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Post by katt on Jul 27, 2010 16:31:59 GMT -5
oh boy! You should try making her a feeding den, so she has a designated place to stash her food. I am not sure about this idea with he condition, but perhaps you could give her 30 min to eat in the morning, afternoon and evening? Feed her in a particular spot (her cage for example), then take the food away and let her out to play. Eventually she will learn that she only has those 30 min to eat and that she cannot stash the meat. Someone else will have better ideas than me I am sure.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jul 27, 2010 18:48:20 GMT -5
Mine usually graze on their meat for about 12-24 hours, depending on what they've been fed. Maybe try putting in the new meat, and leave the old til the next feeding? That way, she's always got a bit of stash, but it never gets TOO old.
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Post by Heather on Jul 27, 2010 22:33:20 GMT -5
It certainly appears that she's decided that your toes are responsible for her disappearing stash . I know it's not really funny, but I have to chuckle about it. I've had furbabies who get really upset about their stash being moved or disturbed, but never had them so upset with me that they attacked me. Considering that you know little to nothing about this little one's life prior to you finding her, it sounds to me that this little one has gone hungry at some point in time and she has no intent of it ever happening again. She also thinks that maybe you should let her make her own jerky Perhaps, instead of replacing all of her stash at once, you could try taking some of the pieces and replacing them with newer pieces. It's just a thought. ciao
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Post by tommy on Jul 28, 2010 3:57:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the advice! It's also tricky because she currently lives in the bathroom so is sharing space with us. But this morning, I cleared out the old meat and placed a couple of new ones in their place. She seems fine with it. I'm lucky she can't count as they were not exact replacements! Only ferocious licking, no biting. Maybe she was almost starved when we found her, I will always remember her clutching to a chicken bone...
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Post by sherrylynne on Jul 28, 2010 9:42:10 GMT -5
It's quite possible that poor mite was half starved when you found her! I'm glad she's come so far- and that you were able to successfully replace her stash like you did
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Post by tommy on Jul 31, 2010 17:34:53 GMT -5
Ferry seems to be making a lot more effort to stand on her hind legs since we started going for walks in a natural wildlife area. Her paws and feet get so warm after the hour-long walk. I think it's helping her circulation greatly!
She is still territorial buri try to avoid letting her get me when she is in that mood. Sometimes we will tap her on her nose and say no when she bites hard. Strangely she walks off and starts to dook!
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Post by tommy on Jul 31, 2010 17:36:34 GMT -5
I checked on YouTube to be sure that I wasn't confused. And it sounds like dooking to me. She's also made the same noise in scenarios I associate with happiness, such as being fed quail after a week of not Having it has any of Your ferrets expressed happiness after being reprimanded?
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Post by Heather on Jul 31, 2010 19:18:03 GMT -5
I've got a couple who also dook when annoyed. Fun-Go is the worst, but he's deaf and I've always maintained that he's confused He hisses when he's having fun and dooks when he's annoyed. The boys quite often will dook as they wander away after being told that they can't do something (usually they've got in trouble for beating up one of the little girls). I find it usually means that they will do it again sometime shortly. Napoleon will just circle around and then beats up Calypso again (he doesn't hurt her, he makes her squeek and I don't let him because she's got a spinal injury and has difficulty in defending herself) He will wander around dooking softly to himself. ciao
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jul 31, 2010 22:38:24 GMT -5
Dooking is an expression of excitement. Same with the the war dance/dance of joy and the bottle brush tail. My brats will "dook" when they're annoyed. I image Ferry will be more inclined to use her hind legs in the wilderness - she's smelling prey and predators as well, so she'll definitely be alert and "on her toes" in the woods. This is probably exactly what Ferry needs to sustain strong motivation to work those hind legs for an hour!!! GREAT work on the rehabbing I'm so thrilled to hear how well she is doing - and she's continuing to improve . -jennifer
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Post by tommy on Aug 15, 2010 12:07:33 GMT -5
Ferry's feet have tuned blue!
A week ago, I took her to see a ferret rescue lady to see how she gets on with other ferrets. The lady says that the scabs on her skin, that I was unsure about, were because of mange. She thinks that she doesn't have the parasites now because the scabs look old and her skin wasn't too red.
However a few days later, I saw that her skin was a little red and more scabs seem to have appeared so I ordered Revolution Kitten formula on the internet.
It hasn't arrived and we noticed since a couple of days ago her feet seem to be turning blue! At first I thought it was the newsprint that was rubbing off on her. But it's not!
I am quite annoyed with the vets because Ferry has always had the scabs and I did mention that her hair was very sparse on her lower body.
What can I do now? I will try to get her to another vet (though I'm not sure if they'll give her the right treatment) tomorrow but is there anything I can do in the meantime?
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Post by mustelidmusk on Aug 15, 2010 13:28:11 GMT -5
Is the blue in places where fur grows?
If this is the case, there's probably new fur developing under the skin. This is commonly seen in the groin area of darker furred ferrets. A lot of people see this and think that these are bruises. Depending upon fur color the skin can even look greenish.
A lot of ferts are starting to do coat changes/shedding right now.
If the paw pads look blue, then this would not be a fur thing. (I'm thinking of fur between toes and on the tops of the feet.)
