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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2011 21:53:42 GMT -5
So, I'm looking to expand my ferret family. Poor lil Ms Freya needs a friend! Of course ferret math is striking and I've been contacted via craigslist by a woman who is re-homing 2 ferrets who were her son's, who has now left home...etc etc Anyway...this is my first time 'rescuing' a ferret (or two). What should I ask (papers on vaccinations, vet visits, etc but what else?) - what should I look for? What are some signs of a sick fert? Including a deaf DEW. Please let me know your thoughts. I will of course be bringing them to a vet.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 23, 2011 22:11:05 GMT -5
Generally, you can assume if it's a dark eyed white, odds are high he or she is deaf. Check for dark colored dirty looking wax in the ears. Can indicate mites. Fuzz needs to be treated before your's is exposed. Hair loss and muscle wasting could be adrenal. Check for hind end weakness. Could be adrenal. Also check the thread in ferret talk about aging your ferret by their teeth. That will give you an idea how old they actually are. I know someone who's heart went out to a thin 2 year old ferret. Only to find out he was a very sick 10 year old who she helped to cross the bridge 3 weeks after bringing him home.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2011 22:14:33 GMT -5
It would wreck me if I were in that kind of situation, wrapping your heart up in a lil one just to help them pass the bridge. I went through that with an iguana, who had been a classmate's "project" in bio in high school Thank you - I will definitely check that thread out.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 6:31:27 GMT -5
A few more questions...Should I take my ferret to meet these other two before any transaction takes place? What if they don't get along with Freya? I know that she and Loki didn't get along when they first met (he has sadly moved back to GA with his ferrant ). Hmm I can't think of anything else to ask...
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 9:40:31 GMT -5
There are two sides to the meet and greet question. On one side, yes you want to see if they'll get along. But on the other side, you risk exposing them to whatever the new ferret may have (ADV, mites, fleas, other viral or bacterial infections, distemper). I would meet with the ferret first before introducing your kids to them. That way, you can look at the household, conditions theyre kept in, maybe check their litter box to see what stools look like, before introducing your crew to them (if you chose to do so).
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Post by Deleted on Oct 24, 2011 16:12:14 GMT -5
That is a very good point. Thank you!!
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2011 0:43:59 GMT -5
These are the lil ferts in question..the DEW is deaf. I've rather fallen in love already... haha I simply can't help it!!! Uploaded with ImageShack.usIt's a rather small image, but I'll be visiting them on Wednesday. If everything is good...meaning I've gotten my parents' approval (since I'm under their roof, they get to make the final decision) and they look healthy and the woman agrees on a reasonable price (she also has a Ferret Nation cage, a 182, in pretty much stellar condition). I am very excited. I feel the chances of my parents agreeing with me are fairly good (knocking on wood here). so please, folks, send good energy my way that I can help these ferts out before their owner gets too desperate.. Admittedly I am very nervous!
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Post by Heather on Oct 25, 2011 1:21:57 GMT -5
Good luck with your ferret math. May everything go your way and the intros go smoothly. ciao
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Post by Deleted on Oct 25, 2011 4:36:14 GMT -5
I have rescued two ferrets from craigslist - two different homes - check for fleas - both ferrets were healthy - cage was clean - both about a year old + , and they got along with my exsisting three - I have been lucky. I was very concerned when I introduced the girl to the boys (4) she dooked and then Hissed and hissed because they kept sniffing her butt - but she would run away and back to them - she wanted to play - she had lived alone and caged - did NOT like being picked up because that meant back in the cage -they have the bed room to free roam in. Now I can pick her up and give scritches
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