Noodley said:
i know, she's all wobbly on her legs bless. she needs walking sticks, but she's still in reasonable health other than i've had to move her house "downstairs" in her cage because she can't manage climbing anymore. she doesn't seem to be in pain so i think she may just go in her sleep, fingers crossed.
longers said:
All I know about ferrets is they are a bit smelly. Very smelly. It's their glands I think. They're normally kept outside.
I had one in my garden a bit back. It was a lovely docile one and let me pick it up no bother at all. I washed my hands afterwards.
apparently, having them neutered is the key as most of the smell comes from the hormones. although they can produce a smell through their anal glands, like skunks, as a form of defence, so not very often as they get to know their owners so aren't scared. vets will remove the glands if it becomes a problem but as a general rule they like to keep them intact just in case they get out, as it can ward off predators. it's generally considered more effective just having them neutered.
my sister found one once. she came to get me because she wasn't brave enough to pick her up. thought she had been run over, her back legs were paralysed and she looked like she was dieing. turned out she was, kind of; she was in season and had escaped to go look for a bit of nookie. her owner was really stressed. if you don't mate the females when they are in season they get aneamic and eventually die. the vet had to do it (i didn't ask how... i'm not really sure i want to know
![Big grin :biggrin: :biggrin:](/styles/default/xenforo/smls/biggrin.gif)
) anyway, i saved her life because i was the only onlooker brave enough to pick her up. she was lovely.
anyway, i've done a bit of research. they are pretty much easy to look after although they do need lots of attention. no problem there. i live on my own and will love her to bits. just a tad worried about my very expensive leather settee. i read they don't chew furniture but just wondered if anyone had ever owned one and if that's true, or whether i will have to ferret proof it.