Post by alyse on Mar 9, 2019 22:00:03 GMT -5
I've had Ezra for about 5 years, and joined this forum way back when I first got him. So I've read all around about stimulating and safe toys, rearranging the cage, keeping him active and playful.
A recent sickness (from which he has recovered 100%!) had me take him to a different vet than he normally sees, and during the course of our visit, this vet did a few quick tests and diagnosed him as fully blind with absolutely no vision. I already knew that Ezra was fully deaf and suspected that he had sight loss. Since the vet visit I've done some tests myself and concluded that yes Ezra is, and I now suspect always has been, completely blind. He is a blaze pattern and I know this is common for mill ferrets, so it doesn't change anything really.
HOWEVER! The thought occurred to me that now it makes sense why he doesn't explore certain areas of his cage at all when I rearrange or mix things up. He can't see them! Sometimes it takes him several days or even a week to take interest in his ball pit after a rearrange, and now this makes sense. Especially he doesn't take interest in hanging hammocks that I don't show him. When I do guide him into them, he still seems unsure and usually just backs off and prefers to sleep in more grounded areas (he has plenty to choose from). But now I'm worried that I'm moving things and he's losing them, because he can't see them.
My question is this: should I stop moving things around in an attempt to stimulate, if he's completely blind and deaf? He never has any trouble finding food or the bathroom. Would it be kinder to make things predictable for him, so he always knows where his toys are and can take comfort in that, or is this not something ferrets who are blind/deaf really care about? If so, are there any other suggestions for keeping his cage stimulating and fun that doesn't involve moving or rotating out toys? He has a fleece pit, stuffed animals, etc. Just wondering if anyone had this particular problem too or if y'all have any unique suggestions.
Thank you as always for your attention and advice.
A recent sickness (from which he has recovered 100%!) had me take him to a different vet than he normally sees, and during the course of our visit, this vet did a few quick tests and diagnosed him as fully blind with absolutely no vision. I already knew that Ezra was fully deaf and suspected that he had sight loss. Since the vet visit I've done some tests myself and concluded that yes Ezra is, and I now suspect always has been, completely blind. He is a blaze pattern and I know this is common for mill ferrets, so it doesn't change anything really.
HOWEVER! The thought occurred to me that now it makes sense why he doesn't explore certain areas of his cage at all when I rearrange or mix things up. He can't see them! Sometimes it takes him several days or even a week to take interest in his ball pit after a rearrange, and now this makes sense. Especially he doesn't take interest in hanging hammocks that I don't show him. When I do guide him into them, he still seems unsure and usually just backs off and prefers to sleep in more grounded areas (he has plenty to choose from). But now I'm worried that I'm moving things and he's losing them, because he can't see them.
My question is this: should I stop moving things around in an attempt to stimulate, if he's completely blind and deaf? He never has any trouble finding food or the bathroom. Would it be kinder to make things predictable for him, so he always knows where his toys are and can take comfort in that, or is this not something ferrets who are blind/deaf really care about? If so, are there any other suggestions for keeping his cage stimulating and fun that doesn't involve moving or rotating out toys? He has a fleece pit, stuffed animals, etc. Just wondering if anyone had this particular problem too or if y'all have any unique suggestions.
Thank you as always for your attention and advice.
