Adding New Ferrets Problem

Question
I have had 1 ferret(Inuyasha) for 4 years and a few weeks ago I got 2 new ones(Spunky & Chaos). At first Inuyasha was scared of them and they were fine. Now Inuyasha is fine and the new ones are scared and won't come out of the cat condo in their room. I just noticed that Spunky is getting really thin and I've been trying to see if he is eating and losing weight or not eating at all but I can't tell since all three of the ferrets eat from the same bowl out of their cages and in their cages Spunky & Chaos are together.  
I was wondering if he might not be eating from because he is scared or because he misses his previous owner who had him & Chaos for about 2 years. Or could he just be so scared that he is eating and still losing weight.

Answer
Hi Jessica:

You are 'right on' in your suspicions that the new kids may well be missing their old familiar home/owner (no matter if it was a good home or not, it was familiar).

No doubt Inuyasha has already established with the new ferrets that she is 'the boss' (Alpha) ferret, so they are now to be subordinate, where possibly Spunky was the Alpha ferret in their previous home.  It's just a lot of changes for him to go through all at once.

The first thing I would ask is whether any or all of the ferrets have diarrhea that has not subsided within a day or two.  It's normal for them to have it for a day or two because of the changes. As long as it's not for a long time, we won't worry about it.  There is always the possibility that your Inuyasha was a silent carrier of ECE and you didn't find out until you brought in other ferrets and possibly Spunky caught it (it's extremely contagious). So that's one possibility.  If Spunky has diarrhea, especially if it is green and explosive - he needs to get to the vet.

If there is no diarrhea lasting more than a day or two, you only have to worry about whether he is eating and/or drinking. Stopping eating OR drinking can kill a ferret in a short time.

You can get something called "Hill's A/D feline/canned" at your vet's office (it's a prescription diet); take about a tablespoon of it, warm in microwave, then add some water to make it the thickness and warmth of gravy that you would eat with your mashed potatoes :-)   There are many other recipes online for ferret 'gravy', but I prefer A/D because it is specially formulated with a very high level of protein that is easily digested, a high fat level, and will really help a strugging or sick ferret back on his/her feet quickly.  I always keep A/D on hand at my house for any signs of weight loss or illness.  The best thing you can do is keep a ferret well hydrated (fluids) and fed. They will often eat this when they won't eat kibble....AND you know he ate it if he was sitting on your lap being fed his 'gravy'.

You can also use chicken or turkey (meat only) baby food - much easier to obtain and good for them too.  Just warm it and dip your finger in it, then on the ferret's nose or just inside his lip on his gums until he gets a few good tastes of it and will eat it willinly from the dish.

Use the above method of introducing ANY gravy type meat (homemade, baby food or A/D) until they get used to it - then they will consider it a treat...and it IS...a very healthy one as a matter of fact!

I would strongly suggest that you get some baby food, warm a bit in a bowl or dish and dip your finger in, then into his mouth - repeat as long as necessary to KNOW that he has eaten. If he takes it over and eats on his own, great. If you have to feed the whole amount to him with your finger (or a large feeding syringe with needle removed if you happen to have one of those), then do it. It doesn't matter how he gets it down, just that he does.   NEVER squirt food down a ferret's' throat with a syringe...use it only to put small amounts in the ferret's mouth to eat.  A ferret can choke if he is fighting the feeding too hard, so it's always a good idea to feed in a quiet, relaxing area and take your time, gently encouraging him to eat.  If you can get to a store, you can do this yet tonight.....and I think I would from what you're saying in your question.....he may not have eaten or drank for days and may be very close to death without food and water.

HOW TO CHECK YOUR FERRET FOR DEHYDRATION: Pinch up the skin on the back of your ferret's neck and lift it up, then let go.....if it stays 'tented' up, your ferret is dehydrated and I strongly suggest you get him to any vet and ask them to give him some sub-Q fluids...then you can come home and start attempting to feed him. You an also add Pedialyte (get it in grocery or drug store in the baby aisle) and try to get some of that down him, BUT if he's dehydrated you probably can't get enough fluids down to make enough of a difference to save his life.  Dehydration affects the kidneys and if he doesn't get fluid and lots of it (if the dehydration test shows he is dehydrated) as soon as possible. Dehydration will kill a ferret much quicker than not eating - but that "skinniness" you are feeling may well be dehydrated tissues, so it's very important to check any time your ferret is sick or you suspect his is not eating or drinking.

It is actually fairly common for ferrets who are re-homed to have anywhere from mild to very serious (sometimes deadly) reactions to changing homes. It is NOT something to take lightly. You must act and act quickly if he is dehydrated, especially, or his kidneys could shut down and kill him. Please, if he is dehydrated, get some sub-Q fluids for him?    Most people don't realize how emotional ferrets are and how much it upsets them to be re-homed. It can even kill them if not treated promptly and properly. Lots and lots of love, cuddling, and even your feeding him the gravy will help him bond to you...which he really needs to do right now.

Best of luck - I'd love to hear in a few days or so that he has started eating and playing.  My thoughts and prayers are with him and with you - DO NOT separate him from the other ferrets........just feed him "gravy" on your lap FOUR TIMES A DAY so that you know he is eating. Hopefully within a few days of eating, and seeing that nobody in his new home is going to hurt him, he will pick up and start eating and drinking normally again...

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers