Message Number: YG4764 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Mike Janke
Date: 2001-06-22 07:34:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Emma is Shedding; Champ is Weird

Seasonal shedding is controlled by the photoperiod. It's not
temperature related in any way. Since we really mess with their
perceived photoperiod with our inside lighting, they can and do shed
at weird times of the year.

I suspect it may also have something to do with the hormonal changes
caused by her recent spay.

I don't have any suggestions about Champ, but I have noticed when
they're ill, they're not too concerned about where they plop down and
rest.

mike


--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., katharine <shurcool@i...> wrote:
> Remember Emma? She's my little rescue from the
> feed store who was in heat. She was spayed about
> 4 weeks ago (her vulva has finally returned to
> normal) and is wearing everyone out in the house;
> man and beast alike.
>
> Emma is shedding like crazy! What is this all
> about? At first, she had this dandruff stuff but
> it's pretty much under control now after a couple
> of baths. I think it was stress coming to a new
> environment. I was cutting her nails last night
> and my navy blue shirt was an inch thick in fur.
> I finally took her outside and was plucking
> handsful of fur. It was flying all over the
> place. She still has a nice thick coat (no bald
> spots) but I can't figure out why she would shed
> at the end of June in Florida in an air
> conditioned house. Should I worry? BTW, her fur
> is coming in very nicely from her spay.
>
> Champ (renal failure) has me a little worried. I
> have found him, several times, asleep in the
> oddest places, including in the middle of the
> floor. Of course, I think he's dead every time.
> You all know this is very unferret-like behavior.
> Any clues? Also, last night I was cutting his
> nails and noticed that they had not grown very
> much in the last two weeks. Is this his low
> protein diet? Should I be concerned?
>
> Katharine