Post by huronna on Oct 25, 2008 7:55:30 GMT -5
Blindness
by Lily
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In general, ferrets have somewhat poor vision. Ferrets are extremely nearsighted and have poor depth perception. Ferrets see best at dusk and dawn (dim light). Actually, prolonged exposure to bright light has been found to sometimes damage an albino's eyes.
Although I do not have a blind ferret, we have noticed that our albino ferrets tend to have poorer vision than the others. Especially our albino ferret named Doggie. It is very possible that Doggie's vision is getting worse as he ages. Impaired vision, or loss of vision, can be quite common in ferrets, especially in the older ones.
Having a blind ferret does not mean you have an unhappy ferret. Blind ferrets lead the same happy, fun filled lives as other ferrets, and you, as an informed ferret parent, can help with that.
How do I know if my ferret is blind?
If a ferret develops a cataract, it can be seen easily, as a white, milky film on the eye. Detecting blindness in a ferret without a noticeable cataract is sometimes not as apparent.
Some signs to watch for:
Running along and going right into the wall or a piece of furniture
Running into a closed door that is normally kept open.
Running into a piece of furniture that you recently moved or re-arranged.
Running into a box or large object you place in the middle of the room or normal walkway of the ferret.
Stumbling or falling off the edge of a stair.
Startles easily when approached by you or other ferrets or when picked up (when it is quiet and you do not talk before you pick them up or make any sounds)
Nervous of venturing out of, or far from, their cage or sleeping area.
Not turning away when holding them very close to your face
Holding their head to the side, as if a dog who is listening to something (zeroing in on a sound)
A Vet can try to diagnose blindness by using a light scope to look deep into their eyes for cataracts that may be deep seated. However, your Vet may not be able to diagnose blindness in the ferret for certain, and sometimes, you can only tell by watching their behavior.
How bad is it for my ferret if they are blind?
All the folks I have talked to with blind ferrets and all the ones I have read about (many), all say the same thing. Their blind ferrets work around it, are not bothered by it at all, and are just as happy as any other ferret. These folks do, however, take a few extra steps in helping to keep their blind ferret's lives less stressful.
How can I help them?
Always talk to your ferret before you pick them up or touch them. Let them know you are there so they are less likely to be startled.
Keep a radio or TV on during the day (if there isn't a lot of other activity and noises going on). Blind ferrets are very responsive to sound and it helps them realize it is day time.
Hold them safe and secure against your chest when carrying them around the house.
Houseproof accordingly. Take a few extra measures with their blindness in mind. i.e., a barrier in front of the stairwell or loft if you have one. Try to be aware of not leaving objects in the normal walkways or doorways that your ferret uses.
Try not to re-arrange things in their living space (cage or room) or home. If you do, make slow changes. You can even try "showing" them the way, by gently rubbing them along so they pick up their scent on the carpet so that will help them find their way the next time.
If you move, take it one ferret-proofed room at a time and let them learn the lay of the land, slowly.
Talk to your ferret a lot. Let them hear the sound of your voice. It will become a welcome and reassuring sound.
Will they still get along with other ferrets?
If you have multiple ferrets and one goes blind as they age, chances are your blind ferret will continue to get along with your other ferrets the same way they did before they lost their sight. However, they still may get a little annoyed or startled if the others sneak up quietly on them.
A new ferret that has never been around others is sometimes difficult to introduce even when they are not blind. When they are blind, it may complicate things a bit more. Still, some learn to get along, or at least tolerate the others in time.
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Research Credits: L.Vanessa Ouder, Ferrets Magazine, Paw Prints, Ferret Association of Connecticut, Dobro & Furry Angels
by Lily
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
In general, ferrets have somewhat poor vision. Ferrets are extremely nearsighted and have poor depth perception. Ferrets see best at dusk and dawn (dim light). Actually, prolonged exposure to bright light has been found to sometimes damage an albino's eyes.
Although I do not have a blind ferret, we have noticed that our albino ferrets tend to have poorer vision than the others. Especially our albino ferret named Doggie. It is very possible that Doggie's vision is getting worse as he ages. Impaired vision, or loss of vision, can be quite common in ferrets, especially in the older ones.
Having a blind ferret does not mean you have an unhappy ferret. Blind ferrets lead the same happy, fun filled lives as other ferrets, and you, as an informed ferret parent, can help with that.
How do I know if my ferret is blind?
If a ferret develops a cataract, it can be seen easily, as a white, milky film on the eye. Detecting blindness in a ferret without a noticeable cataract is sometimes not as apparent.
Some signs to watch for:
Running along and going right into the wall or a piece of furniture
Running into a closed door that is normally kept open.
Running into a piece of furniture that you recently moved or re-arranged.
Running into a box or large object you place in the middle of the room or normal walkway of the ferret.
Stumbling or falling off the edge of a stair.
Startles easily when approached by you or other ferrets or when picked up (when it is quiet and you do not talk before you pick them up or make any sounds)
Nervous of venturing out of, or far from, their cage or sleeping area.
Not turning away when holding them very close to your face
Holding their head to the side, as if a dog who is listening to something (zeroing in on a sound)
A Vet can try to diagnose blindness by using a light scope to look deep into their eyes for cataracts that may be deep seated. However, your Vet may not be able to diagnose blindness in the ferret for certain, and sometimes, you can only tell by watching their behavior.
How bad is it for my ferret if they are blind?
All the folks I have talked to with blind ferrets and all the ones I have read about (many), all say the same thing. Their blind ferrets work around it, are not bothered by it at all, and are just as happy as any other ferret. These folks do, however, take a few extra steps in helping to keep their blind ferret's lives less stressful.
How can I help them?
Always talk to your ferret before you pick them up or touch them. Let them know you are there so they are less likely to be startled.
Keep a radio or TV on during the day (if there isn't a lot of other activity and noises going on). Blind ferrets are very responsive to sound and it helps them realize it is day time.
Hold them safe and secure against your chest when carrying them around the house.
Houseproof accordingly. Take a few extra measures with their blindness in mind. i.e., a barrier in front of the stairwell or loft if you have one. Try to be aware of not leaving objects in the normal walkways or doorways that your ferret uses.
Try not to re-arrange things in their living space (cage or room) or home. If you do, make slow changes. You can even try "showing" them the way, by gently rubbing them along so they pick up their scent on the carpet so that will help them find their way the next time.
If you move, take it one ferret-proofed room at a time and let them learn the lay of the land, slowly.
Talk to your ferret a lot. Let them hear the sound of your voice. It will become a welcome and reassuring sound.
Will they still get along with other ferrets?
If you have multiple ferrets and one goes blind as they age, chances are your blind ferret will continue to get along with your other ferrets the same way they did before they lost their sight. However, they still may get a little annoyed or startled if the others sneak up quietly on them.
A new ferret that has never been around others is sometimes difficult to introduce even when they are not blind. When they are blind, it may complicate things a bit more. Still, some learn to get along, or at least tolerate the others in time.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Research Credits: L.Vanessa Ouder, Ferrets Magazine, Paw Prints, Ferret Association of Connecticut, Dobro & Furry Angels
