Kindness Matters Ferret Rescue, Acworth GA

20/11/2024

Dig boxes - If you have a dig box for your ferret, make the digging material at least 3” deep, so they can dig and not hit bottom. They may lose interest if they can get to the bottom or if the container isn't big enough. Have a lid with a hole in it or a container deep enough they can dig and throw stuff without it making much of a mess. Where you place the container makes a difference too. If the ferret won't play in it, try moving it to a different spot. (This goes for anything you get for your ferrets.)

You can use rice, beans, pasta, starch peanuts, plastic balls, plastic eggs, plastic spoons, straws, marbles, glass pebbles, puzzle pieces, dirt, sand, air pillows, crumpled paper, etc. for dig boxes. In my experience, they like sand and dirt best. Have something around it to collect the mess. You can also bury toys or treats in the dig material.

They like the noise from pasta. There's a slight chance of weevils with pasta. Beans are great too. At the rescue, the ferrets seem to use beans as a litter box more than other materials and pasta the least. I add plastic eggs or balls on top of the dig material to deter them from going potty. Go through all of it regularly to dip out any accidents, clean the sides and lid of the tub and take out any dig material that’s dirty.

When the ferret’s playing in the dig box, people have a tendency to pick up the dig material and pour it over the ferret. This is fine and good stimulation, except for rice, sand and dirt! DO NOT pick up and pour rice, sand or dirt over a ferret. When digging, the ferret can close its eyes and flatten its ears and nose to keep material from getting in. If you pour rice, dirt or sand over it, there’s a chance of it getting in the nose or ears. I had a ferret surrendered with rice in its nose from this.

A heavy tub of digging material should either be right against the wall, with no crawl space beside it, or at least two inches away from the wall. If there is a small space, a ferret can try to get through and may get stuck because the tub is heavy and it can't move it. THIS CAN RESULT IN DEATH!

20/11/2024

There is a woman who sends an order every month of five bags of Stella & Chewy's, Wysong Ferret Epigen, Vital Essentials rabbit bites, salmon oil, and bleach tablets. I can't find her name anywhere. I and the ferrets are beyond grateful. They love the freeze dried raw foods and this allows me to feed it to them more frequently. I do need to get the word to her though, that I use Wysong Epigen Digestive Support and not the regular Epigen.

19/11/2024

Thanks to Maria Vaughn for sending leather wipes and cleaner, as well as some caramel popcorn for me. The ferrets are always getting on the leather furniture!

Thanks to Marlene Middleton Blackburn, Jessica Lindner and Katrina Weicht for their donations as well!

Thanks to whomever sent laundry detergent sheets, Fels Naptha stain remover bars, 32 oz. salmon oil and 8 oz. Stella & Chewy's.

19/11/2024

Many thanks to Samantha Cole. She ordered a neck massager for me and Fels Naptha stain remover bars. I carry a lot of my stress in my shoulders and this should help a lot. The Fels Naptha stain remover bars are the best stain remover we've found. It doesn't remove all oil, but it works great on everything else.

19/11/2024

I posted last week and yesterday about May because she has non-stop itching. The vet diagnosed her with hyperestesia brought on by an underlying medical issue. She's had treatment for adrenal disease-melatonin and Suprelorin implants and Lupron injections.

I have hyperestesia. My back itches non-stop. I leave gouges in my back trying to ease the itching. It hurts to even touch any of my skin. I have to brace myself to be touched or I may scream out in pain. I must heat my clothes before dressing and sleep on blankets because cool clothing and sheets hurt my skin too much. Taking a shower or bath is excruciating from the water or cool air hitting the skin. I know what this ferret is going through. I wouldn't wish this on anyone or anything.

Giving her oatmeal baths, salmon oil, supplements, antihistamines, etc. has no effect on her. This is not a skin issue. It's a nerve issue. We're trying Gabapentin and then a treatment for Cushings disease. The vet's researching this. There just aren't many options.

If we can't find something that works, I'm not going to let her continue to live in this misery. I don't have a choice for myself but I do for her. The bottom line is an animal should not be made to live in misery because we humans don't like the thought of them being euthanized. She has had no enjoyment of life for about six months because of this. I'm trying these last things and then she won't suffer any more.

19/11/2024

It's $2 Tuesday! Small amounts add up! Today we're fund raising for yesterday's vet visit for Smudge, Willis and May. Please share!
CashApp $kmferret, VenMo -Whorley (0070), Zelle or Paypal to [email protected], Google Pay [email protected], check to 4233 Zephyrhills Dr NW, Acworth GA 30101, or rescue vet 770-642-1282.

