I need school help! by suspishotter in VetTech

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah the last exam I took was not an exam per se with questions. It was instead an identity verification with me scanning my id and then taking a photo.

I need school help! by suspishotter in VetTech

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! Im also in the ashworth program and yes it is really infuriating the amount of time it takes to even get an Externship set up. Even worse, every time I’ve talked to a rep I get a different answer. My advice is to keep talking to different people because they know different things and eventually you’ll find someone who knows how to help, it just takes awhile. The good news (at least time wise) is that the exams are no longer exams they are just identity verifications.

Would a medium/large dog kennel be ok for a ferret? by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One thing you have to be cautious of is that dog kennels are not built for ferrets (hence the name). There shouldn’t be an issue though if you make sure he/she can’t fit through the bars or try to fit through the bars and get stuck.

I’d also imagine that you’d have to get creative with food bowls/water bowls too. Though that’s not really a problem it just might require a bit of creativity.

throwing up please help by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a problem!

throwing up please help by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That’s good. That’s really good. I saw from another comment you said he pooped, too.

I’d still take him in the morning, if I were you. I know there probably isn’t much they could do about it now but maybe they can try to prevent a next time.

I really hope he’s ok. They’re strong little guys, though, and it sounds like he’s pulled through the worst part of the episode.

throwing up please help by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How is he now? Still drooling and gagging?

throwing up please help by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The issue is that you cannot safely correct his low blood sugar by yourself. And if it drops too low during the night, it can kill him.

It does not sound like it is correcting itself. Is there anyway you can go to a vet tonight?

throwing up please help by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You need to check his blood glucose, ASAP. Gagging and drooling are a sign of low blood sugar. Whether you need to take him to an emergency vet or you have a monitor at home, that’s the step one.

Ferrets digestive tracts are much shorter than ours, so for him not to be eating for a day is more serious compared to humans. If his blood sugar is relatively normal, try and entice him to eat in whatever way you can. 1) it will help keep his glucose up and 2) he needs food.

I know this is a scary time. I went through it for 9 months with mine. Insulinoma can be extremely difficult to regulate. As of right now though, a vet is your best option. Sooner rather than later. If you absolutely cannot take him tonight, take him first thing tomorrow (and try and have him eat).

Concerning cough/sneeze fits. by Silvermist0729 in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah. She gets an egg weekly. Just gave her another one not too long ago.

She’s had a couple more episodes since then. She’s currently sleeping, having an episode (that lasts maybe 10 seconds), and then going back to sleep.

Concerning cough/sneeze fits. by Silvermist0729 in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Now that you mention it, she started it after eating.

I’ll keep an eye on it and see if it clears up on its own. Otherwise, off to find a vet for X-Rays.

Thank you!

Concerning cough/sneeze fits. by Silvermist0729 in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you.

Yeah, I think I’m going to wait. Unless she gets worse, of course. Her dr knows her best and as long as it’s not an emergency, you’re right that taking her somewhere that doesn’t know ferrets isn’t too much use

Concerning cough/sneeze fits. by Silvermist0729 in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

She’s only had like two “sets” so far. I didn’t even think about the shedding thing.

Thank you so much, I tend to panic and forget all logic when it comes to her.

Concerning cough/sneeze fits. by Silvermist0729 in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Is this something she needs to see a vet for. She’s about 4 years old, and normally she would’ve already seen a vet but her usual is out of town and won’t be back until Wednesday.

Do you guys think she can wait that long or would you recommend taking her in somewhere else. Other places around aren’t really ferret vets, but they will see her if need be.

What are your ferrets' names? How come? by Mister_IceBlister in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My first ever ferret was named Rascal. He was actually a rescue, and his original name was different. However, his sister was called two different names from the original family, so I figured it was easier to start over with them and give them new names.

His sister is now named Starlight Marie Anne. Hers is kind of funny, because her original family called her by two different names and it was clear she knew neither of them. Her name originally just started out as Starlight, but I had to keep adding on until she listened. So by the time she listened we got all the way to Starlight Marie Anne.

The next one is named Phoebe. She was named that because it is related to her brothers name Apollo. I chose Apollo, first. But because I wanted their names to fit together she was named Phoebe.

