First, I have to admit to being the Worst Ferret Mother in the world, as
I thought I had put the jar of salsa next to the milk in the fridge, when
actually I had put it in *front* of the milk, so when I pulled the milk
out the salsa came first and landed smack on my poor Otto's foot!  So now
Otto has a broken toe, and is in a splint for (the vet says) three weeks.
I am not sure how well this is going to work, so I am hoping someone here
with experience in ferrets in splints can help me.
 
Basically, is it realistic for me to keep a six-month-old ferret, who
is naturally *very* energetic, from pulling every splint off within days
of his getting it?  He got this first one Wednesday, and it's already
slipped quite far down.  It's a combination of him tugging on it, and
moving around on it.  Right now, I have him confined largely to one room,
but *not* to his cage, as I am actually afraid he will wedge his splinted
leg in between the cage bars as he tries to get out (which he did when I
first tried to isolate him), and end up hurting his whole leg.  I am also
not happy keeping him from his brother, Butters, as they have always been
together and both are miserable when apart - I hate to increase Otto's
stress by isolating him when he is already hurting and confined.  And, of
course, if he's alone and bored in the cage, he has nothing better to do
than pull on his splint....:)
 
I know the best thing would be to have him pretty much cage-bound for the
three weeks, and I can do that, but he'll be a miserable boy througout,
and I hate to do it to him.  Does anyone have experience with ferrets
dealing with splints, or healing all right *without* the splint (or
with a less than three-week confinement)?  I want to do what's best for
him, both physically and socially.  Feel free to post, or answer me via
email - and thanks so much for any help!
 
Megan and the Dynamic Duo,
Otto ("What is this on me get it off get it off!!")
and Butters ("Why can't I play with Otto?  Have I been bad?")
[Posted in FML issue 5052]