Help me with ferret rescue

OK this started Tuesday 5-12-09

I became involved on Wednesday.

I went with my sister to her friends house, she showed us a ferret her brother had found walking down the street the day before (Tuesday).

He was all white and cute as a button! He was a little playful but seemed kind of shy. He was very sweet just not really active.

They are keeping him outside in a wire cage that was three story with a hammock and no toys :(

She said her mom does not like it and wants it to leave. I immediately begged her to let me have him. She said it was her brothers because he found it. She said she would ask him and call me and let me know. So I had my sister call her about 4 hours later. She had still not talked to him.

Then my sister informs me that he was in Oklahoma and would not be back until today!!!! :(

So I send her a message this morning with ALL the PAGES AND PAGES of information I had found about ferrets. (they were feeding him cat kibble from Wal-MArt and keeping it in 95*F heat)

So tonight I got a call from a # I don't recognize but I have to answer it (my job). I hear alot of noise like some one is at a really busy restaurant/bar ad some one speaking garbled into the phone, it sounded kinda like Spanish so I was about to hang up and then I hear "MIKE!!!!"

So I know it must be for me ;)

the noise calms down and the girl on the other end apologizes for it being noisy she is out with her family.

She asked if I still want the ferret and explains that when she read the message this morning she begged her mom and brother to bring it inside and showed them the message.

Her brother brought him in as soon as he was given the OK.

The ferret seemed weak and listless. I told her I would have to call her back in a minute.

I thought about it for a second because I knew yesterday as soon as I got him I would have to go to the vet, now he is probably near death from heat stroke and dehydration. Now I know the vet bill is going to be $$$$$ and I was not sure if I have that kind of money :(

So I talk to my wife for all of three seconds and we decided to get the ferret. I called her back and she said the only thing was is her brother spend $60 on the ferret for some supplies that he had seen other people with that have ferrets. I quickly agreed to pay what ever it takes.

Now for the real stresser....

I have never held a ferret much less owned one. All of my worldly knowledge of ferretry has been learned in the past 24HR...

I do have some money to pay the vet with (I just don't know what my cut off is) How do I say that this precious fuzz-butt is not worth that amount of money????

I know that I know very little about these guys, but with your help I might be able to save this little guy..

Help please help....

I am confused after the vet....

Mike

You can follow this event/rescue on twitter.com search for Mrepenning my avatar is the same as on here.... Please send me tips on twitter if you can as I have my twitter account on my iPhone

They are hearty little fellas, so long as he had some shade while in that heat. just take him to the vet for a general check-up, he's probably just dehydrated, and he may need his shots.

They are great pets that NEED LOTS of attention, but once litter trained, you'll have a blast with him. :), get him lots of play toys

First stop in the morning is the vet next stop is the "toy store"!

I am so worried about this little guy. It sounds to me (from what I can find out) like a moderate case of heatstroke/dehydration.

He did have shade and plenty of water to drink.

I am hoping for the best but mentally planning for the worst. I love all animals and hate to see them hurt especially if it could have been avoided. I just want to be able to think about it clear headed.

I know a few people who keep their ferrets in outside cages and they do well, especially with our heat & humidity down here.

Your new best friend should be ok, my only worry is him having been on his own for a bit before he was found.

Mike do mention to the vet that this is an abandoned animal that was wandering alone, then was being kept in less than great conditions so you've taken it in. Some vet clinics do offer discounts when people step up to help like this and suddenly incur unplanned for vet costs. Also most clinics will work on payment plans and some have discretionary funds that have been donated to the clinic to help people with vet costs. All you have to do is ask, you may be surprised what can be done to help with any vet bills this poor thing may need.

You'd think this must have been a ferret either loose only a short time or very well socialized at some point since it was caught so easily out in the open like that. Sick animals though can also be more easily caught so do be careful of that until it's been vet checked just to be on the safe side.

Good for you guys for taking it in. :)

I am going to Wal-MArt and getting a pet carrier and some pediolyte.

Thanks for the suggestions. Work is pressing me to come in but I just don't think I can wait any longer to get this guy, he has already been through enough because some one else didn't know how to take care of him, even though they did the best they could they had no research and no help on the rescue. Hopefully I can make this happen the way we all want it to.

Thanks for the support and help.

