Serious Rescue Case (Please Give Advice!!)

Tara_Richelle · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 24

My next door neighbor kid came over today and was asking if I wanted to take some ferrets off his hands. Normally I’m not fond of ferrets but he said they were in really bad condition. This kid comes from a really rough family. He has a step dad that treats him like hell. And he won’t let him keep the ferrets in the house. So when I went over there to see the ferrets, the were shut inside a small garage, in sweltering heat. Their water was hot. They had ants crawling in their cage and a litter box that looked like it hadn’t been changed in two weeks. They didn’t have any food. It was disgusting. I took the ferrets out and started cleaning the cage immediately. I picked up one of the females, Bandit, and noticed she was missing hair all over her stomach and her sides. Jeffrey (the neighbor kid) said that he got the ferrets from a boy who had tortured them. Bandit had been lit on fire and her tail had been cut off. He also said that they took it to a vet and the vet said the ferret had cancer but it was going away. I’m not positive what to believe, he’s only in 6th grade.. The other ferret, Fruit Loop looked to be in much better condition.. after I held her for a little while she began to move and squirm and walk around just fine. I went back to my house and got them some fresh water and food.. And I really want to take them home with me, but my mom is being stubborn about it. They need to be taken to the vet, but being 17 and not having a job that tends to be rather difficult. Plus I’m raising a Columbian black and white tegu, who takes a lot of my time and energy, breeding mice, and taking care of 4 dogs and a cat. I want to help these ferrets as soon as possible.. Any ideas on what I should do? This is really breaking my heart. I think I can get my mom to let me take them in, but what should I do after that? Please, any advice would be very appreciated. L

herp_haven · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 2:17 pm Post subject:

If you can get your mom to let them in the house, I would call around and see what vets in your area can do. Tell them the situation. Some vets are willing to help out or take the animals in and treat them. Some will try to work out payment plans with you. If you can get them try to keep them in a cool area (if your house has air conditioning that would be good). They could get heat stroke staying in a garage like that.

The one with missing fur could have been burned or it could have a skin condition from living in its own feces. Whatever you do, try your best not to separate them. They are very social animals and can go through extreme depression if they lose a friend.
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Brisamen · Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2005 2:50 pm Post subject:

Those poor animals...
I hope someone be it you or someone else can help them to a better live.
Ferrets are such fun and sweet animals.
Ferrets deffenitaly can't take heat for to long. Some icewater in sodabottles will help them to cool down if they can't be in the house but your mom is oking to maybe a enclosure in the garden. Just make the cage (in or outside the house) ferret proof cause ferrets are masters in escaping. If thee head maybe could fit, hes already gone

Next thing the furr of the first one. This could also be a problem with a gland of wich I can't find the english name (dutch name is schild klier). But it could also be stress.
Ferrets are very quick stressed out! They can die from stress. The easiers way to see if they have to much stress is to look at their stool. If this is green then this ferret has had to much stress. If it keeps stressed like that it will die.
The furr could also be parasites in which case the ferret will go nuts scratching itself.
Oh and if one is female I hope she has been serilised else she will go in heat and die if she wont get pregnant...
And btw, a sterilised ferret is a much better smelling ferret

Any more questions your welkom to ask and I'll do my best to answer them.

Edit: About food, dont feed it any greens/grains or milk products. Their digestive system can't take it. Kat food is as close as to what they need to eat, Better is to give them mice and chicks or one of the better cat food like eukaneube (if you can buy that over there) If the ferrets have had a longer period of not enough food maybe waltham (here you can only buy it at the vet) is a good way to get them back to a better weight.
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Tara_Richelle · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 24

Thanks so much.
I've been upset and crying.. I'm emotional when it comes to animals. I'm heading over there right now to get the ferrets. My parents said I could keep them and take care of them and get them in better health and hold on to them until I can find them a home. The boy told me that they are older ferrets, he thinks around nine years. But I'm hurrying over there to get them, so I can bring them inside. Poor miserable things

I'll take pictures of Bandit, so you can have a look at her belly as well.

