Triangle Ferret Lovers Newsletter
Issue 17, April/May 1997
This will be a picnic and games event - please bring your choice of blanket, lawn chairs, food (if desired), non-aggressive up-to-date vaccinated healthy ferrets with carrier, leash, carrier/pet taxi with their food, water bottle, and litterbox, to enjoy "ferret community" friendship and ferret games. If you were one of the thirty-seven humans at the Annual TriFL Holiday Party last December, you already know how much fun we can have together!
Potential games or contests will include: Ferret/Owner Look- Alike, Best Costume (any Southern Belle's out there?), Longest Tail, Most Innocent Expression (by a ferret not an owner - my Gina wins by default), Best Trick (you have to "out do" Death By Breath), Paper Bag Escape, Fastest Steal, and Quickest Cup Tipper (all ferrets win), etc.
Directions: Ya' know where Raleigh-Durham International Airport is? Take a look at a map - off Interstate 40, take Aviation Parkway south (away from the airport) take a left into the park and look for the TriFL signs. Rain date is Saturday, May 17th. For more information call Shari @ 919/231-3222.
Manage meetings; oversee club operations; solicit information, advice, and opinions from the club membership, officers, Board of Directors to identify and carry out TriFL's key goals and roles (see front page header); be a positive force for the club and ferrets in general; be aware of potential problems, legislation, opportunities, public perception, etc. of ferrets/TriFL; and guide and support committee chairs in fundraising, and activities/event planning.
If you are able to volunteer as our club's President, with many helpers, for the area Triangle ferrets and lovers, let one of our Vice President's know of your intentions at the May 10th Annual Ferret Fun Frolic, or call Dave @ 785-0687 before 6pm or Earl @ 403-1649.
Fuzzies are fuzzies, so why should it be?
My human and I get along so wonderfully.
We're different colors and we're different breeds.
We're different fuzzies with different needs.
It's obvious you love me 'cuz I dook all day long
Even though I poop on the floor
You say I've done nothing wrong.
You can't understand,
What causes ferret math
It takes another fuzzy
To help you understand.
(repeat chorus)
At first, your sick or recovering ferret will be a big drain on your time, energy, and humor. If you're unfortunate enough to have a chronically ill ferret, you may find that she becomes easier to deal with after a while, as you both get used to her new routine and limitations.
You may have an assortment of medications for your ferret, whose schedule and doses might change according to her health. It's very important to keep a complete and accurate chart. Note how and when medicines must be given, and whenever you give medicines write them down and note the time. Keep information on side effects, when to skip doses, how to deal with missed doses or accidently doubled doses, which medicines should not be given close together, which must be shielded from light, and all other related information. Do not keep medications in a room which gets too hot, too cold, or too humid. Never give a laxative close to when you give a medicine. Be aware of side-effects and interactions.
Pill cutters work much better than scalpels or other things, and tweezers will also be handy. Keep in mind how different medicines must be given, and find the best way for each to minimize the stress to you and your ferret. Some must be given in ways which minimize the exposure to water or saliva. Liquids are pretty straight forward, but some ferrets get good at bringing those up or spitting them out. If your vet or the manufacturer's research pharmacists say they may be given with fats try putting some Linatone or Nutrical on the ferret's nose and while she is licking that off squirting in the dose at the posterior side of the mouth. (Do not use a laxative such as Petromalt for these.)
You may need to cut down the sides of a litter pan for easy access, and folded towels can be used to make gentle ramps. For a recovering ferret who is ready for play but isn't quite up to speed yet, put extra ramps, pillows, and climbing boxes around the room she'll be playing in, to make it easier for her to get into and out of boxes and jump down from furniture. (Be careful not to let her be more active than is safe, and always supervise her in play.) Weak ferrets can't play normally, but they still enjoy encountering new things. Ruffle loved being carried for walks, being given herbs to smell (especially mints and basils), listening to music (especially songs with her name), hugs and kisses, and other peaceful entertainments.
If at all possible cancel your trips away. If not possible have a familiar, friendly, knowledgeable pet sitter such as a vet tech. Have a schedule, with some minor variations for interest, so that your pet knows what to expect. When your ferret has to be at the vet's office bring along a favorite toy or blanket which smells like home.
Make sure you hold them a lot. Support their rump with one hand, and place the palm of your other hand under their chest, wrapping your fingers around their upper torso so that their front legs stick out between some of your fingers. It's a natural ferret-holding position, and it is a good one that keeps them from squirming too much. Train them several times daily by picking them up in this manner. When they squirm, say "No." and when they stay still, praise them. After a minute or so, let them go when they have stayed still for a few seconds in succession. Don't put them down if they nip you or when they are squirming - unless they have to go potty (within 5-15 minutes upon wakening).
This sort of training makes it easy for you to do all sorts of things later on - nail clipping (with the help of Ferretvite or Laxatone on their belly for distraction), inspection for signs of ill health, cuddling, etc. It doesn't work over night. Have patience.
- excerpt from Melissa Litwicki 3/31/97 FML post
-from Tryntje Miller's 4/4/97 FML post
Ferret you are special dear, Your motives are so crystal clear. You have been sent from up above, To show us humans how to love. Although your fighting seems so cruel You always know the golden rule. You may squabble, bite and squeal, But in the end it's love you deal. A ferret kiss, a coo or two And it's clear your war is through. We could learn a thing from this, Make war a game, it's prize a kiss.
TRIangle Ferret Lovers 4001 Cummings Circle #1-B Raleigh, NC 27613
This web page is maintained by Pam Sessoms. I can be reached at: pjdutche@email.unc.edu.
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