You should probably try to get the vet to give him subq hydration if he is dehydrated. These guys will go fast if not hydrated properly. The vet would just squeeze a big ol' ball of fluids around his shoulder blade which will keep him hydrated.

Hi. I have two ferrets and they were rescues.... Kinda. They were well maintained they just needed a home. The one thing that's different about them than other animals is that they can contract the flu or other cold type illnesses and pass them on to humans and we can pass it on to them. When my kids got sick, so did my ferrets. Snoopy seemed to get it pretty bad and had the same symptoms that you are talking about. He dropped weight and everything. The illness ran its course and now he's fine. The little bugger won't stay out of crap!!!! LOL I wouldn't be too concerned but a trip to the vet is probably a good idea considering how you found him. Good luck.

By the way, here's a picture of Snoopy and Cocoa.
http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k2...r/IMG00044.jpg

I got him picked up by 7AM.

I got called into work and a ferret rescue didn't warrant me getting out of work...

I am just now getting home and it is 9:30pm

He was doing great when I got him this morning he had plenty of water and I talked to her brother (the one who actually took care of him) and he said that he didn't see any of the behavior I listed for heat stroke. I really wanted to take him to the vet today but I had a huge project that needed to be finished :(

He is SUPER active and has been drinking and eating...

He has pooped several times and it looks like normal poop.
I did go buy him a 4 level ferret home a new hammock, some toys, ferrevite, a leash, and a new bowl.

He has two dots tattooed on his right ear, I have read that marshal tattoos the right ear.

He is on Marshals right now as that is what they were feeding him, I am hoping to change over to a whole raw diet, but that is a challenge for another day.

He is doing very well seems very alert, we went for a walk and he was pulling pretty hard and was very very excited to be out and about.

I gave him a water bath as he was scratching quite a bit and I wanted to search for fleas just to be sure.

I do not think he is very old he is about 12" long and maybe about 1LB? I am going to try to weigh him I just need some cooperation.

I will keep you guys updated as I can.

Mike

Great to hear he is doing better Mike :gj:

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I will keep you guys updated as I can.

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And next time with your update don't forget some pictures of your new fuzz ball ;)

We went to the vet today and I weighed him properlly instead of by guessing ;)

He is 2LB 1.6OZ

The vet said he looked very good and they trimmed his nails and gave him his shots.

I was pretty excited, but this evening he is being VERY lethargic. He is sleeping alot and he does not wake up well. I picked him up by his harness gave him a little jiggle set him down and he still didn't wake up.

If he wasn't warm and breathing then I would have thought he was dead :(

He woke up shortly after he got set down.

I am hopeful I am just worried about him. He does not want to eat, just snuggle up in his fleece blanket and hammock and sleep.

Is this normal after getting rabies and distemper shots?

I am going to get him out in a minute and see how he acts.

Mike

Dude, i've already said it but I think it's awesome that you took the little guy in. Ferrets are super cool and lots of fun. Good luck man!

That's cool that you rescued him Mike!!! I hope everything works out for you and him!!! If you don't mind me asking: What is a Marshall tattoo :confused:

Grape Pediolyte (I don't think I have spelled this the same twice ;)
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-09032.jpg

Every one likes the new digs
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-09033.jpg

Some one loves the new digs ;)
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-09034.jpg

Shiner found him somethin
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-09035.jpg

New Blanket
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-09037.jpg

Chillin with Mama
http://i371.photobucket.com/albums/o...5-16-09039.jpg

That is all I got for right now.

I'll post more as I have them :)

Mike

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Originally Posted by Boanerges

That's cool that you rescued him Mike!!! I hope everything works out for you and him!!! If you don't mind me asking: What is a Marshall tattoo :confused:

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I could be wrong (if I am some one please correct me)

Marshal tattoos the right ear of the ferrets that they produce.

My ferret has two dots tattooed in his ear.

Mike

After a quick search....

http://www.craftycreatures.com/forfe...a/tattoos.html

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Originally Posted by hoax

I could be wrong (if I am some one please correct me)

Marshal tattoos the right ear of the ferrets that they produce.

My ferret has two dots tattooed in his ear.

Mike

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Marshall is the main breeder of ferrets, and they do tattoo the ear to note that it has been spayed/neutered and de-scented. We have 2 and they both have them also. (our male actually looks a lot like your new lil guy...)