And thanks a ton, great idea about the vets. I'm going to call around and see what I can do. Theres a pet haven that might also help me out with a vet bill. Thanks again

Also, what should I use to wash the ferrets in? They def. need a bath, and i'm very unaware of ferret needs.

punky · Member Joined: Apr 13, 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Austin, TX

just curious tara, but where do you live at?

as far as washing them, i would use a ferret specific shampoo, and only use a little. mostly mild water, so that if her belly is irritated the soap won't hurt too much.

normally i actually use dish soap because it is good for fleas (my ferrets don't have fleas, but just as a preventative) and is actually good for cats and dogs. but since this is a different case i would go with a ferret shampoo. you can get it at any petsmart or other petstore
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1.0.1-tegus 0.0.1-iguana 0.0.1-beardie 0.1-RTB 0.0.1 Kingsnake 0.1-potbellied pig 3.2-cats 2.1-dogs 1.1-ferrets 0.1-Quaker 2.1-Zebra finches 1.1 conures 0.1-rat 0.0.1-emperor scorpion

Tara_Richelle · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 24

I live down by gulf shores, alabama.. right on the coast
And thanks, I'll be extra careful bathing bandit. I'm going to get them new food.. shampoo..etc.. toys everything they need

*Update

I'm so happy! I've got the ferrets, and they are so so happy. They've been exploring my room, and they've drank a ton of water and they've got their bellies full. I've thoroughly cleaned their cage, and their sleep house thing they have. They are thrilled to be inside. And these are the loviest creatures i've ever owned. They are the sweetest thing, my mom adores them. I'm pretty sure this will be their permanent home

punky · Member Joined: Apr 13, 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Austin, TX

awesome! great to hear!!
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1.0.1-tegus 0.0.1-iguana 0.0.1-beardie 0.1-RTB 0.0.1 Kingsnake 0.1-potbellied pig 3.2-cats 2.1-dogs 1.1-ferrets 0.1-Quaker 2.1-Zebra finches 1.1 conures 0.1-rat 0.0.1-emperor scorpion

Tara_Richelle · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 24

Me and the ferrets had a lovely night

They've adapted to my room quite nicely. They've explored every crevice and corner of my room, and they've stashed ferret food and treats in god knows how many places. I found a couple pieces under my pillow

They are spoiled now and hate to be in their cage. But gosh, they are so active and they are eating and drinking so good. I'm really happy these babies are home with me

Heres some pictures

On the left is Ms. Fruit Loop and on the right is Ms. Bandit

Heres Bandits tummy and feet, where you can tell she's been burned.

Fruit Loop taking a tiny break from room roaming and goodie stashing

And here's Bandit curled up sleeping with the teddy bear I gave her

Yep, so theres my new babies

Teiidae · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 9:32 am Post subject:

I'm not a big fan of ferrets, however I can see a cute side to them - I applaud you with the rescue, and I'm sure you will take good care of them as they have a good home and caring keeper now - Best of luck

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Brisamen · Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2005 10:27 am Post subject:

Awww such cuties!
How can anyone treath them like they have.
Good thing they have found a good home now. And maybe even a perminent one?!
Btw 9 is really old for a ferret so I think they might be a little younger

I think you can see ones they have settled down a bit. If they are really active (hyper adhd comes to mind here) and it takes them atleased some 2 hours to get tired they might be still young ones. If they need an hour and then seak some nice place to sleep they are older. Maybe a vet can tell by their teeth?

Oh to have them go wild: buy some plumming pipes where they can run trough (they should be able to turn in them)
They'll go NUTS

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0.1.0 Bouvier des flandres

punky · Member Joined: Apr 13, 2005 Posts: 62 Location: Austin, TX

those guys actually look very young to me... unless they just weren't fed a lot and their growth stunted or something like that. i have one that is only a year old that is much bigger than them.

poor bandit! have you called a vet to find out what kind of cream or whatever to put on it?
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1.0.1-tegus 0.0.1-iguana 0.0.1-beardie 0.1-RTB 0.0.1 Kingsnake 0.1-potbellied pig 3.2-cats 2.1-dogs 1.1-ferrets 0.1-Quaker 2.1-Zebra finches 1.1 conures 0.1-rat 0.0.1-emperor scorpion

Tara_Richelle · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 24

I definately wouldn't be surprised if they are alot younger, the people really had no clue about them

It's a shame.

Fruit Loop can run around playing for a good two hours and not be tired at all. She is full of energy. Bandit has been playing alot too, but considering her condition she gets tired alot easier. They have had such healthy appetites, and they are happy to have real ferret food again. I can't wait to get some weight on them.

They are going to our vet Monday to get checked out

My family has fallen in love with them. And they are such hams

they love the attention!

Tara_Richelle · Member Joined: Jul 22, 2005 Posts: 24

Brisamen · Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2005 8:53 am Post subject: