How to help Cooper (behavioral issues after new ferret)

[nannah]

Hey, everyone! As always, thank you for helping me so much. 

In June, we got Igor (10months), and Cooper (my 2yo) absolutely detests him. After quarantining and sniffing through the gate and all the initial warmups, things seemed (seemed) to be going pretty well. Tad and Igor immediately bonded (which is amazing because Tad was the one who didn't get along with my previous two ferrets -- though they were older, so ...). But oof, Igor and Cooper together ... not great. It's not Igor at all, though, it's Cooper, who freaks out and just Attacks! Drawing blood, making Igor fear-poop within five seconds, etc. Now Cooper even tries to attack through the gate. 

Soooo ... I've given up thinking Cooper will ever accept Igor, but that's not really the issue. Cooper's biting, which was getting SO much better (he had never bit me anymore), has gotten the worst it's ever been. I'm not afraid of him or anything and I know how to handle him, but he'll definitely shred the skin off my hands/feet if I mess up or he gets the chance. :/  He's also been moping a lot, and it's difficult to get him to play, and he's not eating as much. (He also won't cuddle with me anymore, which is definitely the saddest for me!)

I've been handfeeding him often, especially since all he wants to eat is either chicken or hen now. I've been making some soupie, but he doesn't want that either. It's a fight to get him to eat on non-poultry meals (turkey is okay ... if it's necks).

I use sin bin timeouts, know when to draw away when I know he'll bite, etc., but he's just kind of drawing away in general. I barely see him all day. What can I do?

[abbeytheferret6]

Do you think he may be sick?

I think you may need to pay special attention to him ---you did say you barely see him all day?
Do u have a leash for him---so you can do a walk around your house. Let him get out and smell the dirt and investigate the yard or garden. I like wat caitmonster said to emotionaltimebomb about taking her own ---who did did not like each other--- for walks ( a neutral ground). Hers learned to tolerate each other and eventually began playing together.

timeout bin should be 2-3 minutes.
Never did use them. Well, not for long. I guess I was lazy--especially if that something wears me out before the ferret.

Do you have some tunnels--corrugated black drainage tubing-- I used these, and my new girl would escape into them from meanies. www.lowes.com/pd/ADS-4-in-x-10-ft-Corrugated-Perforated-Pipe/50163591?
My girl was a nice size and eventually defended herself. Did make sleeping buddies with one of them. The other kind of left her alone after she saw she would take up for herself. She would  run and hide in tubing. They would not go in after her. There was no blood or poop tho.

However. I did separate my male from girls after a fight that resulted in a broke leg.

I do run really warm water over food that my ferret is not interested in and leave about a tablespoon or more of water in the food. My boy likes to slurp water before or as he is eating. 

You might try warming the dish before putting soupie on it. Maybe he will eat the soupie warm. I find a dash of water on saucer in the microwave will heat it up faster (takes just a few seconds). Then, stir soupie around with finger. Make sure no hotspots. You can also sit and hold in lap and finger feed. Sometimes they like being babied.

[Charlie]

Could Cooper be showing signs of adrenal disease? He is getting aggressive even towards you. And with him not always wanting to eat and withdrawing from play he may need a visit with the vet. Has Cooper gotten a DES implant at all? He is around that age where these signs show up.

[nannah]

Hi, everyone! I'm sorry this reply is so late. Cooper does have adrenal disease, he got that and his first Deslorelin about a year ago.

But the reason I haven't replied till now is because he WAS sick (thank you abbeytheferret6). He had a blockage -- he managed to pass it RIGHT when we got to the vet, and we got x-rays to be sure it was all out, and thankfully it was. He's been recovering well, though he's still a bit bitey, lol.

[Charlie]

Oh poor little guy. Glad he's ok and was able to pass what he ate. He wasn't feeling well. Glad he's on his way to recovery.

[unclejoe]

Wow thanks for the update. I'm glad he's ok