Quote:

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Originally Posted by hoax

We went to the vet today and I weighed him properlly instead of by guessing ;)

He is 2LB 1.6OZ

The vet said he looked very good and they trimmed his nails and gave him his shots.

I was pretty excited, but this evening he is being VERY lethargic. He is sleeping alot and he does not wake up well. I picked him up by his harness gave him a little jiggle set him down and he still didn't wake up.

If he wasn't warm and breathing then I would have thought he was dead :(

He woke up shortly after he got set down.

I am hopeful I am just worried about him. He does not want to eat, just snuggle up in his fleece blanket and hammock and sleep.

Is this normal after getting rabies and distemper shots?

I am going to get him out in a minute and see how he acts.

Mike

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It sounds like it is caused by the vaccines. It tends to lower their immune system a little bit when they are vaccinated, so they do tend to get a little bit sleepy and just want to lay around. Another thing to note is that he got his distemper and rabies on the same day. Some ferrets can handle them fine, but my ferret vet recommends splitting them up to make it easier on their little systems. He should be fine in the next day or so, if not, call your vet and let them know what is happening. Maybe next time you talk to or visit the vet, have them make a note in his record that he is sensitive so they split them up next year and that should fix the problem. I hope this helps, Please continue to post more pics as he settles into his new home and thank you for taking him out of the situation he was in and rescuing!!!

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Originally Posted by thatkindofgirl

Marshall is the main breeder of ferrets, and they do tattoo the ear to note that it has been spayed/neutered and de-scented. We have 2 and they both have them also. (our male actually looks a lot like your new lil guy...)

It sounds like it is caused by the vaccines. It tends to lower their immune system a little bit when they are vaccinated, so they do tend to get a little bit sleepy and just want to lay around. Another thing to note is that he got his distemper and rabies on the same day. Some ferrets can handle them fine, but my ferret vet recommends splitting them up to make it easier on their little systems. He should be fine in the next day or so, if not, call your vet and let them know what is happening. Maybe next time you talk to or visit the vet, have them make a note in his record that he is sensitive so they split them up next year and that should fix the problem. I hope this helps, Please continue to post more pics as he settles into his new home and thank you for taking him out of the situation he was in and rescuing!!!

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I love yalls ferrets. Your boy looks HUGE, but that just might be the pictures I have seen.

Mike

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Originally Posted by hoax

I love yalls ferrets. Your boy looks HUGE, but that just might be the pictures I have seen.

Mike

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Oh, it's definitely not a camera trick in any way, shape, or form.... The male is a full pound heavier than the girl.. He is such a slug too, he cracks me up. She is always on the run and has too many places to go all at once and never has time to cuddle up when she is out of the cage...

I hope you're little one perks up soon, and gets back to normal....

What a beautiful silver you have there! Congratulations on your new family member, you're making me very jealous.

I had quite a few ferrets a few years ago, but certain events forced me to have to find them a (great) new home, and I miss them SO much. Husband and I have promised ourselves as soon as our house is built, we will get more.

I noted your concern about the sleeping thing. The vaccines certainly could have caused this, as noted above by someone else, but I've also had a couple ferrets who just slept like that! They would sleep SO deep I could pick them up and they'd be "dead" asleep and not budge. This came in handy come nail clipping time, I tell you! It was completely normal, just how they were.

I also wouldn't leave his harness on in the cage; ferrets are notorious for getting into as much trouble as possible! I had little snap collars with bells that mine wore during "out" time, which was around 4-5 hours a day, but nothing in the cage itself.

I don't see a litterbox in the cage? Maybe I just can't see it or it was out for cleaning. They poop constantly it seems, and love corners. When he's out playing, the best thing is to put more litterboxes in the corners of his play area. To train mine, I would wake them up, then set them in the litterbox. They always go after waking up, and then they got a treat. The smarter ones would even run over and pretend to go just to get a goody. They also were not allowed out intil they had done their business. Don't use clumping litter, as ferts will often dig in or even eat their litter. I find pelleted litter to be the best.

