ooh.. free ferret! - Renamed Ichi (the killer) and new pics 9/12! - vet visit

[DragonTamer]

Well, last night my boyfriend went to work (midnight) and saw a towel that looked like it was breathing at our door, but didn't touch it or want to.  he came home at 6:30am and the ferret was out and about!  He actually followed Colin around, so Colin came in and asked if I wanted a free ferret..  hah.  someone dumped a ferret wrapped in a towel at our doorstep, basically.  We have no idea who, or anything else about him except he's friendly, an adult, male, and has fleas and earmites. 

Dunno what to do, but I started playing with him and crying.. unfortunately I miss my ferret badly (he died well over 2 years ago), but I can't really have a ferret.. can I?  gah.. 

[taku]

  No, you cannot. You must send him to me, or at least pics to let us see if he's worthy of you keeping him. J/K...about you keeping him, not the pics.

[OrlandoBloomnut]

ohh the poor babie

[DragonTamer]

well I'm currently using my b/f's computer, because mine decided that as of today my USB ports shouldn't work anymore (thus I can't use a mouse, keyboard, or connect my digital camera up to it). 

I asked around work, because only they would know where I live and that I have pets.. Well, them and the apartment management (they make regular checkups on all apartments, not just mine.  Yes, they know about my rats, I keep them next to the front door even). 

This ferret is a Marshall's farms one.  He has the tattoos and such......  I clipped his uber long nails, gave him a bath and went through his fur with a flea comb, etc.  We're going to keep him for a week to see if anyone claims him.  If not, then we're taking him in to the vet's for a checkup, flea treatment, and shots I guess, since I have no idea about his medical background or anything else like that. 

I saw someone and their kid outside our place today looking for something, thought it was the ferret, but it turned out to be the mailman.  I'm sort of hopeful that someone comes for him, but at the same time I've fallen for him, and worry about who would abandon him outside wrapped in a towel anyway? 

The cat's already gotten used to him, and the rabbit cage had to be completely closed up because of him....  gah.  Other than that, he's very affectionate, and is exploring everywhere right now.  It's baby proof and rabbit proof, but not ferret proof, he can get into the teeniest little spots, including inside my couch!

I'll update with pictures if and when my computer's USB ports are fixed.  hopefully soon!  He's a dark sable color, with a white spot on his neck.  he also stole a rubber ducky from the bathroom, lol. 

[dragynflye]

lol sounds like the stork left you a new baby!

[DragonTamer]

pics!  I managed to get them onto b/f's computer (SHH don't tell him I downloaded a freeware onto his brand new computer to upload the pics!)

[Marybelle]

Awwww, what a handsome boy!!

And you know coming to us to tell you you can't have any pet is counter-productive, right?  We're a group of enablers! 

[susschen22]

Awww...he is adorable!!! I think you have to keep him! 

[Dearpie]

He looks quite cozy and settled in with his new family, if you ask me!  What's his name?   

[ginger_fish]

EEEE!!! He's such a cutie! I love his coloring, It's so dark and manly, I think you should keep him for sure! If you don't I will >.<

[DragonTamer]

I've named him Oberon.  According to what I can see with his teeth, he's under 2 years of age, and some ferret people said he looks like he still has some of his kit fur.

His vet appointment is Tuesday, and he'll be getting his shots, flea treatment, fecal, blood glucose test, etc etc etc done.  Yeah... I guess we're keeping him.

[susschen22]

Guess you can honestly say he was sent to you...maybe your former ferret had a hand in it...CONGRATS he is so beautiful.  I've never been a fan of the ferret smell but they really are such loves!

[curi0sitykitt3n]

Poor poor baby! I can't believe someone abandoned him. I don't think he was an escape-y or runaway because I doubt he took his trusty towel with him. I'd guess he was dumped there for you. Or maybe I don't know ferrets as well as I thought. Perhaps Oberon had a chance to read Douglas Adams in his previous life. Either way he is a lucky ferret to have found some one who will care for him (even if it does only turn out to be for a breif time while you find him another home).

[ginger_fish]

I don't think he was an escape-y or runaway because I doubt he took his trusty towel with him.

lol I can tell you've never met my ferrets, my girl, Jinx, will grab her blanket and move it to another area if it's to loud where she is.

[DragonTamer]

Well Oberon's name has officially changed to Ichi (the killer).  It suits him better, and he's an itchy (ichi.. yes yes it's pronounced slightly different) boy.  He's also our one and only ferret (ichi = one). 

His vet appointment is today at 5:45pm and he'll be getting a blood glucose test as well as everything else done.  We'll see how he does! 

[kit]

He is tooooooooooooooooo cute...must post more pics

[DragonTamer]

update on ferret!  He had his vet visit

They did bloodwork on him and he's fine.  his BG test results were 97?  did an ISTAT EC8+ blood analysis. 
had fecal done, fine.  got advantage, got his rabies and distemper and while waiting to see how he reacted to his shots in the lobby, they did all the bloodwork in the back.  This place apparently sees a couple ferret rescues in the area, and one person who works there has a ferret rescue.  Both her and the vet checked him, and he's about 2-3 years old, but she said he has a baby face, heh.  He's a bit thin (he was thin when I found him, he has a potbelly going on now from all he's eating, heh). 

All in all it was good.  The vet seemed concerned when I said I had two rabbits, and had to make sure they were fixed (they are).  bah...  I guess they've had lots of problems recently, and they see the house rabbit society here as well, and a ton of dog rescues, etc.  I think I found a decent local vet finally. 

Also, the rescue person said if it doesn't work out, she'll be glad to help find him a GOOD home.  That helped a lot.  I'm still not sure if I can add him to my crew.  He's been trying to get at the two rabbits for some time and it's VERY hard to alternate rabbit time and ferret time.  I've had to limit the buns and keep the ferret out almost exclusively while I'm home. 

also a question..  now that I have only 4 rats in one cage, 6 in another (I have two martins RUUD cages), eventually I'd like to combine them into one cage, split in two.  Is it possible to modify the other RUUD for ferret accomodation?  As in, widening the holes, taking a level or two out, widening ramps, etc?  I just think he'd probably enjoy a larger cage than what he has now.  Or is it too small width-wise, and too much height to make a difference? 

weird question I know.. if not, I'll just get a nicer cage for him.   my last ferret had a midwest ferret playpen, but I had to add levels and a ton of hammocks to it anyway.  I figured the RUUD already had a ton of that.. but it's not as wide or long as the playpen (I have one now for Matisse, actually.  He chewed up any extra level I put in there.. hasn't touched the last two, but still). 

[taku]

  He's absolutely adorable! He looks like my cinnamon banded girl, Ferra. I'm glad he's in great health and has a wonderful, if temporary, home. Good luck!

[Arlene]

He is beautiful! He looks very young, I'd say closer to 2. His BC is good. Normal is 80. BTw, I have my ferrets in 2 Martins cages that I originally bought for the rats. They fit fine. You shouldn't have to do much modification for him. Give him a hug from Auntie Arlene!