I've used the Vasoline on both myself and my fuzzies when necessary.  No
problems with either so far.  Older ferrets in particular tend to get dry
foot pads and the vasoline seems to ease the dryness and make them more
comfortable.  I wouldn't glob the vasoline on, but a very thin, light
application should do no harm unless they somehow manage to inhale it.
 
I have to agree, a ferret is not a low cost pet and people do need to
consider the total cost of having one or more.  First there is the
relatively more expensive food (as compared with grocery store brands).
Then there are the yearly vaccination duo - distemper and rabies - coupled
with the fact that ferrets seem to have a higher incidence of reactions to
the shots.  Also their propensity for chewing on things they shouldn't and
developing blockages.  Not to mention the colds and flues they catch from
us.  Don't get me wrong, as far as I'm concerned, ferrets are the greatest.
Otherwise I wouldn't have 17 of them.
 
Someone discussed the dangers of gas stoves and ferrets getting singed or
worse.  Please don't forget that electric stoves have bare wires deep down
inside where ferrets love to go.  More than one has been electrocuted in
them.
 
Extra canines?  We've seen that and worried about that and it all came out
alright.  Some seem to take longer than others to have the "baby" teeth
pushed out.  Just keep an eye out and if they're not gone in a couple of
more weeks you might contact a vet.  9 weeks seems late, but then again if
you got it at a pet store, your 8 week old kit may have only been 6 weeks
when you bought it.
 
Science Diet: In our shelter we use a mixture of Science Diet Growth and
Excel Kitten (similar to Iams but less expensive).  The Science Diet Growth
is 33% protein with the first ingredient, poultry.  We like to mix the foods
to keep the ferrets' options open.
 
Biting on taking treats from fingers: Just a thought, but the nose thumping
may be a source of the problem.  Although it works as training on some
ferrets, on other it teaches them fear of your hands or, perhaps in this
case, fingers.  Therefor your ferret may be grabbing quickly for the treat
to avoid getting thumped, and latching on the skin in the process.  We've
really had some good successes with the scruff, shake from side to side (not
too hard please - about like mama ferret would do), and yelling "No!!" and a
few other things in their face, each and evey time they nipped.  This is
followed by holding and cuddling and soothing talk to show them that you do
love them.  We've turned some real biters around this way.  Don't expect it
to work overnight though.  Our worst bite-to-the-bone-every-chance-they-get
ones have taken a couple months.  Most respond in a matter of days.  As to
the integration, I sure wish I knew what worked every time.  We have 17, and
have to leave them out to play in three shifts.  That started after number
12.  I think it was their way of telling me "Hey, enough already!"
 
Sorry folks.  This was my first issue of the FML in three days.  AoL must
have decided I didn't need all of my mail and didn't bother delivering the
past two issues.  Those who've been here awhile KNOW how I can't help
getting my $0.02 worth in, so here I am with a whole $0.06 saved up <G>.
 
Dick B.
[Posted in FML issue 1464]