Well, Wicket and no-name had an incident this morning during their medicine time. They got a brand new giant cage last night, similar to a ferret nation but the all living things brand, which overall was a good purchase I think. Lots of toys and from the clacking I heRd last night they are doing something during the night, perhaps hatching plans for world domination, who knows. So I get one this morning no problem. I was able to put the fleece bag out and she sniffed and was able to kinda just cover her and pick up before the wiggling started. Then wicket appeared. Went for a grab, missed and she goes flying past my face out into my wide open room. Well I went after her with the fleece not my hand and was able to grab her but she wriggled and I had her tail. Have I hurt her tail at all? I was able to get medicine but she was really wailing and I'm honestly so worried with this medicine stuff I'm sending mixed signals. I try to give treats afterwards but they are scared and seem to always be upset, so I'm grabbing them in fleece and yet trying to hold them and make them comfortable....I just worry I hurt her tail or they are associating me with bad things even though I'm just trying to help them not be sick.....I'm just so worried!!! They are fine with me being out and putting my hands out in the cage, but I don't know if that's a good sign or not. They also hardly crab in the pouch.....this is progress right? It has only been a week so I'm trying to calm down haha. We also started a transfer to BML which will be complete tonight so I'm hoping they are ok with that as well as it's been about a 4 day transfer.

Their tails are a bit frail, so just watch for how they move it. I have worried about that a time or two myself when I've had to catch them and just end up with the tail.

I wish I had some comforting advise on how to keep the bonding process going, but it really sounds like you are doing as best as you can under the circumstances.

I do do have one question. How long do they have to be on med before the Giardia isn't contagious and you won't have to so thoroughly clean their cage every day?

They are scent oriented, and mark their territory. If they can mark like their sleeping pouch, maybe they will feel safe if it smells the same all the time? If they can feel somewhat safe somewhere, they should start to calm. Maybe use some blankies with your scent in their sleeping pouch change every day?

Dawn is correct about the tail, the closer you are to the butt the better.

With you having fleece in your hand, hopefully she won't associate your hand with the grab.

The Giardia hopefully fingers crossed will be gone by Monday. It's hard because they poop all over their bags and fleece, especially being scared of taking the meds so I have to wash their stuff multiple times a day! vet appointment on Monday will hopefully be clear!!! I know they mark everything but I'm also trying to clean up poop and food and pee and still hopefully have them get used to my scent and not be scared and not rip their tails off..... they are still sleeping in the bags so they must still like it and hopefully they don't associate my scent and giant head with bad and scared.....it's very stressful bonding and illness as a new owner haha. Fingers crossed it's all going well!