Post by katt on Jan 13, 2011 4:33:07 GMT -5
I thought the stuff in here was cute. Enjoy!
ferretmagic.tripod.com/funstuff.html
ferretmagic.tripod.com/funstuff.html
Advice for ferrets
Dear Dr. Ferret,
I am concerned about my human. Though I am taken to the vet yearly for my check up and shots, I have no such way to check on the health of my human. Is there any way I can do any tests at home to make sure my human is still in good working order?
Signed,
Fuzzy in Philadelphia
Dear Fuzzy,
I hope this helps…
How to conduct a check up on your person.
1. Check first for hearing acuity…. This should be done several times at different times of the day. There are several options available, including the following…
When your person is holding you, nuzzle up next to their face (act snuggly and lovable to gain their trust) When the person is at ease, stick your nose into the ear and sniff LOUDLY. If your human jumps and squeals, you can assume the probability of normal hearing. This test should be repeated on both ears. It is possible, though, that the temperature of your cold wet nose causes the reaction. Try this test several times, first warming your nose.
There are two reliable hearing tests you can perform remotely, while in your cage, or roaming around your house. You can try digging all the litter out of your box. The sound of litter hitting the bottom of a cage will bring any human with normal hearing into the room with speed. (The human may be yelling, “NO STOP DON’T” Disregard these utterances, as they have no bearing on the test results.) You can also empty your food bowl in the same manner, though some practitioners would consider this to be a waste of good food. The next test works best in the middle of the night (wait until about 3 or 4 in the morning.) Station yourself next to your litterpan, water bottle, or food bowl. Insert your nose between your chosen test instrument and the side of the cage, raise your head and let it fall, making sure that a reasonably loud sound is made. Repeat over and over and over and over…until test subject comes dashing from the bedroom to investigate. (Don’t be satisfied with a vocal response. For the test result to be conclusive, the subject must leave the sleeping area.)
2. A vision exam is the next step to take. This has several options, as well. The first is to lay, belly-up, on the floor in front of your person. A person who can see properly will bend down to scoop you up. Only a blind person will ignore a ferret on its back. A test for peripheral vision is a bit complicated. The first step is to escape from your cage. The next phase is difficult. You have to hide long enough for your person to give up the search. Then, as they settle down to wait for you to surface, they may go to the computer, or turn on the television. Your next move is to scurry from your hiding place, and dash to a new one. If your human stops, and looks in your direction, there’s a good chance that their peripheral vision is normal. You may have to avoid capture for several hours to make sure your test is thorough. This test is best done after you’ve slipped out of your bell collar. Another test, for night vision, is possible to do during the day. Snatch something your human uses a lot, such as car keys. Place them as far underneath the bed or sofa as you can. If your human can spot them in the gloom under the furniture, be assured of normal night vision.
3. Next, check for reflexes. The following tests may seem a bit extreme, but it is VITAL to assure the complete health of your human. Humans often remove their protective foot coverings. The toes are a good place to check for foot reflexes. Sneak up, and nip at the toes, making sure not to get yourself kicked or stepped on. If your human makes a screeching noise, or jerks up the foot, you can assume normal reflexes. Another test, if your human is less responsive to the toe test, involves a bit of maneuvering. When your human is seated or lying down, there’s a bit of tender skin above the knees. This is where the maneuvering comes in. Most humans are leery of any investigating in this area. If you can, position yourself near the knee, and take another nip. It can be harder or softer than the toe nip, depending on how aggressive the practitioner is. The most common response to this stimulus is a loud screech followed by the human equivalent of the War Dance. (note that this rendering of the dance is not nearly as elegant as those performed by ferrets.)
These are basic tests that you can use to assure yourself that your human is healthy. Good luck, and I hope you and your human have a happy and healthy relationship.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ferret
Written by: Melissa H Used with permission
Dear Dr. Ferret,
I am concerned about my human. Though I am taken to the vet yearly for my check up and shots, I have no such way to check on the health of my human. Is there any way I can do any tests at home to make sure my human is still in good working order?
Signed,
Fuzzy in Philadelphia
Dear Fuzzy,
I hope this helps…
How to conduct a check up on your person.
1. Check first for hearing acuity…. This should be done several times at different times of the day. There are several options available, including the following…
When your person is holding you, nuzzle up next to their face (act snuggly and lovable to gain their trust) When the person is at ease, stick your nose into the ear and sniff LOUDLY. If your human jumps and squeals, you can assume the probability of normal hearing. This test should be repeated on both ears. It is possible, though, that the temperature of your cold wet nose causes the reaction. Try this test several times, first warming your nose.
There are two reliable hearing tests you can perform remotely, while in your cage, or roaming around your house. You can try digging all the litter out of your box. The sound of litter hitting the bottom of a cage will bring any human with normal hearing into the room with speed. (The human may be yelling, “NO STOP DON’T” Disregard these utterances, as they have no bearing on the test results.) You can also empty your food bowl in the same manner, though some practitioners would consider this to be a waste of good food. The next test works best in the middle of the night (wait until about 3 or 4 in the morning.) Station yourself next to your litterpan, water bottle, or food bowl. Insert your nose between your chosen test instrument and the side of the cage, raise your head and let it fall, making sure that a reasonably loud sound is made. Repeat over and over and over and over…until test subject comes dashing from the bedroom to investigate. (Don’t be satisfied with a vocal response. For the test result to be conclusive, the subject must leave the sleeping area.)
2. A vision exam is the next step to take. This has several options, as well. The first is to lay, belly-up, on the floor in front of your person. A person who can see properly will bend down to scoop you up. Only a blind person will ignore a ferret on its back. A test for peripheral vision is a bit complicated. The first step is to escape from your cage. The next phase is difficult. You have to hide long enough for your person to give up the search. Then, as they settle down to wait for you to surface, they may go to the computer, or turn on the television. Your next move is to scurry from your hiding place, and dash to a new one. If your human stops, and looks in your direction, there’s a good chance that their peripheral vision is normal. You may have to avoid capture for several hours to make sure your test is thorough. This test is best done after you’ve slipped out of your bell collar. Another test, for night vision, is possible to do during the day. Snatch something your human uses a lot, such as car keys. Place them as far underneath the bed or sofa as you can. If your human can spot them in the gloom under the furniture, be assured of normal night vision.
3. Next, check for reflexes. The following tests may seem a bit extreme, but it is VITAL to assure the complete health of your human. Humans often remove their protective foot coverings. The toes are a good place to check for foot reflexes. Sneak up, and nip at the toes, making sure not to get yourself kicked or stepped on. If your human makes a screeching noise, or jerks up the foot, you can assume normal reflexes. Another test, if your human is less responsive to the toe test, involves a bit of maneuvering. When your human is seated or lying down, there’s a bit of tender skin above the knees. This is where the maneuvering comes in. Most humans are leery of any investigating in this area. If you can, position yourself near the knee, and take another nip. It can be harder or softer than the toe nip, depending on how aggressive the practitioner is. The most common response to this stimulus is a loud screech followed by the human equivalent of the War Dance. (note that this rendering of the dance is not nearly as elegant as those performed by ferrets.)
These are basic tests that you can use to assure yourself that your human is healthy. Good luck, and I hope you and your human have a happy and healthy relationship.
Sincerely,
Dr. Ferret
Written by: Melissa H Used with permission