To keep down smell, scoop the litter box every day. Scrub it out once a week. Wash the ferret bedding once a week as well, you'll find that helps elimenate most of the smells. Do NOT bathe him often. That just makes him smell more! I almost NEVER bathed my ferrets, except for the times they got into peanut butter or something equally messy. Some people swear by using chinchilla dust to let them play in on occasion. I used play sand, buried toys in it, and let them go to town. It worked way better than water and soap!

I highly recommend "Ferrets for Dummies." Best book on the subject, I wouldn't part with mine for the world.

If you need anything else, I'll try to keep an eye on this topic, and I can see there are several other great ferret lovers on here too!

Congrats again on your little rescue and I can't wait to see more! Silvers are absolutely my favorite.

Congrats on the new fuzzbutt. They are quite the handful at times. Yes, the tattoo is a Marshall tattoo as someone has already confirmed.

The sleeping thing is just another ferret thing. Only one of mine does it. He will lay in the bottom of the cage (dunno why he chooses the bottom) and when I go in, everyone is up and about, wanting to come out and he just lays there. I go to pick him up and he's limp. It scared me to death the first time, but then I realized it is just how he sleeps.

If you are going to feed him kibble, please, please, please, get him a good brand. Most commercial ferret foods are crap. Evo cat food is good. I personally feed mine a raw diet. If you want any information on this, feel free to send me a message with any questions you have.

I would also recommend getting him a friend. While ferrets can and will bond with their humans, nothing beats another rough and tough ferret to roll around the floor with. I wouldn't seperate my four for anything. They are bonded.

I plan on feeding a mix of wellness kitten hard and wet and raw when I get ferrets again. I agree that most ferret kibble is CRAP. For sure don't use the Marshall's food, that stuff is awful.

Good food helps keep down the smell as well, just ask my doggies and kitties. :) They get raw.

He is on that Marshalls crap!

I am trying to change him over to a meat only diet. He is stuck on that marshalls. I tried giving him Chicken baby food with ferrevite and he wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole! I even tried putting in on his nose and under his lip to let him taste it and that just upset him :(

Mike

You know, EVO just came out with a Ferret diet. www.petfooddirect.com

Looks very high quality from the ingredients.

Definitely get a fecal checked, especially since he was outside eating who knows what.

Oooh, did they? I haven't kept up with new ferret foods, shame shame on me. I'll check that out.

As for getting him to learn a new food, do the old "add a little more to his old food" each day. He'll learn soon enough how tasty it is; just keep rubbing a bit on his nose too, ferrets imprint on food by scent so that's why he's being picky.

I also second having a fecal done, goodness knows what little things he has in his guts right now; did the vet do that while you were there?

You know what they did not do a fecal! I should have know enough to ask!

I am new to ferrets but not new to mammals! Gah I can't believe I didn't have a fecal done!

Mike

For shaaaaaaaame.

No, just kidding! I'm sure you'll get it done ASAP. :)

How is everything going?

As far as getting him to eat raw, it is definitely a process. One way we got Twitch, our first ferret, to eat raw was to put chicken baby food on your finger and stick your finger in their mouth. Be careful not to let them bite you. Once mine realized how yummy the baby food tasted, she went right to it. You could also try the other baby food meats if yours just doesn't like chicken. A raw diet is the best kind of food you could ever give your ferret.

You could also try dipping the kibble pieces in the baby food and see it that will work. We got Twitch to eat raw chicken that way. I keep kibble on hand for emergencies (run out of raw and can't get to the store or haven't gotten paid yet) and whenever I give them the kibble, Twitch and Kale look at me like I'm crazy. Its like "Alright, Mom. Haha, very funny. Now gimme the chicken leg!" They love chicken legs and wings. The only problem is Kale screams when he doesn't get his fair share (which he thinks is all of it!).

How funny! I wasn't doing raw back when I had my ferrets, but do it now and will hopefully get my future fuzzies to eat raw along with our other pets.

Raw is the greatest for meat eating pets. I really want to get my cats and dog on raw. I did it for a month once when I had some extra money and they were all so happy and healthy (cat's teeth problems went away and weights stabilized).

www.holisticferret.proboards.com is a great forum for ferrets.

Thanks, I'll bookmark that forum!

I definetely agree with you, raw is the way to go for my pets! They are doing wonderful on it, especially my little Luna who has terrible allergies. I couldn't be happier with how its going!