Ferret Depression (Now with updated shelter links at the bottom)

Question
QUESTION:        Four years ago this past december, I adopted a female ferret, Sapphire,
from a friend, who had rescued her from abuse. I'm her fifth owner (as far we
could tell, veterinary records were lacking because she hadn't seen a vet), and
have had her for four years now. The summer after getting Sapphire, we
bought baby ferret, Ruby, as a companion for her. Sapphire obviously had to
establish herself as the dominant one, but they immediately bonded, with
sapphire acting like a mother it seemed.
     Over the past 3 1/2 years, Sapphire has had adrenal disease. It started
with a small bald patch just above her tail, and would grow. We've been doing
the lupron injections for her on and off. They said she should just require
three treatments, one injection a month for three months. She would get
better for a year or 2. This past summer, the patch spread completely up
back, leaving only her shoulders and head with fur. We resumed the
injections, however recently she died the night after New years eve leaving
Ruby alone. We put her in front of Ruby for a minute so she would see that
Sapphire was dead, and immediately she started smelling and licking her. The
day she died and the after (yesterday), she didn't eat any food and just slept. I
suspect that she's depressed, however don't know what to do about it. She
started to eat again today, however she still sleeps a lot, especially on my lap
in a bag which she hasn't done since she was a kit. I'm going to be paying her
extra attention over the next few weeks especially, however I wonder what
else i should do. S
   he's approximately 3 1/2 or four, and a relatively small female who's been
used to living with another female her whole life. If i get another ferret, I want
to get a female and preferably a kit so that Ruby can establish herself as the
dominant one. My fear of getting a male is that it could be to much of a
shock for her. My mom thought that getting another may not help because
Ruby was so attatched to Sapphire, that another ferret may just be an
"imposter". Any general words of advice in terms of dealing with a
"depressed" ferret would be helpful, as well as advice about when to get
another ferret and things to consider.
  Thank you!

ANSWER: Hello Ben,

I am so sorry about the loss of your little Sapphire. That is a difficult thing to experience for parents as well as little fuzzbutts.

It is totally plausible that Ruby would have lingering feelings of depression right now. I have known some ferrets to actually pass away from a broken heart after their cage mate passes. There are a few things that you can be doing to help ease her broken heart, but I think you are already doing them! Keep showing her extra special attention and let her know that you are special to her and that you are still here for her. Play and love and love some more!

While getting a new kit may seem like you are just trying to 'replace' Sapphire, there is no way any ferret could replace Sapphire in your heart and the same is true for Ruby. No other ferret can take the spot in Ruby's heart that Sapphire has. Getting another kit isn't such a bad idea. That may help Ruby deal with her feelings of depression and start to heal her broken heart and the same may go for you. You are probably going to want to take the introductions slowly and definitely keep them separated for a while, just in case your new little one has some sort of bug that could be given to Ruby. As always with introductions, make sure you are monitoring all of it, but at the same time, don't interfere unless one of the ferrets is literally screaming, bleeding or having the poop scared out of them!

As for your question about the male vs. female, a neutered male and a spayed female are pretty much the same as far as hormones and things go, if you know what I mean. Neutered males aren't generally more aggressive just because their males. They are *generally*... "asexual". It is my experience that a male and a female (both "fixed") get along just as well, if not better than a female and a female (again, both "fixed"). It is totally up to you and what you feel comfortable doing. Either way, it may really help heal her broken heart if she had a new friend to romp with.

I hope this information helps and if you have further questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to let me know. Again, I am extremely sorry for your loss and I wish you and Ruby the best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

And please feel free to let me know how everything goes.

Sincerely ,
Emilee Andrews

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi, thanks for the speedy reply! If I was choosing between a young kit and a
ferret comparable to Ruby's age, which would be better? Buying a kit may
encourage ruby to act maternally, and I imagine she would take to it easily
enough after a few days because she's used to living with another ferret. But
would I have major problems getting one that's her age?

My next question is what is your opinion on Marshall Farms bred ferrets?
They seem to be the company that Super Pet buys from, but I've heard many
things about them, including that they spay the animals at to young an age
which can lead to adrenal disease. Is this a concern that you share? If so, are
there any other companies or breeders that you know of? By the way, I'm in
Southwestern Ontario (London).

ANSWER: Hello again, Ben,

I have heard that spaying/neutering too early can lead to adrenal disease and it definitely is a concern for me, as it is for many ferret parents. Personally, I think Marshall's is a horrible company, but their ferrets are just as lovable. All three of our kids are Marshall ferrets and we love them so dearly! Whether or not you want to purchase a Marshall's ferret is totally your decision. I'm sorry I can't help you further.

As for ferret rescues around you (or hopefully in your area), here are a few helpful links that I found:

http://www.animalrescuers.co.uk/html/ferrets.html
http://www.gemferret.co.uk/rescue_links.htm
http://www.southstaffsferrets.co.uk/links.html
http://www.britishferretclub.co.uk/rescuesandwelfares.htm#148384518

I hope you can find one in your area and find your perfect little fert for you and Ruby! I might suggest purchasing/rescuing a ferret that is around the same age as Ruby, as the energy and stamina of a brand new kit could possibly annoy Ruby, but I'm not sure. You definitely know her best, so it is up to you. Maybe, if you decide to adopt from a shelter, you could take Ruby with you and she can pick out her new friend with you. I would make sure that the shelter you want to adopt from is free from all communicable diseases before doing that, however.

I hope this helps you and if you need clarification or if you have further questions or concerns, then please don't hesitate to ask! Good luck and please let me know how the search goes!

Sincerely,
Emilee Andrews



***FOLLOW-UP***


Oh, my goodness, Ben, I am so sorry. You said Ontario right there and I totally missed it - I am so sorry again! You must think I am ridiculous. Here are some new links for you! Hopefully I got it right this time:

http://london.kijiji.ca/f-ferret-pets-W0QQCatIdZ112QQKeywordZferret
http://www.supportourshelters.org/SOS-ShelterList.html

Let me know if you need anything else! Again, sorry for the mix up!

Sincerely,
Emilee Andrews

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you! No worries about the ontario-UK mix-up, it actually happens a
fair bit on the internet. Having done some research, I share your concerns
about Marshall farms' treatment. Are their any other large-scale reputable
breeders that you know of that ship to Super Pet or other chains? Ruby is a
Marshall ferret, but if there are other companies, I'd like to explore those
options, if you know of any.

Answer
Hello again, Ben,

Here is a link that will lead you to some shelters and vets in Canada and maybe they can help you with your search for a new baby! Personally, I think adopting from a shelter would be the greatest thing for you to do, because not only do you give a previously "unwanted" ferret a forever, loving home, but you will probably end up with a fuzz butt that is closer to Ruby's age and energy level. Also, I was unsuccessful at tracking down a commercial breeder for you! I apologize!

Anyway here is the link:

http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-canada.html

I hope you find your perfect fert and if you have any other problems, questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to ask!

Good luck and feel free to keep me updated!

Sincerely,
Emilee Andrews