Get a reptile heater and place it next to or under the nesting box (NOT
inside); sick ferrets need to use their energy recovering rather than
trying to warm their environment.  Reptile heaters are far better than
heating pads because they are easy to clean and disinfect, they won't
burn the ferret, and they are a relatively cheap investment.  There are
two basic styles: the "lumpy rock" and the "flat rock"; I like the wide
and flat ones better, but the lumpy ones take less floor space.  I cut
the plug (the prongs) off the end off the cord of my heating rock at the
spot where the cord enters the prong.  I then drilled a hole in the rear
of my cage that allowed the passage of the electrical cord, and inserted
a grommet into the hole to protect the electrical cord from the metal
edge (you want it to be a tight fit).  I then inserted the electrical
cord through the grommet (from the inside of the cage) and pulled the
heating rock tightly against the rear of the cage.  I drilled two holes
on opposite sides of the grommet, through the cage and into the heating
rock, then screwed in two metal fastener screws to hold the rock against
the back of the cage.  I tied a loose overhand knot in the cord and
pushed it until it was tight against the cage to minimizing chafing.  I
then stripped the free end of the electrical cord and attached a new set
of prongs (plug).  This way the heating rock is always in contact with
the cage, warming it, and the electrical cord (and grommet) is safe from
ferrets that like to gnaw that sort of thing, and all it cost you was
two screws, a grommet, and a new plug.
 
Use shredded paper for bedding inside the nest box, like the kind from
paper shredders.  The stuff is cheap and easy to dispose of if infected
or soiled with runny poop (I think shelters can save tons of money and
work by using shredded paper rather than laundering dirty linens).
Because it is paper, it has GREAT insulating qualities, it is fairly
soft, mashes down into a very warm and comfortable bed, and there are
no threads to snag a sick or weak ferret's claws.  The only real
disadvantage is shredded paper turns into cold mush when wet, losing
it's insulating qualities, so inspect the interior of the nesting box
frequently if you use it.  Actually, you have the same problem with cloth
bedding, so inspect it frequently as well.  If you have to use fabrics,
get rid of anything that does not have a high thread count (high thread
counts help prevent toenail snags.).  Stay away from terry cloth!  I
bought a 400-count linen sheet and cut and hemmed it into small blankets,
and they create a nice hammock effect if draped over the box and held in
place by the lid.  The advantage of the nest box is not only that ferrets
love to sleep inside them, but you can lift really sick or injured
ferrets out of the cage using the box, rather than picking them up
directly or trying to pull them out of a sack.  Plus, I think weak
ferrets can move in and out of a nest box much easier than a sack.
 
Use a "cage quilt" to reduce stimulation, increase security, and help
keep the cage warm.  A cage quilt can be made by cutting a long strip of
cotton duck to fit the sides and rear of the cage exterior, a similar
strip of decorative fabric of your choice, and sandwiching them around a
piece of black felt cut to the same size.  The cage quilt is attached to
the cage with Velcro or clips, cotton duck side facing in.  While you can
use towels for the same purpose, the advantage of the cotton duck fabric
is that it is generally too stiff for the ferret to easily pull inside
the cage, especially once it has been quilted.  The cage quilt is really
great for darkening the cage and thick enough to act as a noise baffle.
If you can't make or convince someone to sew a cage quilt from you, cut
sections of cardboard to cover the sides and rear of the hospital cage.
 
You can make the top of the cage very useful by "permanently" attaching
a plastic serving tray or cookie sheet to the lid; I just drilled a few
holes and wired one in place.  I take the ferret out of the cage, spread
a towel on the tray, and I can treat or clean the little guy, and feed or
medicate them on the spot.  I was lucky enough to find some large plastic
trays, like the kind they use in cafeterias, at a local thrift shop, but
I suppose some fast pleading with the manager of a fast food restaurant
could result in the donation of one or two.
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 4400]