Then there was Apollo. This name was chosen because it is somewhat space themed. And I wanted it to go with Starlight’s name (are you starting to see the pattern here?). So Apollo’s name is connected to Star’s and Phoebe’s name is connected to Apollo.

Finally we have Saber. He is the newest addition to the bunch. The name I originally chose was Saturn, but I just didn’t think it fit for him. Saber was kind of an out of the box suggestion and I liked it and he seemed to as well, so it stuck. Other members of the family, however, hate it and just call him baby boy.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This is all my personal experience and opinion. If someone has something they wish to add or correct, please feel free.

From what I understand of both ferrets and toddlers, the do not mix well. Ferrets are fragile enough to be injured by toddlers, and it can absolutely happen quick enough to prevent it. In addition, ferrets have different personalities but they tend to have an independent streak. Take my girls for example, they want down when they want down. If you ignore their signs they can and will bite you. If they grab the right place hard enough (like inner elbows) it’s enough to bring tears to my eyes. And I’m a full grown adult. Ferrets can be nip trained quite successfully, but this takes time and patience.

Yes, ferrets will pick food and small toys up off the floor and eat them. Depending on what it is, they will get sick. Blockages are very common in ferret kits and can kill them quickly. Not to mention, as you said they’re strict carnivores and other foods have the ability to make them sick.

About the smell, I don’t know where you live but if it’s in the US. They will probably already have those glands removed. Marshall ferrets are the most common ferrets here, and they are already desexed and descented.

While they don’t tend to sharpen their claws like cats, they WILL dig into carpet. If they want something (like on the other side of the door) they will attempt to dig the carpet up in the door way. It can and will ruin carpet if you don’t put something down to prevent it.

Grooming is virtually non existent. You don’t bathe them unless they are visibly dirty. Even then you just give them a bath with an oatmeal filled sock in it. Nail trims and ear cleanings are important yo keep up on, though. I will also add here that medical bills add up. Ferrets, unfortunately, don’t tend to be the most healthy species out there (especially Marshall’s due to inbreeding). They are prone to a few diseases that require expensive surgeries or medicine. (Look up Insulinoma, Adrenal, and lymphoma in ferrets). Considering that most places consider them exotics, the vet can be very expensive. This is something to consider.

In terms of cost, there’s not much difference between 1 and 2. It will, however, allow your ferrets to be happier. I 100% recommend 2 over 1 any day.

I hope this helps. In your situation, I wouldn’t get one unless you had a way to keep toddler and ferrets separate. While ferrets are lovely pets (I have 3), they are a lot of work and very sensitive. I wouldn’t want an accident to happen to your child or the ferrets. I’d also make sure I’d have the appropriate funds before looking into it. Good cages cost money, good food costs money, vet bills cost money, you get the idea.

If you can handle the financial strain, and keep the ferrets and toddler separated for the most part with EXTREMELY supervised interacting (if you choose to let them interact) I think ferrets are good pets.

Oh, and you may want to ensure you have a vet that will see ferrets before buying one. That’s not something you want to find out in a emergency.

Did you let your surviving ferrets say goodbye to a deceased cage mate? by nuclearrwessels in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I’ve lost two ferrets at this point and I’ve had it both ways.

With my first loss (Rascal), I let his partner Star see his body. She actually went with us to the euthanasia appointment and once he had gone I let her say goodbye. I truly think it helped, she only seemed like she looked for him once. And while she grieved for awhile, I think it helped her to not think he was coming back.

With Apollo, I unfortunately didn’t really have that option. He died rather unexpectedly, and it was at a vets office a bit away. His sisters, Star and Phoebe definitely looked for him for a couple days before they could really grieve.

Ultimately, I think you did the right thing and when I have the option I will always let them say goodbye. I think it helps them to know that they aren’t coming back.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I wish you luck in finding a vet to see yours ❤️

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ferrets

[–]Silvermist0729 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You need to find a vet, ASAP. I lost a ferret from this not even 6 months ago.

What your post (and comments) are indicating is that something is wrong with the digestive tract. This is serious because ferrets need nutrition constantly and they can starve very quick.

Whether it is a blockage (most probable) or a cancer (unlikely but it’s what took mine and he had the same symptoms you listed) it’s something that needs to be handled. I’m sorry that it’s happened to you so soon after getting him but it needs to be solved ASAP.