>From:    Davida Dzierla <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Sick Ferret..Need Advice
>Our Ferret, Stinky had recently been sick.  I went to check on him one day,
>he was fine, went to check the next day and he was half dead!
 
This happens.
 
>The only on going symptom seems to be his hind quarters, he can't move or
>balance like he use to.
 
Hind quarter problems are an non-indicative symptom.  It can mean almost
anything since it happens with many diseases and other problems.
Unfortunately there wasn't much to go on in your posting.  A common problem
is to cut off anti-biotics too soon.  Did your vet prescribe the antibiotic
and its regimin?  Wasn't clear in your note.  If cut off too soon you can
get relapses.
 
>From:    Karri Knutson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: DEAF?
>How do you know if a ferret is deaf??
 
We've never seen a definitive test for deafness.  Waiting for them to react
to noise and hope that it was noise they reacted to and not some other
stimulus is about all you've got.  We've heard people claim tossing them in
the air upside down and seeing if they flip is a test but it is not at all
accurate - just a silly game that some ferrets like.  We've known deaf
ferrets to flip perfectly.  Banging pots together while she's asleep or not
looking is about as good as we know.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1802]