Post by Kim on Jul 10, 2010 7:16:29 GMT -5
Last week in August 2009, I, Nancy Carol Williams of 2nd Hand Ranch & Rescue received a phone call from Kathy Whiteside (a local organic chicken/turkey farmer) that she had stopped by her neighbor's house who was going through a nasty divorce and she saw a pathetic little ferret neglected in a very very dirty cage. When she had inquired about it, the owner said he got stuck with the creature and wanted it gone. It had caused his house to become flea infested (we know this isn't true as it never went outside) and had been bathed often with Dawn per the Pet Shop in Kewakee IL where he had purchased "a few years ago" He had bombed his house and said the ferret was causing more issues. It must have been very bad, as Kathy isn't an animal fan, and keeps her dogs and cats outside like many rural folks.
Kathy Whiteside called me as I am an Illinois DNR wildlife rehabber and she assumed that ferrets were wild and it should be set free. I told her ferrets were domestic animals but I would of course help any animal in need. I then called the Greater Chicago Ferret Rescue hoping that someone out there could help. With great joy Steven emailed me back immediately. Kathy called the owner for me to pick up, he said he'd rather meet at the Farmers Market (where Kathy has a booth) on Saturday as he works long hours as a local electrician. The owner said they had purchased as pet for their son Luke, but since the divorce he wanted nothing to do with it as his wife had purchased originally and now didn't want. He was planning on letting it go until Kathy stepped in and said she would find a person to take (me) He said it was a 'papered registered' (is there such a thing) fixed and descented boy, but that was about it. I heard over and over that he was getting a divorce and then many nasty remarks on how he got stuck with the ferret. I think he was projecting all his anger on the ferret and we didn't get much farther. I am happy he did finally get to me and didn't set free. Wish people would call when they first decide on disposing of an animals, not when its so late in the neglect
August 29, 2009: We (Ron & Kim) arrived at the rescuer’s location in Princeton, IL at approximately 4:30 p.m. Ferret had been surrendered to the rescuer earlier that day at approximately noon. The following are our observations:
Ferret was thin, lethargic and filthy.
His teeth had tartar buildup and we noted two dark spots at the upper gumline indicating some decay.
His nose, gums, ears, and pads of feet were white.
His ears were deeply impacted with dirt and mites.
He was infested with adult fleas and eggs. Fleas were crawling all over his body and “diving” in and out of the fur on his head and around his eyes. Fleas were attached to his eyelids.
When I reached into the carrier to pet him, he lifted his head to nibble on my fingers. At first I thought he was “nippy“, later I realized he was licking my fingers possibly looking for food, water, or comfort.
He was too weak to scratch at the adult fleas that were crawling on his body and attached to his eyelids.
He would not eat or drink, although some Marshalls dry food and water were placed with him in the temporary carrier by the rescuer.
His eyes were squinted and watery.
His tail was slightly bloodied due to his chewing because of fleas.
The tail and base were balding either due to chewing at fleas or adrenal disease.
When picked up, his body was limp and dangled from my hand. His paws offered no resistance when manipulated.
The cage he was released with was the cage he lived in. It was reported that he never left the cage under previous ownership. The cage would have been adequate as a transport device but would not be recommended as healthy living quarters. The cage has a wire top and plastic bottom. There was a small corner litter box, no bedding, there was a small nesting box such as one would use for a chinchilla however there was nothing soft inside to sleep in, a water bottle (the bottle was stained inside with brown slime), and an empty food bowl (there was a partially used bag of Marshalls dry food with the cage). The cage was large enough for the ferret to get up and walk but not large enough for normal daily activities. We did not take the cage due to its filthy condition.
Although we had a carrier with us for transport, we placed him in a fleece sack so we could hold him during the ride home. We offered him some fresh water and he drank a small amount.
We advised our Shelter Director, Steven, of the situation and were advised by him to drive directly to animal emergency.
Approximately a half hour into the two hour trip home, he began to show serious signs of distress. His breathing became labored and raspy, he did not blink and his eyes were glassy, he began to drool, and his body became slightly stiff.
We performed some emergency first aid to bring his glucose level back up and he became more comfortable. He was quiet for the balance of the drive to the er.
It was at that point we renamed him from Bandit to Phoenix.
We arrived at the er approximately 7:00 p.m. that evening and surrendered the ferret to their care.
August 31, 2009: He rec'd his second blood transfusion and is showing signs of producing his own red blood cells. He is still in intensive care (due to a Splenectomy) until likely tomorrow. We will be taking him home with us for the balance of his rehab and then he will go to the shelter to go up for adoption. Also, it might make you feel good to know that Ron and I weren't the only volunteers willing to make the 6-hour round trip drive. We found out that there were 7 other people too. Kinda makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
September 4, 2009: Phoenix is doing very well. He is sleeping a bunch and is taking his meds like a good boy. He was a bit more active last night and this morning (rushing the bathroom door so he can go for walkabout) but we are trying to keep him quiet for a couple more days. We put some toys in with him last night and reminded him what playing was like. He has a favorite corner where he toddles off with his toys. He watched some tv with us on the couch last night (his favorite show is House). When you reach down to pet him, he arches his back up like a cat to try to keep human contact as much as possible. This morning, I offered him some ferretvite on my finger and, after licking it off, he very gently grasped my fingertip with his teeth and tried to take me into his toy corner. I guess he has claimed me as his
September 6, 2009: His energy level is wonderful. Poop is now perfect. He is exploring and playing (he even pushed a tennis ball all through our big tube maze). He will remain isolated in the bathroom until the ece issues of our other ferrets have been resolved. He gives bunches of kisses. Is a bit frightened by the dogs but is still very brave about them. He is a wonderful ferret and is definitely coming out of his shell. He seems to be looking. For human contact and seeks us out if we don't immediately pay attention to him. It is amazing how forgiving animals can be.
July 10, 2010: Phoenix is a happy, healthy, sweet boy. He goes with us to our Meet The Ferrets events and is a wonderful Spokesferret for the GCFA and the work that they do.
Kathy Whiteside called me as I am an Illinois DNR wildlife rehabber and she assumed that ferrets were wild and it should be set free. I told her ferrets were domestic animals but I would of course help any animal in need. I then called the Greater Chicago Ferret Rescue hoping that someone out there could help. With great joy Steven emailed me back immediately. Kathy called the owner for me to pick up, he said he'd rather meet at the Farmers Market (where Kathy has a booth) on Saturday as he works long hours as a local electrician. The owner said they had purchased as pet for their son Luke, but since the divorce he wanted nothing to do with it as his wife had purchased originally and now didn't want. He was planning on letting it go until Kathy stepped in and said she would find a person to take (me) He said it was a 'papered registered' (is there such a thing) fixed and descented boy, but that was about it. I heard over and over that he was getting a divorce and then many nasty remarks on how he got stuck with the ferret. I think he was projecting all his anger on the ferret and we didn't get much farther. I am happy he did finally get to me and didn't set free. Wish people would call when they first decide on disposing of an animals, not when its so late in the neglect
August 29, 2009: We (Ron & Kim) arrived at the rescuer’s location in Princeton, IL at approximately 4:30 p.m. Ferret had been surrendered to the rescuer earlier that day at approximately noon. The following are our observations:
Ferret was thin, lethargic and filthy.
His teeth had tartar buildup and we noted two dark spots at the upper gumline indicating some decay.
His nose, gums, ears, and pads of feet were white.
His ears were deeply impacted with dirt and mites.
He was infested with adult fleas and eggs. Fleas were crawling all over his body and “diving” in and out of the fur on his head and around his eyes. Fleas were attached to his eyelids.
When I reached into the carrier to pet him, he lifted his head to nibble on my fingers. At first I thought he was “nippy“, later I realized he was licking my fingers possibly looking for food, water, or comfort.
He was too weak to scratch at the adult fleas that were crawling on his body and attached to his eyelids.
He would not eat or drink, although some Marshalls dry food and water were placed with him in the temporary carrier by the rescuer.
His eyes were squinted and watery.
His tail was slightly bloodied due to his chewing because of fleas.
The tail and base were balding either due to chewing at fleas or adrenal disease.
When picked up, his body was limp and dangled from my hand. His paws offered no resistance when manipulated.
The cage he was released with was the cage he lived in. It was reported that he never left the cage under previous ownership. The cage would have been adequate as a transport device but would not be recommended as healthy living quarters. The cage has a wire top and plastic bottom. There was a small corner litter box, no bedding, there was a small nesting box such as one would use for a chinchilla however there was nothing soft inside to sleep in, a water bottle (the bottle was stained inside with brown slime), and an empty food bowl (there was a partially used bag of Marshalls dry food with the cage). The cage was large enough for the ferret to get up and walk but not large enough for normal daily activities. We did not take the cage due to its filthy condition.
Although we had a carrier with us for transport, we placed him in a fleece sack so we could hold him during the ride home. We offered him some fresh water and he drank a small amount.
We advised our Shelter Director, Steven, of the situation and were advised by him to drive directly to animal emergency.
Approximately a half hour into the two hour trip home, he began to show serious signs of distress. His breathing became labored and raspy, he did not blink and his eyes were glassy, he began to drool, and his body became slightly stiff.
We performed some emergency first aid to bring his glucose level back up and he became more comfortable. He was quiet for the balance of the drive to the er.
It was at that point we renamed him from Bandit to Phoenix.
We arrived at the er approximately 7:00 p.m. that evening and surrendered the ferret to their care.
August 31, 2009: He rec'd his second blood transfusion and is showing signs of producing his own red blood cells. He is still in intensive care (due to a Splenectomy) until likely tomorrow. We will be taking him home with us for the balance of his rehab and then he will go to the shelter to go up for adoption. Also, it might make you feel good to know that Ron and I weren't the only volunteers willing to make the 6-hour round trip drive. We found out that there were 7 other people too. Kinda makes you all warm and fuzzy inside.
September 4, 2009: Phoenix is doing very well. He is sleeping a bunch and is taking his meds like a good boy. He was a bit more active last night and this morning (rushing the bathroom door so he can go for walkabout) but we are trying to keep him quiet for a couple more days. We put some toys in with him last night and reminded him what playing was like. He has a favorite corner where he toddles off with his toys. He watched some tv with us on the couch last night (his favorite show is House). When you reach down to pet him, he arches his back up like a cat to try to keep human contact as much as possible. This morning, I offered him some ferretvite on my finger and, after licking it off, he very gently grasped my fingertip with his teeth and tried to take me into his toy corner. I guess he has claimed me as his
September 6, 2009: His energy level is wonderful. Poop is now perfect. He is exploring and playing (he even pushed a tennis ball all through our big tube maze). He will remain isolated in the bathroom until the ece issues of our other ferrets have been resolved. He gives bunches of kisses. Is a bit frightened by the dogs but is still very brave about them. He is a wonderful ferret and is definitely coming out of his shell. He seems to be looking. For human contact and seeks us out if we don't immediately pay attention to him. It is amazing how forgiving animals can be.
July 10, 2010: Phoenix is a happy, healthy, sweet boy. He goes with us to our Meet The Ferrets events and is a wonderful Spokesferret for the GCFA and the work that they do.