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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 13:07:06 GMT -5
Why is my ferret, Lincoln suddenly become so mean the past couple weeks? I thought it was just because he was moody, then I thought it was because we brought Riley home, but now I'm wondering what's really going on.
He's not mean to me or the bf but the other boys. Normally he fights with the others, but it's to the point he's taking the underside of their necks in his mouth and shaking his head while they scream.
Is this normal? He never has done this before. I try to get on the floor and play with him, but then he just gets too hyper and starts in with the other guys. Even when I let him out before the others, he still has tons of energy and will do this.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 5, 2011 13:36:03 GMT -5
It could still be because Riley came home. When they get upset over something, it can last a while. Try some Bach's Rescue Remedy for a couple of weeks, see if it helps. It certainly won't hurt. The other thing that comes to mind is adrenal. How old is he, however? And is he showing other signs of possible adrenal disease? Bladder leakage, fur thinning on toes, head, hips, etc?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 13:45:02 GMT -5
I was just looking into Adrenal. I don't think it is, but I suppose you should never rule something out if you're not sure.
He's not quite 2 yet. Bathroom habits are normal. No thinning besides normal shedding from what I see. He doesn't act like he is in any pain either.
I've heard of Bach's Rescue Remedy, but had no idea if it was really safe for ferrets. I'll have to order some.
All of my ferrets are fixed, but could he be so upset because he can tell Riley is a girl?
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Post by Sherry on Feb 5, 2011 13:48:12 GMT -5
If it's because of Riley, it would just be the change in routine upsetting him. As for the adrenal, Zeus' only sign for a while was ferret aggression. Sinnead's first symptom was mounting behaviour. It also looked like dominance issues, since the only one she did that with was the newest ferret. It was also adrenal- related. Athena's ONLY symtom was she became very timid. My vet will give a trial shot of lupron to see if it moderates behavioural symptoms. If it works- you are likely dealing with adrenal. If it doesn't, no harm done anyway.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 13:59:17 GMT -5
My vet - well, there is no way I can put this nicely - really sucks. She charges outrageous prices because she is the only "knowledgeable" ferret vet in the area. When the boys were all very sick with a virus last year, we ended up spending $600 on the office visit, antibacterial meds for all 3, a glucose test for Bonkers, and some glucose medicine for him. Then she wanted us to come back the next month for a check-up...for another $150. So...she's not too kind on discounts let alone "trials". I've heard Lupron is very expensive. It can't hurt to ask her though, but I'm just not fond of her. It very well could be Riley, because now that you mention it, they do get cage time more often I have to work so hard with her one-on-one because she bites badly.
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Post by sherik on Feb 5, 2011 14:41:08 GMT -5
I'm guessing it is the new one. I just got a new one named Fog and Sid who is normally super friendly does the exact same thing. He is just over 1 years old.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 14:48:28 GMT -5
Did you introduce them slowly? Sometimes it helps to ease them into one another, so they can get used to the new guy first.
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Post by Heather on Feb 5, 2011 15:11:15 GMT -5
It sounds to me, that the addition of a new ferret has set him off. I find that if they have a really strong fuzz leading them that these minor skirmishes don't happen. I lost Attila and now I have fuzzes all over the place. I have a couple of dominant fuzzies but none of them are comfortable enough to allow a reasonably strong minded ferret into their business. Lady "B" has not been the strength that she was when Attila was around. I know that some people don't believe in this whole dominance thing but when Attila was alive I had 15 fuzzies who all lived and played together. There were rumbles but never out and out fights. Even Odin, who was intact and in season, accepted Attila as boss. That is very unusual for a hob to accept a jib as boss, it's unusual for a hob to cohabit with another ferret during season. Another thing that I used to find was that everyone was rather antzie in the spring. Heightened hormonal responses (which happen even if the ferrets are altered) might also be part of the problem. It could be adrenal, but I would like to believe that these fuzzes are too young for this horribly frustrating disease. I hope that you find a solution, I do know how frustrating and stressful this whole bickering can be. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 15:37:34 GMT -5
jackie - They are still housed separately right now, but we have been introducing them in the bathtub one on one for a week, then this past week we've been letting them all out together. They don't usually fight with her, just follow her around constantly sniffing. Then one of them will tackle and bite her. We let it go until she tries to run away. Then we pet the attacker, tell him no and place him in his cage. If they go without attacking her during their out time, then we give them a treat. Heather - I really do hope it isn't adrenal either. It's terrible in the first place, but even worse when they're so young. Also, for Bach's Rescue Remedy...what exactly should I get?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 15:43:25 GMT -5
have you tired maybe swapping out hammocks so that her hammock that has her scent on it is with the boys and she get;s theirs? that way they get used to her smell?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 15:44:58 GMT -5
Yes, but the hammock switch went badly as the boys wouldn't sleep in her hammock. So I had to wash it and put a previously washed one in. It's been horrible trying to get them accustomed to each other. We never had this much of a problem with any of the others.
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Post by joan on Feb 5, 2011 15:45:35 GMT -5
I think Heather came up with the probable cause...even the early neuters have a hormonal increase in the spring, and I suspect what you're seeing is a rather mixed up attempt at breeding behavior.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 5, 2011 16:45:05 GMT -5
When she runs away, does she come back, or simply hide and stay there?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 5, 2011 21:37:09 GMT -5
Neither, she runs away and starts sniffing something else, then they run and tackle her again lol. She is never without boys on her tail (quite literally).
Thank you for all of the comments! =]
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Post by Deleted on Feb 6, 2011 0:11:22 GMT -5
Hopefully he starts getting nicer
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