Help with a new rescue!

[musicalKeyes]

Well, my neighbor walked over this evening with a little ferrety bundle for me Early today, her neighbors little dog had cornered it but he thought it was a possum and it ran off, and later on it walked right up to them while they were sitting outside. This poor little thing has either been outside for a very long time or very neglected and let go, and she's been out in the horrible thunderstorms we've been having . She's skinny, her ears are scabby, and her eyes and nose are runny, and she's probably full of bugs too. Needless to say, she'll be going to the vet first thing in the morning.

This isn't the first ferret I've ever owned and we're going to try to find the previous owner first (but probably not very hard....), but it's been a really long time.

What's a good kibble for them? There's so many out today. And for those of you that feed live diets, what exactly does that entail?

She'll be going to the vet tomorrow for a good checkup and I'll put some pictures up tomorrow along with the vet's diagnosis. I'm so excited! I've really missed having ferrets.

[BuckeyeBalls]

Iv always liked ferrets at pet stores but i hear their nasty and stinky ?

[musicalKeyes]

I would definitely say they have a very uh, distinct smell. But honestly, once you get used to it, it's not that bad. All the one's I've had are sweethearts, including this one, but I've been bit by one and it's much less pleasant than their smell. Just about as bad as a rat bit. But they're very intelligent and can learn not to bite pretty easily with some patience and sour apple spray. But on the whole, they are sweet little things.

[BuckeyeBalls]

I would definitely say they have a very uh, distinct smell. But honestly, once you get used to it, it's not that bad. All the one's I've had are sweethearts, including this one, but I've been bit by one and it's much less pleasant than their smell. Just about as bad as a rat bit. But they're very intelligent and can learn not to bite pretty easily with some patience and sour apple spray. But on the whole, they are sweet little things.

Yea i like em but if it started to smell id be in deep crap

[musicalKeyes]

Yea i like em but if it started to smell id be in deep crap

Haha, yeah, luckily my family's cool with it

[GoingPostal]

8 in 1 ultimate (their other kinds suck), Evo ferret/cat, Zupreem, Dr Foster and Smith make two ferret foods that are decent.

[bsash]

My mom used to breed ferrets, now she just owns them as pets. She has a good 40 years of experience with them, but she swears by the 8-in-1 diet.

[musicalKeyes]

I'll definitely look into the 8 in 1, thanks. He went to the vet today, and it went really well. He's got some ear mites and is skinny, and has to be in quarantine for two or three months, but otherwise he's pretty healthy.

[Jay_Bunny]

I have experience with ferrets on raw and whole prey diets. I don't use any kibble (unless for emergency when I have run out of raw food and have not gone to the store for more) or canned foods.

If you have a scale, weigh the ferret. (and possibly get some pictures)

If you would like to get the little girl/boy on a raw/whole prey diet, feel free to PM me with any questions.

[musicalKeyes]

I finally got around to taking picture of the little rascal. Not great ones, but here they are:




He's around a year and a half old and a little over two pounds, but the vet said he should be closer to three when he's gained his weight back.
He's very relaxed and didn't mind the drops in his ears or his bath at all, and he looks much better clean. I should get a call from my vet soon on how long his quarantine should be. Ferrets don't display rabies like cats and dogs do, so it could be several months, at least two. Luckily he was only out a week or two, or his chances of having it would be much higher. So I'll be the only one holding him during that time, to cut down on his likelihood of biting anyone, since if he does he has to be put down and checked for rabies. I'm considering getting the preventative shot, since that seems like a much better alternative to killing him, and they don't put them in your stomach anymore. Anyone know how expensive they are?

Edit:
We named him Jack When I was younger we had two, Jack and Twinkle, and due to some horrible circumstances had to give them to a ferret rescue. Where we found out that Jack was actually a girl. (I was five at the time, and wasn't really concerned with that, hahaha) So, I named him Jack, since he's definitely a boy this time. Probably shouldn't have named him until we're sure no one claims him....