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Post by lozmoz on Mar 2, 2011 6:45:09 GMT -5
I need advice. Rufus, my male ferret (he was neutered when I first adopted him, at about 4 - 5 years old) sprays A LOT. He is the only ferret I have, so it's not like he is seeing another ferret and spraying because of them. Something I've noticed a fair bit since I've had him is that not only does he spray A LOT, but that it seems to be at the most unexpected of times. I've never had him do it when he is frightened or anything like that (he doesn't get frightened often!!) but one thing that I've noticed is that a lot of the time he will be sleeping, the room will be fairly quiet, and all of a sudden I will smell him!! Is this normal? I don't understand why he is doing it. It smells so much haha!! Is there anything I can try to help prevent it? Heeeeeelp!!!! :-)
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Post by Sherry on Mar 2, 2011 10:53:31 GMT -5
One problem- ferrets do NOT spray like a cat. When you say that, do you mean he's leaking urine(a sign of possible adrenal), or does he have his "poofers" intact(anal sacs). Or is he simply peeing whenever and wherever he wants(points to needing litter box retraining) How long have you had him for? And when you say neutered when you got him, do you mean you had him neutered?
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Post by lozmoz on Mar 2, 2011 17:01:00 GMT -5
Maybe I'm using the wrong word - it's not spraying as such - not urine. Is scenting a better word for it? I know that in other countries quite often ferrets have their scent glands removed? I think it's illegal to do so over here, so Rufus still has his.
It's a very strong smell, it does go away very quickly tho. It's not like the smell that I smell when he goes to the toilet - that is just a normal urine smell :-) Sorry if I've not explained myself very well. I've just always called it spraying but I guess that's not probably the most accurate name
Yes when I adopted him I decided that I was never going to use him to breed (as He was a rescue ferret I don't know anything about where he came from originally) and I thought it would be kinder (and less smelly!) to take him to the vets and have him desexed (or neutered, as they call it in America).
I hope this extra info makes sense. I hope that I've explained myself a bit better now! :-)
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Post by lozmoz on Mar 2, 2011 17:02:27 GMT -5
I just re-read what you said - I guess the proper name for them are his anal sacs? Hehe. Sorry. I have soooo much to learn about ferrets!!!
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Post by Sherry on Mar 2, 2011 18:41:15 GMT -5
Ok, I got it- he's doing what we call "poofing" ;D I'm willing to bet he's dreaming when he does this. Not having had a ferret with intact anal glands(generally only get mill ferrets here, and they take them out when these poor babes are 4-5 weeks old ), I can't honestly answer anything about it. The dreaming bit is just an assumption on my part. Others here DO have fully "poof" capable ferrets, and I'm sure they'll be on to answer this for you
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Post by trippyferret on Mar 2, 2011 19:04:07 GMT -5
I agree with Sherry. I've had two ferrets with poofers intact(one passed on in October), and they would do it in their sleep too. They don't really poof that often though, it's usually when I'm giving them nasty meds they hate. Or if I surprise them.
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Post by lozmoz on Mar 2, 2011 20:17:39 GMT -5
Thanks for both of your advice :-) he must be dreaming hehe. I wish it would stop but if there is nothing I can do about it then that's ok :-)
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 21:02:32 GMT -5
He might of just figure out how to work those anal glands. Just lovely. I have 7 little proofers at home. Thank god, they don't go off at the same time. It's probably good thing that they release it. You don't need them to get plug up. It's not fun for them when they have a anal gland blockage.
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Post by Deleted on Mar 2, 2011 23:53:22 GMT -5
Some ferrets are just leaky. one of my girls was leaky all the time, so all 4 were off-gassing constantly. The entire house reeked all the time, and my husband had bad asthma attacks from them. Soooo, I called the breeder and was given permission to go ahead with descenting. I felt HORRIBLE about all this, but it was either descent them or get rid of them. They even went a couple of years before I descented them since they tend to settle down after being neutered.
My now-retired vet was an awesome surgeon. to make a long story short, 3 of my brats are now 6, and one is 4.5. Their little bums are all still happily pooping away with no problems. I was so lucky to have my vet as long as long as I did!!! God I miss that man!!!
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on Mar 3, 2011 0:03:24 GMT -5
I've only got two "poofers" Thor rarely lets go. He was altered at a very young age (7 or 8 months) and though he can and does let go once in awhile it rarely happens and isn't very strong. Then, there's Odin. Odin like your boy is a late alter. He was at least 5 yrs old when he was altered. He poofs in his sleep (not all the time). He poofs when he gets a message . He poofs during cage wars . When he broke his tooth during a cage war, and had to have surgery...he poofed us a number of times I think your boy may just be a healthy older male ciao
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Post by Sherry on Mar 3, 2011 0:59:40 GMT -5
Heather- why do I get the feeling Odin just likes poofing? ;D
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Post by Heather on Mar 3, 2011 2:59:43 GMT -5
He's just plain full of himself. I've told him a number of times that he's getting his revenge on me for stealing his "manly bits" ciao
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Post by Deleted on Mar 3, 2011 8:56:55 GMT -5
Question - isn't it true that mill ferrets, or at least Marshall's, only have one anal gland removed? I was under the impression they could not remove both, due to law, or health implications. I don't remember where I read this though, but I have heard it many times, despite the pet store people telling me their fuzz have had their anal glandS (incorrect) removed.
On an unrelated note, in Germany de-scenting is considered mutilation and illegal.
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Post by xfireflyx on Mar 3, 2011 9:17:27 GMT -5
If he is poofing as often as you say he is then his anal glands could be impacted. Feel near his bum can you feel two 'beans' if they are hard then he is impacted and needs them emptying either by a vet or by you. If by a vet book him in at the end of the day and tell the vet to do it outside as It STINKS! same applies if you do it yourself but be gentle.
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Post by trippyferret on Mar 3, 2011 10:49:52 GMT -5
Question - isn't it true that mill ferrets, or at least Marshall's, only have one anal gland removed? I don't think that's true. If it was, then I think my Marshall girls would still have some poofing capability. Curious where you heard that though! I got Daemeon in Germany actually, and was planning to get him descented but then I found out it was illegal there. I'm glad I kept them in though! It's not that bad, it's like a fart to me. I don't descent any weasels if they come with poofers intact. Not necessary.
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