19/11/2024

Smudge was chilling in the carrier at Hollyberry Animal Hospital today. He's been chewing on his food bowls a lot when eating. Some ferrets do this just to do it. Sometimes it can be a way of showing pain or discomfort. Since he was doing it a lot, I had him checked out. The vet said he has arthritis in his back and she feels the discomfort is what's causing him to chew on the bowls so much. We're starting him on Gabapentin, which is a pain medicine and anti-inflammatory. Fingers crossed that this helps him. There is no recovery, just keeping him comfortable.

Ferrets don't show pain or weakness until they're VERY sick and it should be taken care of right away. When they're at the point of showing symptoms, it means they've been sick a while. Symptoms of pain needing a vet visit include: lethargy, gnashing teeth, eyes watering, squinting eyes, limping, not wanting to be touched, moving away from being rubbed or handled, unusual biting, suddenly or frequently chewing on the food dish, no appetite, sleeping more than normal, whimpering, sounds of discomfort when handled, etc.

Symptoms of serious problems, where they need to be seen as soon as reasonably possible, include: falling over, unable to walk straight, hind end weakness, diarrhea and no solid stool for more than one day, having trouble urinating, throwing up, not eating or drinking for more than a half day, drinking a lot more than normal, sudden weight loss, blood in urine, vomiting several times in one day, throwing up blood, seizures, whimpering, etc.

19/11/2024

Willis was hiding out in the carrier at Hollyberry Animal Hospital today. He started squinting his eye yesterday. He has a small ulceration on the cornea from a scratch, likely from getting into a scuffle with another ferret. This is also a gentle reminder a dog or cat can easily scratch the eye when playing and cause serious damage. If you notice anything wrong with the eyes - squinting, discharge, swelling, redness, etc., it should be seen by a vet as soon as reasonably possible. Do NOT use anything in the eyes without a vet's recommendation. Different conditions need different treatments. Serious harm can be done by using the wrong treatment or not getting treatment fast enough. Cloudiness in the eye is nearly always from cataracts, especially with an older ferret. There's nothing to be done for that. If there are no other symptoms, point out the cloudiness of the eye the next time the ferret's seen by a vet.

17/11/2024

Folks, Please bear with me. I'm really behind on responding to messages and sending thank yous. I was out of town for three days, then exhausted on returning. My regular helper was out sick for three days this week and I've been run ragged trying to take care of anything without help, as well as have doctor's appointment and such. When my body is run down, I must sleep when it tells me too or it will just get worse. I will try to catch up as soon as I physically can.

16/11/2024

16/11/2024

Welcome Sir Reginald to the rescue! He's a meerkat wannabe. He stands on his back legs whenever a human's around to try and get you to pick him up! He's very small for a male. He looks to be about two years old. He has adrenal disease (thin fur on tail and body). His owner is an attorney who lives in an apartment complex that was bought by another company. He fought with them through every legal means possible to keep the ferret but ultimately received a notice of eviction. He wasn't in a position to be able to move, so had to surrender Reginald. On the up side, this attorney offered to do any legal work I need pro bono (free)! This is a wonderful offer!

15/11/2024

Welcome this pretty girl. She was rescued with the male from a hoarding situation. She looks to be about three years old and has adrenal disease (thinning fur on tail and at shoulders). She has LOTS of energy. She runs and runs on the cat wheel. Thanks to Alisha Valedon for the suggestion of the name Bunny (for the Energizer bunny). For having her suggested name chosen, she agrees to donate at least $10 toward Bunny's care via CashApp $kmferret, VenMo -Whorley (0070), Zelle or Paypal to [email protected], Google Pay [email protected], check to 4233 Zephyrhills Dr NW, Acworth GA 30101, or rescue vet 770-642-1282.

15/11/2024

Welcome this handsome boy. He was saved from a hoarding situation. He looks to be about three years old. He has adrenal disease (thin fur on the tail and shoulders). He's a super sweet boy and is quite active. He's not at all happy about being confined to my bathroom. Thanks to Gabriele Gille for the suggestion of the name Schade for this boy. I think it's great and matches his coloring. For having his suggested name chosen, he agrees to donate at least $10 toward Schade's care.

13/11/2024

May is almost five years old. She has adrenal disease with a main symptom of pruritis (excessive itching). This is miserable for her. When she's awake, she stops and scratches every few steps. She doesn't play because she's always scratching. She constantly awakens from a deep sleep from itching.

