Vet believes Snorri has an upper GI bleed, commonly known as an ulcer. They are not uncommon in ferrets. So it's four medicines, subcutaneous fluids as needed (syringes and backups acquired), and close monitoring. It should respond to treatment.

So, many of you realize this, but for those who don't: MSPCA Angell Shelter in Jamaica Plain has guinea pigs available for adoption. Like this pretty boy: BernieWhile it depends on the pig, they often have amazingly friendly and sociable pigs who come to the front of the cage for petting and salad. So, should you or someone you know be ( Read more... )

I just gave a ferret a bath. It was surprisingly easy considering previous efforts. Apparently the key is to overprepare, and never let go of the scruff of her neck. I just scruffed her, lowered her into the water, then poured over her shampoo well diluted with water, a little scrub, dunk, pour on conditioner with water, rub, dunk, and dump in ( Read more... )

Poll What do you know about adpotion?

I've been talking up available animals to friends in case they know anyone interested in adopting from the MSPCA Angell shelter in Jamaica Plain, and a ton of people say, "I had no idea they had x!" If you want the answers, look at my reply or comments.

Pennsic? Pennsic. Pennsicpennsicpennsic! I should be sewing.

So I co-autocratted the world's lowest maintenance event today. It went well, everyone appeared to be having a good time. No injuries except me cutting myself before the event, and no money, so no financial reporting forms! Yay.

A research survey of clinical trials comparing Health at Every Size with reducing diet/exercise. http://www.nutritionj.com/content/10/1/9Read more... )

What the heck? Is it very common for people's hobbies to be "I play a few video games, watch sports, and go to bars?" I ask new acquaintances what they do for fun, and I get some variation on that. Am I spoiled by the SCA and nerdery? How can people not have anything interactive that they do for fun? Okay, video games can be interactive and can ( Read more... )

Just now I went in to give Snorri some more food, as they've actually eaten most of their AM meal and he was staring pathetically at me (this is one of his two major hobbies, the other being creating the largest possible mess). I put the bone-in chicken in the dish, and then the weirdest thing happened: Snorri started chewing it and then carried a ( Read more... )

The first 6 months we had Snorri the Viking Ferret, I tried to train him. But it was like his tiny brain short circuited at the smell of treats and the only thing he could do was climb me to get to the treat hand, and beg. And not even a decent "beg on hind paws," which was one of the tricks, just a plain old stand there on all 4s and look ( Read more... )