Advice on how to keep a ferret calm after major surgery

[ferretsinspace]

My ferret Frodo had a leg amputated today and  just 3 hours later he's already trying to run around. Does anyone have any advice on how to keep him calm for the next two weeks until his staples are removed? I don't normally cage my ferrets so while I'm trying to keep him in a large rabbit cage right now I don't expect that to work, he's already tried to escape and I'm worried that he'll hurt himself. 

[Corvidophile]

For an afternoon I’d suggest doping with Benadryl, but for two weeks I’m not sure. It may be best to try not to change too much at all, so that he doesn’t hurt himself digging to try and get out of places. How far up the leg is gone?

[abbeytheferret6]

I kept my Annabelle in a Marshall Farm 8 panel playpen(broke leg). Hard to watch her in that enclosure when she is a free roamer but you got to do what you got to do. I also have a playpen(8 panel)that I ordered and purchased at Walmarts by kaytee. It was cheaper but just as good---  she had plenty of of blankets to burrow in and a potty. It is also at Chewy's

www.chewy.com/kaytee-pet-n-playpen-small-animal/dp/166776?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Kaytee&utm_te


I would not dose with benadryl unless under supervision of vet.

[Heather]

I would question why you do not have some sort of pain med. This should knock him out for the most part. Do not use Benadryl...this is an allergy med and not meant to calm a ferret for pain. Keep him confined to a small comfy area. This is hard on an active free roaming ferret but it must be done that he does not further injure himself. I kept my boy in the top level of a ferret nation but a Marshals playpen might also provide some security as well.
ciao

[peacexlovexpets]

If the vet didn't give you any form of sedative, I would ask for one (they help loads). I would much rather have a drowsy animal over one that is trying to push it after a surgery.

Give him safe alternatives to running around like a ball pit (it can easily be cleaned and sanitized) and mental stimulation via smells and whatnot (take him with you on adventures in a cage/pet carrier). For day to day, having a pop-up carrier/puppy playpen style cage would be a great way to limit accidents with the staples. I have a friend who's dog had torn ACL and he had to be on cage rest, so they got him a big set-up cage that they kept in the living room so he could still be a part of the action even on cage rest.

Best of luck and hopefully it is a speedy recovery for your noodle!