[Sharon]

This little creature was born with numerous deformities as a result of random genetic mutation or possibly congential defect. His lower teeth protruded almost to his eyes and had to be cut back; he could only ever eat liquid food. His body was half the normal length and rounded with a short, stubby tail; it was harder for him to get around but he managed, sometimes dragging his back legs as he got older. With specialist care and lots of love he was able to live comfortably enough to the age of seven, which isn't bad for any ferret.

Brachycephalic ferrets are sometimes referred to as pug ferrets and Ewok was to a healthy ferret what a modern pug is to a healthy mutt. It's not just pugs either - almost every pedigree breed and 'designer' crossbreed dog possesses deliberately engineered deformities that make their lives more difficult to some degree, if not as much so as the pug's. Unnaturally selecting a species to become tiny, giant, long, squat, flat-faced, bulgy eyed, fluffy, bald or any other extreme is always going to leave them vulnerable to painful consequences. Breathing problems, cherry eye, infected skin wrinkles, luxating patella, intervertebral disc disease, syringomyelia, hip and elbow dysplasia and the hundreds of other common inherited conditions all add up to one thing: suffering.


'Rambo' had been born with congenital deformities and resembled a horsehoe bat...



crossed with a baby panda...



but had, nonetheless, been saved and cared for by a Scottish gamekeeper for four years. The gamekeeper was terminally ill and he contacted the rescue to find a good home for 'Rambo'. He made his new owner promise not to put him in with other ferrets because they'd hurt him.


Facial deformity has been documented in ferrets and when it's flat like this they are known as 'bracycephalic' or 'pug' ferrets. Unfortunately some are even selected for breeding but this certainly hadn't been the case. He also had a short round body - nothing like the long slinky ones that define ferrets - and a stumpy tail. He was called 'Rambo' as he charged around furiously like a little tank but was renamed Ewok.


His enormous bottom canines were trimmed back from his eyes and his lower jaw didn't fit with the upper so he could only eat liquid food which my husband made every day from soaked, blended kibble. His tongue always looked huge in such a short mouth.


Because of his flat face he snored and it was worrying when he needed anaesthetic so instead of having him neutered, regular chemical castration implants under his skin were used.


Ewok still ran around and played like a normal ferret. He often slept with his tongue hanging out and it would go dry and take a while to fit back in his mouth again.


His continence was never great so he needed regular baths in which he resembled an otter cub.


He died aged about seven.

http://rescue4life.org/

[Xfactor]

The panda would be a great pet.

[Faline]

aww

[Bastet]

Aaww the last pic *weeps like a little girl* Touching story overall.

[kellyhound]

great to see someone took care of him
last pic