Kristin (and the FML),
 
I'm writing in response to your question about why your fert's potty box
smells like ammonia.  Basically, it breaks down like this: Urine containes
urea, which is the chief byproduct of the metabolism of protein (of which
a ferret's diet should almost entirely consist of) and is manufactured
almost exclusively by the liver, which dumps the urea into the bloodstream
for eventual removal by the kidneys.  Urea is toxic to mammals and is
constantly being filtered out of the bloodstream by the kidneys.  This is
why kidney failure is inevitably fatal.  Once outside the body of the
mammal as a component of urine, urea is used by certain bacteria as a
source of energy.  The byproduct of these bacteria using urea as fuel is
ammonia, the all-too-familiar odor associated with the accumulation of
urine.  Fresh urine almost NEVER smells ammoniac (unless there's a possible
UTI or other bacterial nasty), so chances are the urine's been sitting
there longer than it should have.
 
Ammonia is highly soluble in water and dissolves readily in the water which
moistens the skin lining the nasal passages and trachea.  Dahlman (1963)
found that over 70% of the ammonia was absorbed in the nasal passages.
He further examined the effect of ammonia on the skin lining the nasal
passages.  Dahlman found that exposing the lining of the trachea and nasal
passages to ammonia caused a severe depression of the normal beating motion
of the cilia, tiny, microscopic protrusions that move the mucus, which acts
as a sticky "flypaper" to trap airborne dust, bacteria, and other
contaminants.
 
Factors which directly determine the amount of ammonia in the atmosphere
include temperature, the relative humidity, cage population density and the
frequency of cage cleaning.  Higher temperature and relative humidity mean
higher airborne ammonia levels.
 
Ferrets are already prone to colds and other upper respiratory ailments,
so it's important to give them as much of a boost in defeating them as
possible.
 
Bottom line: Clean the litter box AT LEAST every other day, preferably
every day, to prevent this odor, and possible upper respiratory trouble
in your babies.
 
Just my $0.02. :)
 
Bright blessings,
Rhyakat
[Posted in FML issue 3344]