http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922&messageid=492
 
>I read something at another site that indicated paw licking and chewing
>to be a sign of serious concern.
 
This is a sign of inhalant allergies in dogs, but I am not familiar
with this in ferrets.  I don't know of any disease for which it is
characteristic, so let's just keep our eyes open for other signs.
 
Some forms of mange in ferrets can result in tremendous scaling and
itchiness, and the ferrets actually mangle their own feet - but that
doesn't seem right here, either.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3855]