>[log in to unmask] >answering on the FML Well, I guess we all have our reasons. I don't usually post all my answers on the FML because many problems are repeat responses and I don't like the FML to look like Pam Grant's newsletter. I must answer privately 10+ messages a day. If the question is unique or rarely asked, then I post to both the person and the FML. I do regularly update the show schedule, and once in awhile remind readers of the STAR* listing, since it has a LOT of references. But for an experiment, I'll answer everything on the FML for awhile, and when everyone is tired of seeing my name, just let me know! >[log in to unmask] >ECE & vomiting Tell Holly that vomiting for some ferrets is usually the first sign of ECE. >[log in to unmask] >OZ club are you on the STAR* listing? If not, want to be? >[log in to unmask] >teaching a deaf ferret I would recommend that you develop a "sign language" of sorts with your ferret. First off, they are very sensitive to vibrations, so using a stomp can mean "NO!", "I'm here to play", "STOP!", etc. You need to decide what the action means and then be consistent. To teach tricks is easy: show the ferret a raisin or other treat in the hand, then cover it with your fingers. Push the ferret over to get it to "roll over" and then give it the raisin. Repeat three times. The next day, show the raisin, cover it with the fingers, and see if the ferret falls over or attempts to roll. Keep the practice sessions short but consistent and the ferret will start rolling over for the treat. Soon you can just show the hand with the fingers curled as the "sign" for "roll over". Give treats every other time. Use different treats or different hand signals to mean different things. As for punishment, the flick on the nose is still good for nipping, but if the punishment is for digging the carpeting, then I recommend you put vinyl floor scraps under the doorway to protect the carpeting rather than punish the ferret for doing what is natural. Or use the STOMP for STOP. >[log in to unmask] >S&G food Jeff, I've tried it - the ferrets will eat it better than Marshall's but still prefer 8 in 1 and Totally ferret and Mazuri over it. >[log in to unmask] >Duck Soup Put the pred syrup in something like Duck Soup and see if he will take his medicine that way. >[log in to unmask] >shipping MF ferrets MF is in upstate NY. they ship via air all over the world. Ferrets are packed into wooden crates. Once the food is consumed, they are left hungry until they are picked up by the distributor or pet shop at the airport. For a complete story of the rescue of a shipment in PA - e-mail [log in to unmask] for the story. >[log in to unmask] >Prozyme Tracy - give a kitten dose, or just sprinkle it on the food. I would also recommend adding Brewer's Yeast for extra Vit B. >[log in to unmask] Mel, where is this zoo and are there any clubs/shelters close by who can come visit the ferrets and give you some more info on them? >[log in to unmask] >condo shelves Please order more shelves and put at least three of them deep on each level. It takes some rearranging of the ladders to make it work though. OR, get some hardware cloth wire and make new levels and cut a hole for the ramps. This will decrease the collapsibility of the cage, but you probably are not moving it much anyway. >[log in to unmask] >Teeth cleaning Gina, if it is not already done - have the vet scale the teeth while the ferret is awake - I can easily do it when the tartar has not reached the gums, so a vet should be able to do it as well. But, the gas is correct, though I don't know about the tube.... Pam [Posted in FML issue 1664]