-jennifer
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Post by Heather on Aug 15, 2010 22:13:55 GMT -5
Mange the one thing that totally freaks everyone out....first get a positive diagnosis. This takes a scraping or very close observation. Sometimes even that is difficult but please with all your little one has been through get a positive diagnosis before you treat with the meds. Every animal carries the mange parasite, it flourishes and spreads when an animal is under huge stress, as your little one was. Here is a basic outline: I hope that the information helps a little. Positive diagnosis and early treatment is the key. Note at the bottom of the description, there is a series of diseases or conditions that can be mistaken for mange and perhaps your vet saw the symptoms but made an alternative diagnosis.
**Mange comes in three varieties: Demodectic, Cheyletiella and Sarcoptic. It is caused by different species of mites, tiny eight-legged critters related to spiders. Demodectic Mange
Demodectic mange is caused by Demodex canis, a tiny mite that cannot be seen without the aid of a microscope. This mange strikes puppies from three to 12 months old.
The demodex mite is commonly present in the pores of puppy skin and usually does not cause symptoms, and it not at all certain what causes them to activate. The mites can produce a substance that lowers the dog's resistance to them and make use of an opportunity to multiply.
It's also possible that some lines of purebred dogs carry lowered resistance to the mites, and that stress can trigger an active infestation. In any case, demodectic mange symptoms include thinning of the hair around the eyes and mouth and on the front legs that evolves into patches of hair loss approximately one inch in diameter. This mange may correct itself within three months or may require treatment.
However, demodectic mange can also begin as a localized infestation and develop into a generalized case with multiple hair-loss sites on the dog's head, legs, and body. This is a far more serious condition and requires veterinary attention. The dog's skin is sore, crusty, and oozing; the hair follicles are clogged with mites and debris. Treatment is extended and requires bathing in medicated shampoo and application of an insecticide to kill the mites. Cheyletiella mange
Cheyletiella mange is also known as walking dandruff. It affects puppies and is caused by a large reddish mite that can be seen under a magnifying glass. This mange is identified by the dandruff dusting that occurs over the dog's head, neck, and back.
Walking dandruff is highly contagious but short-lived. It causes mild itching. The mite that causes the mange dies a short time after leaving the host. Sarcoptic mange
Sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies, is caused by a microscopic mite. The female mite causes the characteristic intense itching as they burrow under the skin to lay their eggs. The eggs hatch in a few days, develop into adults, and begin laying their own eggs in less than three weeks.
Dogs with scabies dig and bite at themselves with great ferocity. Their skin reacts with oozing sores, and secondary infection may set in, requiring treatment with an antibiotic in addition to treatment for the mites. Unfortunately, the sarcoptic mange mite can be difficult to find in skin scrapings, and unless the veterinarian parts the hair and carefully examines the bare skin for the characteristic pin-point bite marks, diagnosis is difficult. Furthermore, the presence of a secondary skin infection can hamper the search for the mite bite marks.
Telltale signs of sarcoptic mange are crusty ear tips, fierce itching, and hair loss, particularly on the ears, elbows, legs, and face in the early stages. Later on, the hair loss spreads throughout the body.
Sarcoptic mange is contagious to canines and humans. If the dogs share sleeping places or if the infected dog sleeps on beds or furniture, everyone will begin scratching. It is not unheard of for the family dog to infest the kids, the kids to infest their playmates, and the playmates to infest their pets and parents with scabies. Fortunately scabies in humans is self-limiting, that is the mite can burrow under the skin and cause itching, but cannot complete its life cycle on humans and dies within a few weeks.
Veterinarians now use Ivermectin in two doses, two weeks apart, to kill the mites. They may also prescribe steroids for short-term use to relieve the itching until the mites begin to die off and give the dog some relief. Itching usually begins to subside within a few days of the first dose of Ivermectin.
Canine skin damaged by sarcoptic mange and secondary skin infections can take weeks or months to recover, depending on the scope of the problems. Frequent medicated baths may be necessary to soothe irritated skin.
Mange damage can mimic that caused by other skin conditions, including autoimmune diseases, bacterial infections secondary to flea allergies, and contact dermatitis, making it impossible for the pet owner to diagnose with any success. If your dog suffers from irritated, itchy skin, make an appointment with the veterinarian. Early diagnosis of any of these problems will give you a head start on a cure and will be less uncomfortable for the dog and your wallet.**
Jennifer is correct dark coated ferrets often appear bruised or blueish where the coat is starting to regrow. If her feet are indeed blue then there is a circulatory problem and this should checked out by the vet too. Good luck, give your little one a hug ciao
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Post by tommy on Aug 18, 2010 2:28:32 GMT -5
Oh I think you're right! It's hair! I see baby hair growing out. What a relief! I am not the most enthusiastic about seeing the vets because frankly their services are poor. But I've got lots of medicine now as a preventative since she's always going out and could catch all sorts of parasites.
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Post by sherrylynne on Aug 18, 2010 8:22:08 GMT -5
Oh that is wonderful! She's getting fur back
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Post by mustelidmusk on Aug 18, 2010 8:44:31 GMT -5
When I got my first ferrets and saw the blue spots for fur growth, I though my ferret had been bruised. The blue feet would have flipped me out because I would have immediately thought my ferret was having circulatory problems . That would have scared the heck out of me. Glad to hear the fur is coming in -jennifer
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