Following is info on pruritis. We've tried all of the things suggested, including single and double melatonin implants, Suprelorin (Des) implant, combo of melatonin and Des implants, and Lupron - with no effect. Lupron is the most effective and fastest form of treatment. We've tried various antihistamines with very little effect. The only other option is adrenal surgery and there's no guarantee that will help. She's also not grown in full fur on her tail, even with all the treatments. She has a vet appointment to be checked again.

I have to decide what to do with her. She's miserable. In the past, I've had to euthanize two ferrets that have dealt with the same thing. Both ferrets went through every form of treatment, including adrenal surgery. There was no quality of life for them because they spent nearly all their hours awake scratching and couldn't sleep fitfully.

Pruritis may be caused from adrenal disease, parasites, dry skin, blowing the coat in the spring/fall, mast cell tumors (on a specific spot), food allergies, and other conditions.

Be sure the ferret doesn't have parasites. You can see fleas, not mites. It's rare for ferrets to have mites. Use a treatment of drops to the back of the neck. When the parasite feeds, it'll die. (Some mites require other medication.) Use only Frontline II, Advantage II, Revolution, Selapro, Revolt (dog or cat) or any specifically for a ferret. These are safe for a ferret. Use about one drop per pound of body weight. It won't hurt more than 2-3 drops are used.

See if the ferret has adrenal disease. Treating for this may reduce or get rid of the symptoms. (Implants-Melatonin/Suprelorin, Lupron, surgery.)

Liver and other issues may cause itching. A blood panel should be done to check for this.

Ask your vet about trying antihistamine to help. I've not found Benadryl antihistamine has any effect. Levocetirizine antihistamine has an effect for some ferrets. Liquid (concentration of 2.5 mg per 5 ml) - Give 6-7 drops daily. The ferret won't like the taste. It may be easier to give the tablet. 5 mg tablet – Crush & mix with 1.7 ml of salmon or other oil. Rub 1-2 drops on the tongue or gums. Treat 1 x day for 2 days. If not enough change, treat 2 x day for 2-3 days. If not enough change, 3-4 drops in a.m. and 1-2 drops 12 hours later. If this helps, 3-4 drops in p.m. too.

Ferret kibble should have a fat content near 20%.

Try changing the ferret's diet to see if that has an effect. Chicken is the most common allergen. Remove that from the diet first, then add that back and try to remove other foods.

You may try giving the ferret a bath with an oatmeal shampoo (recipe below), Virbac Epi-Soothe, Allergroom, or Allersearch as often as needed. This will help with dry, itchy skin and clogged pores on the tail (rat tail). It may help with pruritis. 1 cup oatmeal, 1/2 cup baking soda, 1 quart warm water. In a food processor or coffee grinder, grind oatmeal til it’s a flour. Pour into bowl. Stir in baking soda. Add warm water. Stir til well mixed. When you’re ready to use it, wet the pet. Lather with shampoo and allow to sit for 5 minutes if possible. Rinse and dry.

Use pet cream rinse after a bath to really help moisturize the skin.

Try anti-itch sprays . Cover the head when spraying.

Adding salmon oil to the diet will help with dry skin as well. Some ferrets don’t like it. Don't add it to dry kibble. It can cause the kibble to go bad if not eaten fast enough. Give in a dish, added to soup or with a syringe into the side of the mouth.

If you try all of these things and the ferret is still itching a lot, please consider whether or not the ferret has a good enough quality of life. You wouldn't want to live your life itching all the time, neither does your ferret. I've had to have two ferrets euthanized in the past because we did everything possible to stop the excessive itching and couldn't make it better. It wasn't fair to the ferret to keep it alive and make it suffer.

13/11/2024

This past Sunday, volunteer Amanda Muellemann was carrying a box down the stairs and missed the bottom step. She tried to save the box and not herself and fell on her knee. She ended up with a cracked patella (knee cap). It's not serious, but it's still painful and will make life more difficult for a while. Even after falling, she volunteered for the rest of the day! Please send your positive thoughts and prayers.

13/11/2024

Many thanks to Amanda Muellemann and her 11 year old daughter Rylin. They've driven 1 1/2 hours to come here several Sundays and volunteered all day. They've been such a huge help. Most kids Rylin's age just want to hang out and not do much. She's worked her butt off every time she comes. Her parents should be very proud.

13/11/2024

Is anyone available to help at all tomorrow (Wednesday)? My helper is sick and won't be able to come in. I have 63 ferrets here. That's a lot to try and get done on my own.