| Ferrets are no different to human beings when it | | | | Adrenal or insulinoma are potential killers if not caught |
| comes to illnesses, except in one major area. | | | | and dealt with early enough. They have very similar |
| Although they are normally healthy enough, a major | | | | symptoms to many other ailments, both major and |
| disease can be fatal in a very short period of time; | | | | minor such has difficulty in using the hind legs, pawing |
| so they need watching over. | | | | at the mouth, staring out into space etc., so if your |
| The first sign that all is not well is usually found in | | | | pet starts to show any of these symptoms get it to |
| their behaviour. If they seem to be lethargic or aren't | | | | the Vet. |
| tearing around in their usual manner when out of the | | | | Ferrets also have seizures or fits. This can be |
| cage, take a closer look. Are their eyes dull? Is there | | | | brought on my low sugar levels in the blood and if |
| a loss of appetite? Is there a lack of bowel | | | | your Ferret does have one, you can try rubbing |
| movement? | | | | Honey or Syrup on its gums, in order to help it come |
| The litter tray is good place to go to next. Check to | | | | out of a seizure and then get it to the Vet as quickly |
| see that their stools are normal and not 'pencil' thin, if | | | | as you can. |
| they are, this could suggest some kind of intestinal | | | | There are a couple of other important things you |
| blockage. Any unusual bowel movement, affecting | | | | should look for which I will quickly cover. |
| colour and texture, should heighten the alert status; if | | | | Ferrets do not like to be hot; overheating can lead to |
| there is no change in 24 hours gets in touch with the | | | | a loss of life from relatively low temperatures. |
| Vet. | | | | Therefore, like a dog, you should never leave a |
| Loose skin generally suggests dehydration and | | | | Ferret in a car and if you do leave it outside on a hot |
| dehydration is dangerous, especially in small animals. | | | | day, ensure that it is has shade and a cool place to lie |
| Make sure that your pet has access to an adequate | | | | with plenty of water. |
| supply of water and try to get it to drink more. | | | | Internally, you shouldn't put its bed or cage right next |
| Failing that, it's another trip to the Vet's where they | | | | to radiators and you shouldn't allow it to 'nest and |
| will be able provide subcutaneous fluids and can take | | | | rest' under radiators either. |
| a closer look at the cause. | | | | Hair loss is also something to be aware of. Twice a |
| Another sign of dehydration is diarrhea; this can be | | | | year a Ferret will molt i.e. shed its existing fur for a |
| caused by milk products. Ferrets are not lactose | | | | new growth and this is normal. What is not normal is |
| tolerant so if you have fed it a milk base product | | | | if the Ferret starts to shed huge lumps of fur from |
| within the previous 24 hours, you can probably put | | | | the tail forward and there is no re-growth of new |
| down the diarrhea to that, but as usual keep a close | | | | fur. This can be an indication that there is a tumour |
| eye on your pet and monitor its condition - the 24 | | | | of the Adrenal gland and that it has Adrenal disease. |
| hour rule will apply here as well. | | | | And of course, Ferrets do vomit! This could be for a |
| A swollen and painful stomach can also suggest a | | | | number of simple straightforward reasons such |
| problem. This could be due to an intestinal blockage | | | | spitting up a hair ball during molting or a reaction to |
| or something more serious such as heart or major | | | | over excitement. The next action as usual, is to |
| organ disease. | | | | carefully observe your pet to ensure that the vomit |
| Tumors are quite common in Ferrets. Signs of tumors | | | | does not contain blood and is not continuous. |
| will be swellings, usually on the feet but of course, | | | | Ferrets can catch colds and flu and their symptoms |
| they can be anywhere on the body. A tumour isn't | | | | are very similar to our own. Sneezing, runny noses, |
| necessarily life threatening; if it is | | | | watery eyes and lethargy. The Ferret will normally |
| benign(non-cancerous), you have the choice of having | | | | slow down and drink a lot, but if it persists, get to |
| it removed however, any unusual lumps that appear | | | | the vet. |
| on your pet should be investigated by the Vet, he | | | | The list and advice could fill volumes of articles, but |
| will be able to take a tissue sample and perform a | | | | as you can see from the information above, Ferrets |
| biopsy to determine whether it is | | | | are prone to all sorts of illnesses and ailments - some |
| malignant(cancerous) or benign. | | | | minor, others more serious. |
| Something to be aware of, especially in older Ferrets, | | | | The recommended action as always, is to observe |
| is the sudden loss of active use of their hind quarters. | | | | your pet if it starts to show signs of unfamiliar |
| This can be nothing more than Rheumatism setting in, | | | | behaviour and a physical change to its body, if you |
| or a reaction to a back or spinal injury, usually caused | | | | are concerned get the animal to the Vet |
| by aggressive and active play, but this can also be a | | | | straightaway. |
| major sign of something more serious. | | | | |