Drac - kept in a small kennel carrier for the first 3 years of is life.
Came to us with poor muscle control and no coordination.  He'd fall off
the edge of the couch when just walking.  He also was mentally handicapped
but we don't know if this was caused by physical or psychological trauma.
Yes, it can be either.
 
Several came to us and they had been kept in cages so long they lost muscle
coordination and hobbled oddly.  The oldsters never recovered completely
and always hobbled.
 
If a ferret is caged for excessive periods, they will show signs so if you
tell someone you let the ferrets out to exercise everyday and when they see
the ferrets hobble or fall or not climb when out, they'll know you are not
telling the truth (if the ferret doesn't have a medical problem that would
cause those symptoms).  The evidence is clear.  The only person you are
successfully lying to is yourself.
 
There is much more to sheltering other than just providing a place for the
ferrets.
 
Hugs to all. tle
Troy Lynn Eckart
Ferret Family Services
http://www-personal.ksu.edu/~sprite/ffs.html
http://www.geocities.com/Petsburgh/Haven/5481/
Please sign up to support our charity
http://www.iGive.com/html/ssi.cfm?cid=46&mid=58395
[Posted in FML issue 3398]