I have a couple of problems that I am hoping someone can help me with.  In
the beginning of March I adopted a male ferret from my coworker's cousin.
They were keeping him in a basement in a pet carrier, and wanted to get rid
of him.  He (Taz is his name) is a very sweet ferret, and I would guess he
might be 2-4 years old.
 
I noticed right away that he had a scaley itchy rash on top of his neck.
When I first got him it was really red, but it is not as irritated now.
They were feeding him low grade cat food, and I have him switched over to
Totally Ferret now.  I have not had time to get him to a vet yet.  Can
anyone give me some insight on this skin irritation.  Do ferrets get eczema?
What can I give him or put on it to get rid of it?
 
My second problem also involves Taz.  I have a 5 year old female, and a very
old male who is weak and sickly (I found him outdoors 4 years ago and he had
health problems then.) The female has been dominate and she went after Taz
right away and came out top ferret again.  Taz ran and coward from her and
was very submissive.  So I put them all in the same cage and everything was
fine for a few weeks.
 
Taz didn't bother with my old male until a few weeks ago.  Now he is going
after Toby (old male) constantly.  I checked Toby out and he was never
injured and so I figured Taz would get it worked out and get over it.
Needless to say he hasn't.  He has actually pulled on Toby's ear so hard as
to rupture the skin behind his ear.  I have them seperated since that time,
and when I let them out I put bitter apple on Toby's head so Taz will leave
him alone.  It works until the bitter apple drys and then Taz may go after
him again.  All this and I will find them sleeping under my bed side by
side.
 
I obviously can't let Toby get hurt.  He can't defend himself and this
stress is the last thing he needs.  Keeping two cages is a pain, but I don't
want to get rid of Taz if I don't have to.
 
I am not sure what else to do and I don't understand why Taz is acting this
way.  If anyone could give me some ideas or insight I would sure appreciate
it.
 
Dawn
[Posted in FML issue 2307]