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Post by RedSky on Mar 24, 2015 7:17:44 GMT -5
I went with the implant, mainly as my uncle a keeper of working ferrets (supplier of Percy) said "get his balls chopped off" Little confused if the first line is a typo or not. Either way it can take time for hormones to settle, I think the implant works quicker than neutering but I'm not sure, hopefully someone can come along and help out. But also it's probably become a habit that needs to be broken. Is your boyfriend interacting more with Percy? How is Percy reacting to him when he offers him food and treats, or tries to play with him? How is Percy with him when it's just the two of them? Mako does the holding on and trying to stash us thing, doesn't hurt unless we pull back. Alex I feel your pain, Korra is not safe around any bare skin so I have to be fully covered including my feet, legs, ankles, arms. Not looking forwards to that in the summer. Mako is the bare foot biter, he seems to think they are toys and give a nip to get them dancing around so he can chase them. He's not left a mark but feet are sensitive and it's not at all pleasant. I just do my best to distract him and play with him with my hands instead. Bolin is my trusted ferret, he's so good but will lick my feet and legs when I get out of the shower, ferret tongue between the toes is HORRIBLE!
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Post by raynebc on Mar 24, 2015 12:55:22 GMT -5
My girl ferret likes to lick my hands if they have water on them.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2015 15:03:56 GMT -5
What would you say about a ferret that loves to sniff and nip at feet? This isn't really a behavioral problem on Piper's behalf but on mine- I love being barefoot, and I can't stand things being around my feet. Piper only rarely bites feet- if anything, her gentle inquisition makes me aggressive! How do I teach her that I don't like her touching my feet? (or anyone's feet, as it makes a lot of my guests uncomfortable) @abster your initial post on this thread cracked me up. As far as Percy-the-Boyfriend's bite, puncture wounds are pretty nasty, and are the most likely to get infected. Keep a close eye on them, applying honey or bacitracin as needed. If you suspect infection at any point, you may have to take him to a doctor for antibiotics. I got Percy to leave my feet alone firstly by wearing slippers then going to socks onto bare feet occasionally he will have a sniff or lick when I'm washing up, other than that my feet are safe! I found not waving my feet around lowered he's interest in them along with hissing at him. Glad the initial post made you laugh, trying to make light of it all. Boyfriend got a antiseptic wipe and a plaster, he later admitted he googled if he need a tetanus jab, cheeky git! I'm worried if Percy needs a jab from biting him so hard!
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2015 15:07:17 GMT -5
I went with the implant, mainly as my uncle a keeper of working ferrets (supplier of Percy) said "get his balls chopped off" Little confused if the first line is a typo or not. Either way it can take time for hormones to settle, I think the implant works quicker than neutering but I'm not sure, hopefully someone can come along and help out. But also it's probably become a habit that needs to be broken. Is your boyfriend interacting more with Percy? How is Percy reacting to him when he offers him food and treats, or tries to play with him? How is Percy with him when it's just the two of them? Mako does the holding on and trying to stash us thing, doesn't hurt unless we pull back. Its a typo! sorry. Boyfriend won't feed Percy and generally has taken a disliking to Percy being out of his cage!
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Post by RedSky on Mar 24, 2015 15:18:24 GMT -5
Oh dear, in a way I can't blame him but at the same time Percy can't spend all his time locked up and I'm sure you won't let that happen. Your boyfriend needs to be the one to put in the effort otherwise the relationship will never change.
Good luck
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2015 15:52:49 GMT -5
Abster, I'm concerned that even after receiving great advise from Heather, you seem to still consider punishment as an option. Punishment is negative reinforcement to a ferret, with the emphasis on reinforcing the behavior. Like Heather, I deal with rescues that are biters. Positive interactions are the method that works best. It takes a lot of patience and willingness to work with the ferret. I understand that your boyfriend doesn't want to risk getting bit. Have him start by offering treats through the cage bars.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 24, 2015 16:44:28 GMT -5
@jadeguppy, I didn't get that impression at all. @abster seems to understand that Heather's advice is good and coming from someone who cares. I think Abster is doing the best she can in a tough situation.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 25, 2015 11:08:46 GMT -5
Oh no I'm not punishing Percy at all. Percy gets the run of the flat (almost a few rooms are out of bounds) just like before. I've said to my boyfriend to feed Percy show him some love, affection etc, he has chosen not to. That's all.
