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Post by Tarfish on Jan 10, 2019 21:07:22 GMT -5
Hi all! So I'm having a bit of a problem with one of my ferrets. I got him a few months back for free from Petco after he had been returned there four times due to aggression. I have never owned ferrets before him but absolutely fell in love with him and, after doing research, I decided to bring him home along with a rescue ferret. At first, everything was fine but more recently he's been very aggressive towards me. Every time I pick him up or even reach my hand into the cage to refresh their food in the morning, he bites me. Once it was hard enough to even break skin, so I don't think it was a play bite. I've tried approaching him differently and have stopped picking him up altogether but getting him out of his cage for play time or even just to spot clean can be difficult when he is in there. I've begun to fear him a little, too, and it's making me have negative feelings towards him. His brother acts completely fine and is super sweet and loving and they absolutely adore each other.
He's in no danger of being rehomed a fifth time, I am dedicated to being his forever home even if it means I can never handle him unless necessary. However, how can I work with his aggression or can I? I had him tested for adrenal and the vet said nothing was wrong (he does have some minor hair loss on his back thighs). He's estimated to be about 2 years old.
I'd appreciate any advice! Thanks!
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Jan 11, 2019 7:05:02 GMT -5
My craigslist 1 year old was very aggressive when I got her. Same thing here too--- no changing blankets or potties in the cage--nor changing them in the ferret room without her coming over to investigate and try to bite me. The young couple worked long hours that I got her from. A little frisky today at 4.5 , she has became a sweetie over time. She still will grab our fingers and clutch them tightly with her paws. We get a little apprehensive when she does (LOL). She plays rough, so I would not let just anyone hold her. My girl loved chasing a cat toy--it just fit her personality(I even tied a mouse on it to get her to eat mice). I remember a piece came off and she gobbled it up like she meant it wasn't going to get away. So there is hope with time. I would still hold him but make them brief holds(lol). Offer a little salmon oil out of hand occasionally---no more than an accumulation of 1 teaspoon a week.
I read allergy to foods can cause hair loss. As far as adrenal, I do practice lights out at night for the ferrets and dark places for them to sleep during day. My open cages have blankets so top floors are always dark. One of my girls just got a DES implant as she was losing hair in spite of my practice(I will continue to provide dark places during day anyway). My adrenal girl is a kisser not aggressive. I do not know how males act with adrenal if that is the case.
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Post by Heather on Jan 11, 2019 13:20:35 GMT -5
Throw the test out the window. It's not worth the time or the money invested. If there is hair loss along the hips and territorial aggression you've got an adrenal ferret. Treat him and see if that solves your aggression issue. I would DES. He's the right age, the behaviour is enough for me to treat him but the hair loss along the hips, yes.
As far as the biting, time outs in the sin bin when he does it.
ciao
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Post by Tarfish on Jan 11, 2019 14:33:37 GMT -5
Throw the test out the window. It's not worth the time or the money invested. If there is hair loss along the hips and territorial aggression you've got an adrenal ferret. Treat him and see if that solves your aggression issue. I would DES. He's the right age, the behaviour is enough for me to treat him but the hair loss along the hips, yes. As far as the biting, time outs in the sin bin when he does it. ciao Sorry, what does DES stand for or is it short for the deslorelin implants? |
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Jan 11, 2019 17:22:03 GMT -5
Yes. Ask different vets in your area their prices. I have been going to my exotic vet for years, but I found it about $50 cheaper at another place (after I done spent the money with her).
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Post by Tarfish on Jan 11, 2019 17:40:49 GMT -5
Gotcha. Thanks for the advice everyone! I'll call some different vets and work on it right away as well as try the salmon oil. Today he came up and sniffed my foot without biting so he got a little treat. This is giving me hope!  |
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