Hello,
 
My name is Erci Nolan and I have owned/been owned by several ferrets over
the years.  Currently I have two Newt, a 3 year old slightly rolly polly
silver mit, and Spice, a 2 years old bandito(sable).  Their favorite
pastimes are seeing how fast my husband and I can run upstairs after them,
and seeing if we can find what they've hidden (car keys, wallets, etc).
They have charmed the socks off many disbelievers.  I wouldn't have life
without them.  But...
 
We have been having a few problems with these two and could use some advice.
 
I am trying to get pregnant and have been forbidden by my doctor to clean up
their messes, so now the litter box does not get changed as frequently as it
used to, and there are messes everywhere.  We have tried to keep up with
them, but now they think that anyplace in the cage is the proper place to
go.  Is there anything we can do to get them to use the box again?
 
Also, since last year I am down two ferrets, we had four and two died in a
few month span, and the other two have had a problem with their fur ever
since.  I have no idea if this is coincidental or not, both Newt and Spice
have lost the hair on their tails.  My vet has checked them several times
and has found nothing topical/external that could be causing the hair loss.
There is whispy hair on their tails, and their skin is a little dry/scaly,
and there are sometimes little black dots where the hair should be growing.
There has been no drop in activity level and nothing swollen or tender.  I'm
stumped.  If you can give me some advice you can contact me here or
privately I don't care.
 
Thanks,
Erci
--
Erci Nolan                           Web Operations
[log in to unmask]                       703-453-4149
 
If you have no voice, scream,
If you have no legs, run,
If you have no hope, invent.    Alegria, Cirque de Soleil
[Posted in FML issue 1363]