
implanted then sell them with chips; then people won't get ferrets with
faked origins and a tracking system could be put into place so that a
lost ferret can be reported to the breeder or local vets who then will
know how to contact the purchaser who has carefully updated them on any
changes of address... Ah, my headachy brain...
 
Anyway, to ferrets stink is status.
 
Our first encounter with poofing happened 20 or 21 years ago, and the
smell is like a distant skunk but washes off or otherwise dissappates on
it's own in maybe about 15 minutes.  It is worse if an infection is
present, having had one with such an infection over the years.  Steve
sorely missed cross country skiing as can be expected for a relocated
Montanan and I'd bought him a pair of the wheeled summer practise skis.
Unfortunately, Steve is even more messy than I am (though less than
ferrets are) and he had not put them away properly.  Well, he came around
a corner in the wooden floored apartment we were renting and one of his
feet landed on one ski.  He went flying -- arms wildly gyrating to keep
his balance -- in the direction of Tandy whose great defense was not to
run but to lift her tail and turn her bum toward him, poofing.  Steve's
only option was to fall so that she would not be hurt.  And that is how
we first learned about ferret poofing...
 
One of the toys we've made for our ferrets is a teetter totter made of
two small foam wedges that are covered in material Then I sewed the
wedges together with the flat sides facing in opposite directions (one up
and one down) so that it has one side that sits flat on the floor with
its slanted side going up to the center, and the other side looks flat on
top, but it's wedge side is on the downward part so it is not sitting
securely.  The result is that the ferrets can see saw on it or can run
back and forth with it slipping down as they pass center.  Some like to
get under it and press it like weight lifters.  Whizbang as a new game
for it.  She stands next to it then pops right up in the air and lands
on it -- then jumps around on it.  The point seems to be to not lose her
balance during this game.  It is hilarious to watch.
 
Sherman's new game is that he likes to rearrange the tube when Whizbang
is running through it so that she has a constantly changing tunnel.  He
figures that she is best buddy now and she thinks the sun rises and sets
on him.
[Posted in FML issue 4228]