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>answering on the FML
Well, I guess we all have our reasons.  I don't usually post all my answers
on the FML because many problems are repeat responses and I don't like the
FML to look like Pam Grant's newsletter.  I must answer privately 10+
messages a day.  If the question is unique or rarely asked, then I post to
both the person and the FML.  I do regularly update the show schedule, and
once in awhile remind readers of the STAR* listing, since it has a LOT of
references.
 
But for an experiment, I'll answer everything on the FML for awhile, and
when everyone is tired of seeing my name, just let me know!
 
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>ECE & vomiting
Tell Holly that vomiting for some ferrets is usually the first sign of ECE.
 
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>OZ club
are you on the STAR* listing?  If not, want to be?
 
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>teaching a deaf ferret
I would recommend that you develop a "sign language" of sorts with your
ferret.  First off, they are very sensitive to vibrations, so using a stomp
can mean "NO!", "I'm here to play", "STOP!", etc.  You need to decide what
the action means and then be consistent.  To teach tricks is easy: show the
ferret a raisin or other treat in the hand, then cover it with your fingers.
Push the ferret over to get it to "roll over" and then give it the raisin.
Repeat three times.  The next day, show the raisin, cover it with the
fingers, and see if the ferret falls over or attempts to roll.  Keep the
practice sessions short but consistent and the ferret will start rolling
over for the treat.  Soon you can just show the hand with the fingers curled
as the "sign" for "roll over".  Give treats every other time.
 
Use different treats or different hand signals to mean different things.
 
As for punishment, the flick on the nose is still good for nipping, but if
the punishment is for digging the carpeting, then I recommend you put vinyl
floor scraps under the doorway to protect the carpeting rather than punish
the ferret for doing what is natural.  Or use the STOMP for STOP.
 
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>S&G food
Jeff,  I've tried it - the ferrets will eat it better than Marshall's but
still prefer 8 in 1 and Totally ferret and Mazuri over it.
 
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>Duck Soup
Put the pred syrup in something like Duck Soup and see if he will take his
medicine that way.
 
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>shipping MF ferrets
MF is in upstate NY.  they ship via air all over the world.  Ferrets are
packed into wooden crates.  Once the food is consumed, they are left hungry
until they are picked up by the distributor or pet shop at the airport.
 
For a complete story of the rescue of a shipment in PA - e-mail
[log in to unmask] for the story.
 
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>Prozyme
Tracy - give a kitten dose, or just sprinkle it on the food.  I would also
recommend adding Brewer's Yeast for extra Vit B.
 
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Mel,  where is this zoo and are there any clubs/shelters close by who can
come visit the ferrets and give you some more info on them?
 
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>condo shelves
 
Please order more shelves and put at least three of them deep on each level.
It takes some rearranging of the ladders to make it work though.  OR, get
some hardware cloth wire and make new levels and cut a hole for the ramps.
This will decrease the collapsibility of the cage, but you probably are not
moving it much anyway.
 
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>Teeth cleaning
Gina, if it is not already done - have the vet scale the teeth while the
ferret is awake - I can easily do it when the tartar has not reached the
gums, so a vet should be able to do it as well.
 
But, the gas is correct, though I don't know about the tube....
 
Pam
[Posted in FML issue 1664]