Ferrets/Expert Profile

Expertise

Being a ferret owner for over 16 years, I can answer questions about general care, cage ideas and requirements, healthy foods and snacks, things to beware of as far as safety issues with ferrets, common causes of intestinal blockages, appropriate housing, litterbox training, making bathtime fun, toys, games galore, outdoor excursions, "Do`s and Don`ts", how to ferretproof your home, traveling with ferrets by car and airlines, proper temperatures for ferret environment, how to set up a hospital cage, IBS (irritable bowel) in ferrets, helicobacter (ulcers), adrenal disease symptoms, how to help your ferret recover quickly, happily and safely from surgeries; common problems with ferret ownership, illnesses; and taking care of a sick ferrets, hospice and palliative care, ferret death and choices that must be made when a ferret dies, memorializing your ferret online and in your daily life. WHAT I CAN`T DO: I can`t take the place of your ferret vet; if your ferret appears sick,PLEASE have your ferret examined by a ferret vet IMMEDIATELY. Proper and EARLY vet care is PRIORITY #1 for sick ferrets. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR A SICK FERRET - PLEASE, IF IN DOUBT, GET THEM TO A VET!

Experience in the area

As I cannot control when the system delivers your question to me, DO NOT USE THIS SITE FOR EMERGENCY QUESTIONS. CONTACT A VET. F.Y.I.GENERAL FERRET CARE/INFORMATION: http://www.cypresskeep.com/ferretarticles.htm */*FIRST AID FOR FERRETS: http://miamiferret.org/fhc/ffaid.htm */*FIND A VET HERE: http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html I have nursed ferrets through many illnesses and a variety of diseases over the years.Ferrets are so very delicate, yet incredibly strong-willed; a well-loved ferret will fight courageously to live if given proper medical care, monitoring, and especially lots of TLC. A ferret can entertain for hours on end when they know they are the center of attention; and they can make even the grumpiest person laugh through life's difficulties. They do require a LOT of time, love and daily care, but the love you give a ferret always comes back to you tenfold! I dedicate the time I spend helping others here to my precious little ones who have gone to the Rainbow Bridge. They taught me how to laugh, to love unconditionally....and how to live each & every day to its fullest, and I am forever grateful.

Organizations

Yuma County Humane Society

Publications

Yuma Daily Sun recognition for being an outstanding ferret mom and having incredibly well-trained ferrets.

Education/Credentials

I read everything I can get my hands on regarding ferrets.

Awards and Honors

WANT TO BE A FERRET EXPERT? I serve as the resident "guru" for this category. IF YOU WISH TO VOLUNTEER IN THE FERRET CATEGORY, please email me at thunder.paw.ranch@gmail.com and request an application. All volunteers must complete a general ferret information questionaire to be a volunteer in this category. Thanks for your cooperation :)

Past/Present Clients

I try to educate anyone who is interested in ferrets, as I take my ferrets with me in public a lot. There is a lot of MISinformation out there about ferrets that needs to be dispelled with facts, in addition to ferret owners who need to be keep abreast of the latest and best information for their little ones.

What do you like about this subject?

I just LOVE ferrets - absolutely everything about them! I would do anything to help a little ferret in need. I truly believe they are just about the most precious and sweetest of all God's creatures.

What do you still hope to achieve/learn in this field?

*FIND A FERRET VET HERE: http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html I would like to teach ferret owners ONE thing especially: ALWAYS USE A 'FERRET VET' or "exotics specialist"-dog & cat type vet just won't do(but ferret vets also see dogs & cats).Always ASK if your vet is one!

Something interesting about this subject that others may not know:

*MOST IMPORTANT: A ferret can go from'not feeling too well'one day to being DEAD day. DO NOT DELAY - FERRETS HIDE THEIR ILLNESSES.By the time they *look* sick, they are usually dying.One day of vomit/diarrhea WILL kill a ferret (dehydration) without subQ fluids.ANY CHANGE(eating/pooping/peeing)is a RED FLAG = a trip to the vet NOW, not later. "Ferrents"(ferret parents) must ALWAYS be aware.

Something controversial or provocative about this subject

If an owner spends a lot of time with the ferret, he will soon see that ferrets are *at least* as smart as a cat or dog, very faithful, loving AND VERY SILLY! *IMPORTANT Ferrets actually get depressed if they don't have enough interraction with their people DAILY. Yes, descented ferrets have a slight odor, but its slight if living area is kept clean.