Okay,I watched a few comments go by about muzzles for ferrets. The more
I thought about it, the more I needed to write something.
   I also agree Debbie Riccio and Jeanne Stadtmiller, that it definitely
gives non-ferret people the wrong idea about about ferret temperaments
and would make one heck of negative impression, (just what we need at this
point in time). I also would form an opinion seeing a dog in a park wearing
one- I would assume that it was a mean dog.
    At the vet practice that I work at we occasionally have to use muzzles on
certain dogs that would not think twice about biting us.  It is placed around
its mouth just long enough to do what we need to do, and then it is removed.
Some dogs are very used to us doing this because it is apart of their every
year "visit" to see us.  Other dogs who are not used to this being done to
them go ballistic and really flip out in a panic attack, so we do not like to
use them unless we have to.  So, as for ferrets, I really do not think they
will be happy with this idea at all, and they will probably flip out when you
first (or always) try and put it on.  Is it really worth putting them through
that?  May-be they would be happier staying home.
  Also, let us not forget how most animals sweat, they do not have sweat glands
like people, and need to "regulate" dangerous body temperatures through panting
(when ever necessary) and how do they do this with a muzzle on?  How would you
tell if they are over heated with one on?  Watch your ferret for a period of
time at home, how many times do you see them opening their mouths, especially
when playing (You know, the sound they make thats commonly referred to as
laughing) ?..  May not seem like its very often to you, but it is to them.  I
know,..  most people may be bright enough to use a muzzle with close
supervision so this does not happen, but do you know how many non-bright people
we see at work who do very stupid things?  (Like the people who had a dog that
always tried to bite the neighbors kid, so they muzzled the dog when it went
outside in the yard, then forgot about him being out (in the nice heat of
July), he died that night of heat stroke, or the shock from it.  I just don't
trust that every one who will have access to one will use it correctly, and I
personally would not use one on any of mine.
 
Mary McCarthy Ferrets and Friends of Upstate N.Y (F.F.U.N.Y)
[Posted in FML issue 1156]