Dawn-
 
I don't know how long you've had ferrets; I'm assuming it's been a while
since you rescue them.  Sometimes, a ferret's blood sugar drops so low
that the issue must be "forced".  Dehydration can also make them stop
eating on their own.  They get so lethargic that they literally can't
think of eating or drinking.  Having the flu or a respiratory infection
can cost a ferret its life if it stops eating.
 
I'm not talking about injecting large amounts of food into its mouth and
making it choke, but slowly (about .1 ml at a time) putting it into the
side of his mouth and waiting for him to swallow.  Lots of breaks for
loving and drinks of water, and getting some food down them.  Sometimes
this forcing the issue is the only way to raise the blood sugar enough
for the ferret to realize---"Hey, I *am* hungry, and start to lap up the
duck soup on his own.
 
Melodyt and the slinky six (at least three of which had problems that
needed "forced" feeding to save their lives)
 
--
Melody Tomaszewicz
Holdings Record Maintenance Team Leader
New Brunswick Libraries
Access/Collection Services
Rutgers University
Email: [log in to unmask]
Phone:  (732) 445-3856 ext. 313
 
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"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines."
[Posted in FML issue 5127]