I think I'm developing an allergy towards my ferret! What can I do?
I've considered giving her a bath to see if it helps, because she's never had one (she's like a cat - she doesn't need baths), but she's terrified of water so I want to avoid it if possible.
Should I be worried, and is there anything I can do to correct the issue and avoid eventually having to get rid of her?
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M$5 Answers
Like someone else suggested, it would be good to talk to a dermatologist. Find out exactly what you're allergic to. Also check out the ferret's environment ... what kind of litter do you use? Sometimes people are allergic to one kind of litter but not another. What does the ferret sleep in? Do you wash the ferret's bedding weekly? (You're supposed to give them stuff like old tshirts and polar fleece to sleep in, not shredded rodent bedding or wood shavings.) If you're allergic to dust, keep the environment vacuumed, since the ferret's fur will pick up dust and transfer it to you.
As for giving a ferret a bath, how can you tell she's afraid of water? What does she do? I have ferrets who literally *scream* if I try to put them under running water, but if I fill the sink and gently lower them in, they aren't happy, but aren't scared, either. There are anti-allergen shampoos for ferrets, or you could just try rinsing her off in warm water and drying her. If it's an environmental thing, that should rinse it off without stripping the fur of the oils.
If you're allergic to the ferret oils, you'll have to do the "washing after handling and moisturize" thing like I do. But first, you really should go and find out exactly what it is that's causing the rash.
Good luck. I hope you don't have to give her away. There are SO many homeless ferrets out there.
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M$
His allergies were first diagnosed by an allergist after his first birthday when he played in his cake, his skin became red with little bumps that looked like mosquito bites. When we saw the doctor she told us we were very lucky because that is not a good sign and nothing to play with, we now carry epi pens everywhere we go.
I've included a source with some useful information. I really hope it's not your ferret. It took us a while to figure out why some dogs bothered our son and some didn't, when he was tested dogs weren't a major allergen for him but Frontline was, so you never know you have to look at all of the angles. Good luck.
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M$
Check out this link and scroll down to the header Thinking of Giving Away Your Farret? and look at the fourth paragraph down. http://www.wuzzles.com/ferrets/documents/generalferretinformationf.htm
Since she's not used to baths, maybe you could find a groomer who handles ferrets and give her a make-over. And while she's there, you can give her living area a good spring cleaning and see if that helps. My guess is that there is an item that she rolls in (maybe the shavings?) that gets on her and when she plays with you... it irritates your skin.
I hope you get this mystery figured out and get back to having fun with your baby girl! Good luck.
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M$
Thanks BPP! She's always had the same litter and food (with only a little variation in treats), so i don't think those are the problem, but she could probably use some new blankets - she's had the same ones since I got her and they never seem to come completely clean in the wash (her fur sticks to everything). No harm in trying, I guess (and now I have a Christmas present for her.. new blankies!)
Wow, a Ferret groomer?! I have doubts that such a think exists in this city! I had a hard enough time finding a vet for her!
Thanks again BPP!
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M$You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Wow, awesome answer!
It would make sense that the cold dry air would influence, because it started right around the time it started getting cold out; I can't remember whether I got this last year or not, but it seemed to start roughly when she started growing her winter coat. It's always on my arms or my chest (where she touches me), and I've never tried to moisturize after, but I definitely will try it.
As for litter I use Yesterday's News, it's what I've always used (or another brand of the same thing - I can't remember the name of it, but it's almost identical) and I always make sure to get unscented. She spends very little time in her cage and typically sleep in my drawers or laundry hamper (I make sure to wash my clothes with unscented soap) or on a blanket I leave out for her. As for her cage, she has a hammock and one of those crinkle tubes that she spends all her time in, with a couple towels and some pet blankets from the dollar store - no wood shavings or anything like that! They do get washed, but probably not as often as they should, since I do laundry infrequently, but I try to rotate them every couple of weeks.
Fear of water - I am DEFINITELY planning to video tape the bath, since it's going to be hilarious (and I'm going to feel really mean doing it), and you'll see what I mean. She doesn't squeal but her whole body goes tense and she makes every attempt to crawl up my arm and escape from it. It she gets water dripped on her (such as when she stands under me when I wash dishes) she goes absolutely psycho. I've put her the tub with just a fraction of an inch of warm water before and she stood there like a scared cat, completely tense, and refused to move, until I got close enough that she jumped on me. I'm not sure she's EVER had a bath, since I adopted her, but I do have some ferret shampoo, so I'll give it a try.. I've been putting it off because I feel so mean doing it!
But I'll definitely try the things you suggested, and hopefully it works!
And I certainly wouldn't get rid of her if I didn't have to, I'm just worried about it become a more severe allergy and I'll have no choice! Having to leave her would definitely break my heart - in fact, I'm planning on getting more! (When money allows for it, of course)
Thanks again for the answer!
I doubt it's the Yesterday's News. That's just shredded newspaper. Make sure you moisturize *before* handling your ferret, or it will trap the allergens against your skin. Moisturizing helps your skin's natural defenses. And *certainly* don't be getting another ferret if you're allergic to this one! LOL! More ferrets=more allergens.