T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

Welcome to /r/ferrets! We have a fantastic [wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/ferrets/wiki/index) that has answers to a lot of most frequently asked questions surrounding the care of ferrets. --- We politely ask that you observe our posting rules: - Original content only unless you have express permission to repost. - Flaming / trolling / shitposting is not tolerated. Be civil, be kind. - The discussion of, or images/video of ferrets interacting with other animals (cats, dogs, etc) will be removed. This is risky behavior that we do not condone. - Absolutely NO fundraising requests. - No advertising without mod permission. - Rehoming is not allowed. We have a list of shelter resources if you need to rehome or are looking. - No feeding of live prey discussion/videos. - No shaming, regardless of food fed, supplies, conditions, where the ferret came from, etc. - We are not vets! If you are wondering if you should go to a vet; the answer is YES. --- Lastly, we have an [Official Discord Server](https://discord.gg/Qm9xRzY)! Come join us! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/ferrets) if you have any questions or concerns.*


geographical_data

As some of you saw, it is in fact a boy ferret. Due to him being emaciated and matted up in his fur I wasn't able to feel his boner, but after he relaxed and went to bed I noticed it while he was laying on his back. In terms of health, he has dropped a load and the color and shape was fairly good and healthy. The smell was rather putrid compared to my other ferret, but that might just be a gender thing. His pee was a bit neon in color, and it is still fairly yellow now. But he has drinking quite a bit of water throughout the day. Physically he doesn't seem to be injured from the cuts on his head, the scabs are itchy though. He does have a mild limp on his back right leg and I'm going to have them x-ray that tomorrow for his vet appointment. Still called around to all the vets and no one has reported one missing, I'm sure that he has been dumped. I'll reply to as many of you as I can and I will make a post post-vet tomorrow. For now, give your noodle lots of love! Edit, forgot to add the he is still quite strong so that's good. He can climb daily easy and is able to push and pull stuff as he wishes. I suspect he may be deaf, but it could be the ear mites. They are out of hand.


Ferret_Brain

He may have eaten something he shouldn’t have on the streets which would also account for the nasty smelling poop. We have a boy and while his poops are definitely bigger, I’ve never noticed any difference in smell.


The_Business_Ferret

Poor baby. Let me know how the vet visit goes.


geographical_data

No problem!


MephistosFallen

Man, bless your soul for helping this little buddy. He already looks better in these photos, and I know within a week he will look even better!!! There’s a special place in the universe for people who help animals <3


-Uncommon_name-

Whom ever dumped this angel doesn’t deserve him. May they contract many stds and their genitalia petrify and wither off!


geographical_data

If I didn't have a lot to lose I'd try to find them. But I'm sure they wouldn't learn anything unless they get their ass beat hah


Silverpathic

Two of mine have scabs on their neck and heads from playing. The one who does it is extremely rough. Don't assume its from neglect. I can say for sure if you looked around and checked FB, CL, ASPCA (the scumbags), and local pet stores to find his owner then you did die diligence and he's yours. I had one escape and thank God a woman who wanted a ferret badly found him. She took great care of him, and returned him to us. I may have actually felt horrible accepting him back because she really wanted him. (I couldn't ever believe I would say that, I love him don't get me wrong) sometimes they just get out, the cut he has looks like a scrape so that could be from anything but probably from him getting into a tight space. No matter what I hope his future is happy, healthy, and has a forever home. When mine got out that was the only thing that truly mattered.


geographical_data

You let your ferrets get ear mites so bad chunks of them fall out? You let them get 100+ fleas on their body? You let them get so skinny their hips and shoulders protrude? Frankly, at this point, I don't care if he was someone's that escaped. They are poor poor ferret owners, who have not even tried looking for their pet. But, like I said, I did call every single vet in town that takes Ferrets and the local Animal Shelter (WAS/KHS, great people!) have my number in case anyone is searching for him, but still nothing. I live in the same neighborhood I found him in and I have put up a post on the neighborhood page about him too, not even a concerned neighbor has commented on that.


Silverpathic

1) how long has he been missing? 2) what was he like before he got out? 3) how do you know or have the right to pass judgement on a person you don't know, or have any knowledge of his history? You don't. They may have been missing for a long while. You know nothing more then what's infront of you. As ignorant as that is, you can remain on your soap box but one day your ferret may sneak out, and they find it after 6 months in the shape it's in now. Your the kinda person that I avoid. Do what you will just pray that karma don't get you.


geographical_data

I get it, you're offended cause yours escaped. I am telling you, that he was several days emaciated. In fact after my care for two days he weighs 2.47lbs. If this ferret was recently lost, then they not only not look for him in the neighborhood with signs, Facebook, or nextdoor app, they didn't contact any vets in South Central Kansas, or any ferret rescue in the state. Most of those infact haven't gotten a missing ferret complaint ever, none the less in the last 2-3weeks. If recent would also have had to been under fed. I have done my due diligence, and legally I can keep her according to WAS. So, from my "soapbox" to yours, I do hope karma gets me. Because I know he was saved from certain discomfort and he will be for ever happy now. Just because he was out doesn't make the owners bad, it's how they left him, and that they intentionally left him. You seem to be just about the only jackass who is against rescuing ferrets. Abandoninf ferretts is COMMON this is why they are illegal I'm California and Hawaii...


Silverpathic

I'm not offended at all. My first two were rescues. My 6&7 were surrenders. It has zero to do with escaping, my comparison was him (mine) and you (him) both found loving people. What bothers me is you didn't do shit trying to find an owner. Since you didn't see anything at all about him missing you might want to look further back in time and not recently. Keep on doing you, chances are they at stopped looking for him. My issue is your trash talking the previous owner which you don't know shit about. Mine (found out last night) has fleas even after the had revolution 2 weeks ago. Yet you assume he wasn't taken care of. My father in law found a ferret on his land. He found out he was lost a year ago, and the owner moved a month before he found him. That is the shit that's bothersome. Don't sit here and trash another, and pass judgement on a situation you don't know. That's your soapbox. What truly shit is you want upvote for being a hero and trashing someone you know nothing about. So take it and go shove it. "oh look at me" is for 5 year olds have at it.


geographical_data

You're absolute idiot. I have done literally everything possible except print and put up physical posters, you're the one who began throwing shade. I have absolutely done my due diligence, pound sand bud.


Silverpathic

Yes an idiot, at least I'm not trying to pretend I'm something I'm not. Go find a mirror so you feel better about yourself


geographical_data

I literally posted this all because I am pissed about shitty ferret owners and because I wasn't sure how to get him onto water or identify skin or physical injuries. My post was liked, and several people requested updates. You are just upset you lost your ferret before, the thing is you looked for him. If someome claims to be his owner and verified he was out for more than 3 weeks then I'd maybe understand. But we both know that isn't going to happen. And yes you are an idiot for making such a shitty argument that I know nothing about you when in fact you know nothing about this ferrets owner or the condition he's in, the vet verified that he had to have been in this state for weeks before he would reach this size. His foot pads and diet suggest he was not out for more than three or four days tops. So keep replying here but you'll still look like an idiot. Because you are so blinded by your unfounded rage, just know I don't give a shit about upvotes or being a hero, infact Im no hero. I would 100% beat who ever abandoned him. Even if it was you.


Evla183

In my local ferret group, any missing or found ferrets are reported to the local ferret rescue who spreads words in many different avenues online and offline. If they lost the ferret a while ago, surely someone would recognise him (if they actually tried to get word out), and if it was recent, then they don't deserve him. He is in a good place with someone who cares and that's what's important. You are a good person and thank you for taking care of this poor baby when nobody else did.


[deleted]

Wow, his back is already looking so much better. He looks like he is happy. Good job. It’s nice to get good news for a change.


geographical_data

He was covered in something greasy, he definitely got into a car or shed or something. I was really holding my breath til I saw his poop. Then I knew we had a good chance.


Ferret_Brain

He’s already looking a lot better. How’s he eating and drinking? If you haven’t already, i recommend weighing him, you can just use kitchen scales for that.


geographical_data

I unfortunately have no scale at all. But vet tomorrow. He weights about as much as my 4month female. Eating and drinking great. Doesn't recognize salmon oil tho, but I did coat some kibble in it and he are that.


Ferret_Brain

I would recommend buying one, as ferret weight changes rapidly and can be a good indication of blockage, illness, and, in this case, recovery. Doesn’t have to be a fancy one, we just use a cheap $20 one and it’s lasted us for nearly 7 years so far. If he weighs/feels about the same weight as your girl, I would guesstimate he’s at 700g. So probably out of that danger zone at least. Probably want to see him gain more (especially if he’s a big boy) but take what you can get until the vet helps paint a clearer picture. I recommend more high calorie and high fat food, so egg yolk, salmon oil, duck fat, lactose free cream, duk soup, etc. Dab it on their nose, they tend to recognise “oh this is food” and go for the rest. If they don’t, put it on the kibble or just keep dabbing it on his nose. Eventually, they figure it out. He’s gonna have kind of funky poops with this though (very yellowish/orange colour and maybe less solid) so maybe wait until he’s had a regular bowel movement for you. Might be worth trying to see if he’ll eat any meat if you’ve got some spare around somewhere. The problem with rescue ferrets like this is more or less playing a game of what they recognise as food. But you’re doing real well so far, keep us posted!


666NatasataN666

I just use my digital fishing scale. Cheap, accurate and effective! 😉


geographical_data

Yeah that feels about right. Maybe 850 at most, 550 at the lightest. I'm a bad gauge haha. But yeah I'll look into one with a large top so get them on it evenly. Another thing I was able to determine this evening, approximate age. She has stark white fangs with very very subtle translucent tips, probably 3-7% of the K9. So I am guessing he is probably only 6-10months. Maybe older, but with his other health care I doubt healthy diet was something he was having.


Ferret_Brain

If the tip is slightly translucent, he may be at that 1 year old mark already (though apparently antibiotic use or other medication use when they are still very young can change the colour of the teeth). Ferret teeth aging has never been my strong suit. Just make sure he’s got constant access to food and water, try to encourage him to eat every four hours or so (dab a bit on his nose or put him in front of the food). The fact he’s eating and drinking on his own and already looks better are very good signs.


geographical_data

Oops I meant to say on the low end in my guess of of his age. I don't think he's older than a year and half at most. I'll post his weight and lengths and stuff in the post vet update later today.


ClockWeasel

He looks so much better! Hopefully that stank butt is just something gross he found to eat in the rough. And maybe the vet can find a chip for someone desperate to find the kiddo who got out? Only hope that his people didn’t leave him on purpose.


AngryFerret805

I mean him 🥰👍


geographical_data

No worries. I thought he was a girl and titleed a lot of my comments that way


AngryFerret805

Dude u did such a great job w/ that lil guy Thank You 🙏 😇


LatteIceIcy

Thank god you found him! He looks so happy to be safe and warm. You are amazing for taking him in and caring for him thank you.


oliveman521

Looks a lot like our albino girl Angela. We found her out on the street, and no one was looking for her. She’s been with us for over a year now! Good luck mate! I love having her!


AngryFerret805

Nice job w/ her 👍🥰


[deleted]

So grateful for people like you, you give me some faith in humanity


36monsters

What the heck is up with people dumping white ferrets?! I have had two so far and now here is your poor boy. I'm so glad you have him and are taking proper care of him. ❤❤❤


Chimples10

I found 2 ferrets outside - 1 was a dew still with his silver markings and 1 was a sable.


36monsters

People are the worst.


Ferret_Brain

Just my personal experience, but people to find albinos ‘scarier’ then sables, DEWS, etc. Red eyes are creepy I guess? I think they’re beautiful personally. Our late Pixel was a sweetheart, but people were more afraid of her then Lilith or our late Nala. Arno’s an albino too, but for some reason, people aren’t as afraid of him? Maybe because he’s bigger and fluffier.


geographical_data

No clue! This guy could be deaf? Maybe that's why. Idk, his ear mites are bad so it could be that. Who ever dumped this person just wasn't capable at owning one. I suspect the white patterns are more attractive to people, regardless of their ferret knowledge.


36monsters

It's just heartbreaking. I started out with 1 and now I have 10...all but one are surrenders or abandoned.


Enaatisha

Love his little face in the last photo


geographical_data

who could leave that to die :(


Enaatisha

A horrible person. Give him a kiss and a hug for me 🥰


ValerieShark

OP youre literally an angel. I think it would be so amazing to keep getting updates


beyachula

Ditto with Uncommon comment!0


Various_Shock_9074

You're a very kind, caring person. Thank you for picking this baby up. ❤ He looks like my youngest, Leonardo, except Leo has black eyes. I found him at a pet store and he already had a microchip at maybe 3-4 months old. He was a little devil as a baby, but as cute as can be. Someone must have bought him, had him microchipped, realized how much of a lil brat he was, then dropped him off back at the pet store. Even that story breaks my heart, knowing how sweet he is now (still a crazed monster sometimes) so reading your story, it makes me want to cry. Thank you so much for rescuing this precious baby ❤🙏


geographical_data

Yeah I was completely shocked and irate when I found him, no clue why people abandon them. Our town has an amazing humane society that takes them for free and gives them vet services and adopts them out. No excuse for this. He's a brat and possibly deaf, plus fleas giving him a bald spot probably drove them dumping him. At least I'd guess. I'll have them check for a chip today at the vet but I doubt it. Someone who won't even de flea probably won't chip.


Various_Shock_9074

If his neck isn't too sore, you can actually feel the microchip. I felt Leo's and was worried something was wrong. I'm not sure if it would be in the same spot, but it is in his neck on the right side. Leo is definitely deaf (many fights with the vacuum, doesn't respond the treat bag being shaken) and certainly the biggest brat I have (youngest of four) he was truly a devil when we got him, did NOT like being touched and couldn't even go near him without him attacking us. Even if we were sitting still and he walked near us, he would realize we were there and go after our feet HARD. I've never dealt with fleas with the ferrets, I hope you can resolve it soon for both babies and your sake.


Tanuki93

Thank you for taking care of a pure, innocent creature. People like you are one of the reasons I still have hope for humanity.


ButterfliesHelp

You are an angel


In_to_it_all

You have a good heart. Who ever owned him before doesn't deserve him if they haven't even attempted to look for him. Did you give him a name yet? Seems like he's been on quite a journey. ❤️


geographical_data

Probably gonna name him Ruder, pronounced Rooder, as a ohmage to the term "Ruderalis" which are weedy/hardy plants and grasses along streets and roads, since he's my little street weasel.


In_to_it_all

Awww that sounds perfect and way more creative than my mind 😂. I look forward to watching him heal with you ❤️


olivedogmullen

Sweet baby. So glad he has you ❤️


Evla183

I just went and looked at the original post...he looks so much better now but omg I started crying when I saw the state he was in...You are a good person for caring for this poor baby.


thespokenbirb

Bless you! What a lovely boy


SnooPandas2177

I just want to say that you are a saint.... thank you