I couldnt wake my ferret up!

Question
Hi, I am really worried about my little ferret, Hailee.  She is about two years old.  Tonight I went to check on her, I wasn't home to let her out today, and when I tapped on her cage, to wake her up, she didn't respond.  I tried a couple of things to wake her up, but she didn't respond (which is unusual, normally just brushing past the cage will wake her up and I was petting her in her bed and stuff).  I could see that she was breathing, she just wasn't responding, I pulled her out of bed and after a second or two of holding and petting her, she seemed to wake up.  I have been watching her play for a about twenty minutes since then and she seems energetic and everything.  I am just really worried for her.  She has seemed a little bit more tired than normal lately, but nothing that was alarming until this.  She has not been allowed out of her cage very much for the past couple weeks, and I am hoping that that is the reason for this reaction, so that I can fix this by trying to let her out more.  I recently moved and my new room is not ferret proof, she can slip under the door and there is no way to keep her away from power cords and my shoes (she loves chewing on the insides), so I need to be very actively watching her while she plays with her toys and my kitten.  That is another thing that has changed recently.  I adopted a stray kitten, but they play together well, so I don't think that is the reason (although I don't have as much experience as you and maybe that could be affecting her).  I also changed food brands, I don't know if that could affect it, but I just want to list anything that has changed recently.

I would really appreciate your advice, I love her so much and it would really break my heart to lose her.  Please reply as soon as you can.

Thank you, Sherry

Answer
Hi Sherry:

At one time or another every ferret parent experiences this. You can pick up the ferret, shake it, nuzzle it, rub it - whatever you want to do and the ferret appears to be in a catatonic state....just a really deep sleep. It's nothing to be concerned about, although at the time, the owner is usually always sure the ferret has died.  Just continue to stimulate the ferret with rubbing and calling his name for a few minutes (as long as his body is still warm and flexible) and he will eventually come around and give you a look that says "what's the matter with you?" It's a precious, although heart stopping, situation to endure. I remember the first time it happened to me - I was sure the ferret was dead!  By the time he woke up, he was drenched with my tears and I was already wondering what the next step was; should we cremate, bury in the backyard, etc. Boy did I feel silly!

Your concerns about his general activity level lately are not to be ignored though.  Ferrets can become very depressed for almost every reason you listed - moving, another new pet in the house, less playtime.....and changing food can mean he's eating less, which would make him more vulnerable to everything above.  Does he seem lighter to you?  Often when we change their foods we *think* they have changed foods, but he may not be eating as much as he was, or may not be eating at all - be sure to keep a close eye on that.  Here's a food chart.  I don't know what you had him on before or your reason to change (maybe so he and the kitten can share the same food?), but these are the ONLY foods recommended for ferrets....listed in the order according to their nutritive value to ferrets, starting at 10 and going down from there. Please don't feed anything lower than a "9" on the list, no matter what your reason:

   http://www.mdferretpaws.org/care/food_treats.html

Ferrets' energy is directly proportionate to the food they are fed and if he's eating a less nutritious food you will notice a lower energy level and more poop (more fillers in the food that have no nutritional value, so they just pass through).

I hope you can get that ferretproofing done - move it up on the list or priorities while you still can. Ferrets can literally *mourn* themselves to death, even if it's just their previous lifestyle and playtimes they are mourning.  He needs one-on-one time with you and it needs to be now. Find ways to integrate him into your daily routine. Maybe get a harness and leash and take him along whenever you can so he feels 'special'.  He obviously loves you very very much and just needs more 'mommy time'.  Yikes, I just realized I said "he" all thru this and your ferret is a "she"....arrrgh, it's late at night, please forgive me.

I will keep your little girl and you in my thoughts and prayers. If there is anything else I can help with, please don't hesitate to write again. Watch those foods and observe her with more attention and see if that doesn't cure her.  If not, there's always the possibility she's gotten into something and has a blockage going on (watch for skinny or scant poops, swollen tight tummy, gagging or vomiting, pawing at roof of mouth) - if that's the case, get her to the vet; you have an emergency.  Let's hope that's not the case though.  God bless.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers