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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 12:52:30 GMT -5
Lol, i noticed that my newly acquired ferrets (got them on friday) and one seems like shes constantly itching... Should i get some shampoo and wash her or is it normal? i Dont see anything on her like bugs or dander or anything.. :/
They are on marshals kibble diet, however i decided that i will be switching over to a raw one very soon.. they are about 6-7 months old so i dont want them to imprint on their diet.. But could it be the food?
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 14:01:49 GMT -5
Sounds pretty normal to me. I have seen mine do back flips trying t get at an itch. Although I a sure switching to raw would probably help decrease the itching, just because their skin would healthier than on the marshals.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 15:06:25 GMT -5
Thats what i figured... But it doesnt seem like one itch... Ive only had them for two days, and Mimi (the darker one) jsut keeps scratching, like as if there was a mosquito bite there or something.. but i checked and theres nothing there.. :/ I'll keep an eye on it.. I have to take them into work to get their nails clipped soon anyways.. i cant do it by myself..  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 15:10:56 GMT -5
Many things can cause ferrets to itch, dry skin (from too much bathing, never bathe them unless absolutely needed) or sensitivities to certain things like laundry detergent, air fresheners, etc, I'd say the bad diet can have something to do with it. Ferrets on kibble are always somewhat dehydrated, so itchy skin. Maybe try taking away one thing at a time, a certain air freshener or cleaner, one at a time, and see if it helps. Does she wake up in the middle of the night and scratch? While she eats? Plays? Some ferrets are just itchy. My Juliet has been like that, she has adrenal (which causes itching) but was diagnosed a few months ago, she's been itchy since I got her 2 yeas ago, she's about 6 yrs old. And just ferrets in general tend to scratch quite a bit. I would give it time, introduce some raw soupy to her and watch her behavior. Raw soupy recipe- 8 oz chicken thigh 1-2 chicken hearts 1/2 chicken liver 1/2 tsp eggshell (or bone meal) powder and blended to a milky consistency. Glad you took these two in, and are going holistic with them.  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 15:38:23 GMT -5
Does she wake up in the middle of the night and scratch? -unsure, their cage is in the living room, so i dont hear her at night. But she will wake up from a nap and start going itchy crazy.... While she eats? Plays? When she eats, and kinda random too.. I only just got them on Friday, And i dont have too much bedding for them yet... Im debating if i want to get a new cage for them... And then get the fleece bedding for them that matches the cage style/fit..right now they are in the Kaytee Tall 24 by 24 by 41 H. cage, and I dont like it very much... But for now They are sleeping on my shirts i rotate with my smell so we bond easier...  |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 16:24:16 GMT -5
Haha I hear ya, I did that for Caillou when he first came home.
I have a ferret nation 182, I highly recommend it. I've had a few different cages and none compare to this one. It was a pain to put together but it's breeze to clean and move around in while cleaning and such, plus it's roomy. I'd say best ferret cage on the market. Of course it has it's flaws, but I like it.
And for fleece I recommend walmart, they're pretty cheap and have some cute patterns, most of mine come from there, or the discount fabric store (local)
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 17:44:42 GMT -5
i was looking at the ferret nation cage.. looks sturdy too.. The Kaytee one i have i feel like if they try hard enought they'll bust right out.. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 18:05:34 GMT -5
Never underestimate just how strong they are  It took me 4 hours to get this thing together and it weight 100-200+ lbs so I doubt they'll be breaking out. They only thing that should be more sturdy is the shelfs, mine came with pieces broken off the side. Luckily I use pillow cases to cover the shelfs so you can't see it. |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 18:54:29 GMT -5
Loki will wake up out of a dead sleep, itch like crazy and then literally fall over sound asleep. Lol I give him salmon oil for his itchiness and it seems to have helped. But he still itches every day
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 19:03:17 GMT -5
Good idea Dani!
I say pick up some plain salmon oil from the pet store or grocery store and give her 1/2 tsp every 3 days or so (I think that's the right amount) mine have been getting salmon oil and Caillou has been getting more of it since I mix it with his antibiotics, and he hasn't been as itchy as usual since starting raw and being on salmon oil. Juliet hasn't been either, but she stills itches more than him.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 19:18:15 GMT -5
Ferrets are rather itchy little creatures.
They wake up to itch
They stop playing to itch
They itch when they get excited
They just scratch like they itch all the time.
I use to check mine with a flea comb, no fleas. They have soft and silk coats, their skin isn't dry and so after six ferrets, I have just decided they itch or maybe they just like scratching.
Ferrets really don't need a bath, unless they get into something icky. Too many baths will dry out their skin. I do use all fragrance free detergents for their bedding. And like @julesalot said, 1/2 tsp of oil every 3 days is okay.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 22:02:26 GMT -5
Good idea Dani! I say pick up some plain salmon oil from the pet store or grocery store and give her 1/2 tsp every 3 days or so (I think that's the right amount) mine have been getting salmon oil and Caillou has been getting more of it since I mix it with his antibiotics, and he hasn't been as itchy as usual since starting raw and being on salmon oil. Juliet hasn't been either, but she stills itches more than him. Will this be a permanent thing? And i dont think this is a "normal" itch... It seems like its in the same spot... but i dont see any issues there.. i work at a vets clinic, and im going to be taking them in to get their nails clipped, cause idk how to do it on my own... but i'll have my doc check her if theres any other issues.. :/ |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 14, 2014 22:11:59 GMT -5
Yes I suppose it would be permanent, lots of people do this with their ferrets, it's a nice treat for them and great for their skin and coat.
As for nail clipping I put salmon oil on their bellies and use regular human nail clippers to clip them, kind of parallel to the floor. I was nervous the first time I did it too but now it's just a habit, it's near impossible to do it without some kind of oil on their tummy (ferretone, salmon, fish oil etc) for them to lick off. I think it's best a Vet looks if you're that worried. Can never be too cautious.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 15, 2014 9:27:19 GMT -5
Sounds fairly normal to me actually, unless you find a hotspot or something.
As my DH has often said- they would have taken over the world already if it weren't for the itchies!
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