Hello everyone,
I just wanted to respond to the person who asked if 1 more fuzzy would be a
lot more trouble.  I can't remember who it was but s/he seemed to have
decided to get one more.  I actually think getting TWO more would be in some
ways EASIER than getting one more (if you started out with only one).  My
main reason is that I think introducing two new ferrets goes over easier on
the original animal.  I got just one new kit (my SO insists that 2 is enough
and there will be no more ferret math in our house) and she has so much
energy that she really wears out my older ferret who is 2.  Poor Jitterbug
seems to just want to sleep while Monkey jumps and chews at her all day
long.  I'm guessing that had there been 2 kits they could have entertained
each other for at least part of the time and Jitterbug could have joined in
selectively.  Monkey justs gets bored if she isn't leaping and biting 24/7.
And hey, if you're going to go through the extra poop of one more you might
as well do it for two - it probably wouldn't increase the number of times
scooping any more than 1 more since it will have to be often now.  (I don't
know any of this as fact as I only have 2).  But I just think
psychologically it would be easier because the kit wouldn't fell rejected
(if your older ferret doesn't have the energy to play as much) and the older
one would get a break.  Just my humble opinion here.
 
Also, about the rash - I have very fair skin and unfortunately have spent a
lot of my life dealing with rashes.  In fact, I have been to some of the
best dermatologists in New York and none of them can seem to figure out
exactly what it is that causes it.  At first the ferrets were accused but
they went through excema, psoriasis, pitoriasis (excuse my spelling).  .  .
you name it.  Eventually they did tell me that it wouldn't hurt me (i.e., it
did not seem to affect any internal organs), but I would have to deal with
it since nothing seemed to make it go away.  I'm telling you this because I
really don't think it's because of your fuzzies and I would hate to see you
have to give them up needlessly.  After careful observation I have noticed
that anxiety is what is causing these outbreaks.  What's worse is that
seeing them makes me more anxious which of course causes more outbreaks and
so on.  If you are anxious that you may have to give up your fuzzies, you
may be caught in the same cycle.  So if you were to give them up, it is true
that the rash could go away, but perhaps just because you were no longer
anxious about having to make that decision.  I don't have a good solution
for you, but the power of your own mind is often underestimated when seeking
to cure illness.  (Sorry BIG for the digression, but it IS for the sake of
her ferts).  I hope you get over the rash, the anxiety, and somehow manage
to keep them, but if you don't - check your skin the next time some life
crisis comes up and see if it's reacting, maybe you could get ferrets again
someday.
 
Good luck.
 
Hugs and dooks to all,
Rebecca
Jitterbug &
Monkey
[Posted in FML issue 1676]