>From: Sheri Murphy <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Heat questions . . .Whoops, a few questions I forgot to ask:
I'd like to share my experience dealing w/my fuzzies in the heat. I lived
in AZ a couple of years where the heat is a really big issue for ferrets.
It's something you really think about when getting into a car that's been
parked in the sun can cause 1st degree burns, or breaking down on a
not-so-well-traveled road can be a life-or-death situation for people or
pets if you're not prepared.
>How sensitive are ferret feet to hot pavement? I didn't let Pepper walk on
>it much, only when there was grass, but he kept wanting to go on the
>pavement and didn't seem bothered.
Feel the ground w/your hand...& keep it there for a few moments. Is it
starting to feel *hot*? Then I would say it's probably too hot for the
fuzzy. Keep in mind that not only their feet are on the pavement, their
whole body is really close & absorbing the heat too. If you lay down you'll
find out what it's like for them. These little critters do, & get into a
lot of what they shouldn't. So even if they walk on the hot pavement, it
may be too much for them before they realize it. We all know how their
curiosity gets the better of them.
>Can they get sunburned through fur? And should I put sun-block on his
>little pink nose and ears? That sounds silly, but his nose and ears did
>look pinker than usualy by the end of the day, and the rims of his eyes.
>Could it have just been heat flush?
I can't answer this one. But I hope someone does because I'm really
curious. I never thought about it because I keep them (& myself) out of
direct sunlight as much as possible.
>I assumed that panting was a sign of overdoing the heat and quickly found
>water and shade. Does panting help ferrets like it does dogs?
Yes ferrets do pant to reduce their body temperature. But when they do pant
it's a sign that they're already overheated & distressed. Try not to let
them get to that point.
>I think the most miserable time for Pepper was the ride _to_ the park. My
>black Camero had been sitting in direct sun all morning, and it doesn't have
>air conditioning. And the aerodynamic body style doesn't allow for good air
>circulation. I put his carrier on the floor of the passenger seat and was
>very thankful we only had a couple of miles to drive.
Just getting into a car that hot can cause distress in a very short time.
I know it isn't always possible, but parking in the shade & leaving the
windows *cracked* to allow the heat to vent out helps considerably.
Because your car doesn't have A/C, using a frozen water bottle will provide
relief from the heat.
One other thing - don't put the carrier on the floor where it doesn't get
any ventilation at all. Put it in the seat that gets the most from the air
rushing through the window & secure it w/a seatbelt through the handle. Put
it as high up as possible. You can put a phone book or whatever to prop it
up higher.
>Any longer might have been dangerous. PLEASE don't ever leave a ferret
>locked in the car in the summer, with or w/o open windows. It just gets TOO
>hot in there. ESPECIALLY a black car. I found a great place to park under
>the freeway in the shade, so the car wasn't hot at all when Pepper and I
>were both overwarm and exhausted and ready to go home. Always bring a water
>bottle with, even if the 1 year old child companion drinks more of it than
>the ferret!
I couldn't agree more, it could have been deadly.
Not only should you always bring water, you should keep it from getting
warm. You can carry water in a thermos or cooler, or add ice cubes to help
keep it cool.
We all have to remember that hoomans, dogs, & cats tolerate the heat much
better than these little woozles. I've had them die in my arms when all
attempts to revive them failed. Their owners just weren't aware that they
couldn't take the intense heat of an unairconditioned car.
KODO IS DEAD - LONG LIVE KODO
Juliana
Frodo, Rocks, Anola Gay, SNAFU, FUBAR, Tabu,
Chaos, Tuxedo, Bijou, Fiasco, & Dazzle
[Posted in FML issue 1988]
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