Percy is still spoilt as ever. Yes I understand Heathers advice and have tried to implement it, however when the boyfriend isn't willing what can I do? (Replace boyfriend hehehehe)
When Percy has nipped or bitten boyfriend I have stood on the fence and asked probing question, to boyfriend not Percy, however Percy would make more sense, to assassin what happened and who was at fault. It's like having two children (not that I have any!)
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Post by RedSky on Mar 25, 2015 11:26:21 GMT -5
Not sure if I should be laughing about this or not, I can imagine the stress you are going through with these two 'boys' in your life. I will admit I laid down the law pretty fast with my OH when we started dating. It was simple, Cookie (my dog) was number 1, that was never going to change, no matter what. He had to accept it and deal with Cookie how I wanted him to, not deal with him at all, or sod off. But that's me and I tend to be very very defensive about my family and more so about the ones that can't talk for themselves.
At this point I'd just try to let things settle for a bit, and see what happens. My OH wasn't to interested in my pets at the beginning but soon learned their ways and grew attached, to some more than others. I'm sure in time Percy will weasel his way into your boyfriends heart, or at the very least they will learn to tolerate each other. If not, then there is always the option to re-home the boyfriend... hehe
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Post by Deleted on Apr 5, 2015 16:33:02 GMT -5
Well Percy has has his ballsremoved and the boyfriend got the elbow! (Actually was a joint choice as we argued so much).
Percy is doing well after his operation and is back to running around like a loon, mind you he did this when we got back from the vets, he got out of the travel cage and started running around climbed onto the sofa into his dig box ball pool leapt from sofa onto coffee table and there I am trying to grab him keep him still because of his stitches!
Operation took place in Thursday, today (Sunday) he has been sent to his "naught step box" 7 times, for some strange reason he keeps nipping me and holding on, it's not in his usual tender way but actually hurts! I've told him to cut it out not to bite the human but it's as if he is angry at me over the loss of his balls!
The cut is clean no obvious infection, he has been good and taken his daily anti inflammatory medicine.
Not quite understanding his current behaviour.
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Post by bitbyter on Apr 5, 2015 17:24:41 GMT -5
Biting and holding is a mating behaviour. It will probably stop once the hormones in his system subside.
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Post by Heather on Apr 5, 2015 17:26:25 GMT -5
Revenge.. :evil4: The anesthetic can result in behavioural issues. Most times people overlook the weird attitudes and quirks that happen and don't associate them with the anesthetic but behavioural issues that occur after surgery can often be directly attributed to the drugs that are required. They often just fade away with time. Homeopathic medicine often takes these "quirks" in mind and there are remedies that can help overcome the drugs that were given (these remedies can be arranged with your naturalpath). ciao
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Post by RedSky on Apr 6, 2015 6:59:04 GMT -5
Oh dear, I'm sorry to hear about the relationship. All I can say is it is probably for the best. Hopefully the next guy will be an animal lover.
As for Percy I hope he settles and forgives quickly, doesn't sound like a fun time for you (or him).
I'm sure the time outs and time at home will quickly rebuild his trust and get him back to normal. Have you tried a bit of Rescue Remedy (RR)? I usually add it in the water or just give a drop straight to them before and after something stressful. Bolin never had any side effects from the anaesthetic, but then he was really poorly so probably didn't have the energy to do anything and he was already on the RR.
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Post by Deleted on May 8, 2015 16:16:20 GMT -5
Just to update everyone, Percy has gone back to normal, that's if there is a normal for a ferret! He is only attention nipping and seems to be lots happier once again Thank you everyone for your perils of wisdom.
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Post by unclejoe on May 8, 2015 18:33:38 GMT -5
Yay!
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