the damage Ive done... how to fix?

Question
Hi, I am looking for the answers to a couple of questions.
I have 2 ferrets, both are males. One is 4 and one is 3years old.
I feel sick to my stomach because I know the conditions they have been dealing with is neglect. I am a Junior in high school, and I know that it is not an excuse, but they rarely get out of their cage!
It has been such a long stretch of time that they barely get out that both have developed aweful personalities.
One is partially bald from the stress. This same one, the older one is also extremely thin despite eating. I watch him eat, I know he does, but he will not gain weight. He has always been naturally small, especialy in comparison to the other very large ferret, but he is exceptionally thin now. It worries me greatly.
This thin one bites and scratches in the cage constantly. When I let him out now, he gnaws on everything in my room, which makes it difficult to want to let him out at all, but I know it is my own doing that this has happened.

I feel aweful for my ferrets. I want to attempt to make it better for them, how do I even attempt to un do the damage I've caused on them?! Is there hope in finding the well behaved, sweet, happy ferrets I once had?

If I fail at making their lives better, I do want to give them better owners who can care for them, but I am worried they won't get ones who will care about them if they are so nippy now... I at least know I will feed, water, and change their cage. But I fear if I do give them up, no decent people will want "bad" ferrets.

Neither of my ferrets have ever been to a vet over all the years I have had them, they only had whatever the pet shop gave them before I bought them.
I have not done this out of neglect, but merely lack of financial means. I am a teenager, and I am only  just getting a job. My parents never had the extra money to let me take either of my ferrets to a vet.
What should I do? If I save up some money, what should be my priority for them? Any shots? A basic check up? What?
I'm almost too afraid to know what the results of a basic check up for my older ferrets would be. He is overly thin, partially bald from stress, and his butt has has strange scabs for at least a year.
Can ferrets teeth grow too long? If that is so, I am nervous that has happened as well, that would explain why he gnaws on things constantly now... including a nice jab in my finger...

Please help me,
I want so desperately to right my wrongs and make the lives of my precious ferrets so much better.

Answer
Hello Chelsey.

It is unfortunate about what has happened, but you ARE doing the right thing by making amends.  That is what counts.  It is so often that neglected ferrets get dumped into shelters rather than an owner taking the time and responsibility for rehabilitation.  They live out their lives without a loving owner, since biters are rarely adopted.  Only someone with A LOT of experience and time can change behavioral problems.  If you are willing, you can make a WORLD of difference to your two ferrets.

First of all, both of them should be seen by a veterinarian for a checkup.  I am concerned for your thin one who is loosing fur.  It could be anything from allergies, mites or adrenal disease... the causes of these symptoms are endless.  Stress is an unlikely cause.  Please have him looked at ASAP by a vet.  You might end up saving his life if it turns out to be a condition that worsens with time.  I am more concerned about a medical checkup for them both at this time if money is a concern.  You can get the vaccinations at a later date.

Now to address some of the behavioral problems.  

Ferrets have boundless energy that becomes a pent up cannon if left in a cage for too long.  The gnawing on the bars/scratching/destruction are likely a direct result of extended time in confinement.  A ferret's teeth are not like a rabbit or hamster.  They do not continuously grow, and the gnawing is a result of boredom from being cage bound rather than a need to chew.  Remember, they need AT LEAST 3-4 hours of interaction with you/playtime to be happy!  I think I would end up chewing on things as well if I were stuck in a cage for weeks =P  

One way to minimize the destruction is to confine them to a bathroom or similar area.  This way, you could interact with them in a small environment as well as allow them sufficient time to run.  The more time the better!!  My ferrets enjoy being in their cage and I sometimes find them curled up in it even with an entire room of snugglies.  Their cage is a "home" rather than a prison and they usually have 8 hrs a day of run-time.  Once you are more confident of your two, you can begin to introduce them back into the larger area for playtime.

The biting will be your biggest challenge.  Is it possible?  The simple answer is yes.  Will it be easy?  The honest answer is no.

The best way to illustrate is with the story of my little girl Salem.  She came from a similar situation; her owner surrendered her to the shelter for a biting problem.  She would nip HARD and not let go.  There were multiple occasions where I had to pull her fangs out of my fingers!  It was NOT easy or fun.  My job was to rehabilitate her in hopes that she would one day be cured and find a good home.  

It took months and months of constant work.  I had to wear shoes in my room at ALL times, and worst of all... she really WANTED to bite.  My method of choice is passive aggression with positive reinforcement.  This means to passively punish bad behavior and reward the good with praise and a treat.  Here is my example:

If she bit, I would not give a reaction (as hard as it is not to yell in pain).  Ferrets ENJOY reactions and sounds, so it is best not to give them what they want!  Then, I would scruff her (this does NOT hurt them), pin her on her back, and make the "hissing" noise of a displeased ferret .  I am sure you know the sound I mean! This is the same sound their mother would use to show her displeasure.  I would also blow in her face and NOT let her go until she gave in.  REMEMBER it is VITAL that you do not put them down after they bite you!!  Too many ferrets learn that biting = down, which is NOT good behavior!  Continue to hold them and repeat the punishment if bitten.  Once they gave in, reward them.  This is the ONLY method I have found work for bad biters.

The most important thing is contact with you.  The more you interact with them, the happier they will be.  It will take time for them to trust you, but it will be worth your effort.  Do all you can to remedy the problem rather than turn to a shelter.  While they will be cared for, they will not be likely to find a forever home.

I will conclude with my ferret, Salem.  Today, she is WONDERFUL with me.  I can hold her, and she gives me kisses.  I can sleep in my room barefoot with her loose.  She knows very well not to nip me!  She does occasional test her limits with a small bite-n-run, but I always reprimand!  Ferrets are give-an-inch-take-a-mile sorts.  I cannot trust her with others because she doesn't trust anyone else.  For this reason, I have decided to keep her.  But, her story only goes to prove that with A LOT of effort and determination your two ferrets can be loving pets once again.  

Whooo sorry this response is so lengthy!  I can certainly elaborate on any part if needed.  I hope this helps, and Please please let me know the progress.  I will be wondering how your two are doing.

-Cindy P.