Ferrets, they’re our feisty, playful, curious, and loving little furry friends; pets with an extreme amount of personality and a knack for getting into trouble with their innate sense of curiosity. It seems we have to protect our ferrets from themselves and the elements around them that cause illness. Like dogs and cats, ferrets also need to be vaccinated and can suffer from illness and disease. Some of these illnesses result from poor hygiene of the ferret’s living quarters, others from malnutrition; some viruses can even be caught from you! It’s important to watch your ferret closely while she plays and watch her health closely through behavioral and external signs.
One human illness that can be passed on from owner to pet is Influenza. Yes, that’s right, your ferret can catch the flu from you, and you can catch it from you ferret. Influenza in ferrets generally causes respiratory problems. (Zarbock, 2005). Lucky for you and your ferret, influenza doesn’t generally last long and is easy for a healthy ferret to get over. With your love and supportive care, a ferret can generally kick the virus in a week or so. While you may find yourself at the vet to figure out what’s wrong with your ferret, as with humans there is nothing you can do to treat the problem save for encourage rest. Make sure there is always fresh water available and try and be as gentle as possible with your ferret. They may not want to be touched or held, or they may like to cuddle with you. Try and figure out what makes your ferret happy and help them recover swiftly.
Another human related illness, although not a contagious one, is urinary stones. Stones that appear in the kidneys or bladder of the ferret causing vomiting, swollen abdomen, pain in the abdomen, blood in the urine or an inability to urinate, loss of appetite, and lethargy. If you notice any of these symptoms seek veterinary assistance immediately as these stones will probably have to be surgically removed. (Ferret Facts, n.d). At times, there are other options such as a diet specially formulated to break down the stones, but this sort of diet is mainly recommended for urinary stone prevention.
The Canine Distemper Virus or CDV is a very serious disease that affects ferrets. Veterinarians will generally advise you to have your ferret vaccinated against the virus as it is nearly 100% fatal if contracted. Signs of the infections are discharge from the eyes and nose, swollen eyes, swollen nose, and hardened foot pads. (Zarbock, 2005). These symptoms will probably worsen over time and the whole experience, as you might expect, is not a pleasant one for your ferret. You can and should take her into the vet for advice on what to do. However, there is no treatment your veterinarian can offer, only advice. It is best to vaccinate your ferret against these illnesses annually, but before doing so speak to your veterinarian about possible risks and side effects. While the risk of catching the infection seems much worse than not getting it, you should be informed as to the possibilities and options.
Another vaccination that is highly recommended is rabies. Nearly every domestic animal these days is required to be vaccinated against rabies; your ferret should follow these lines. While there are risks involved that should be discussed with your veterinarian, symptoms and results of actually getting the virus are heartbreaking. Since there is no cure for rabies animals who catch the virus must be euphonized. Symptoms in ferrets include tremors, hind-leg paralysis, fever, and hyperactivity. (Zarbock, 2005). Putting an animal to sleep under any circumstances is heartbreaking, so protect your furry little friend against rabies. Rabies is generally contracted through contact with an infected animal (it is thought to be spread through bodily fluids of an infected animal dead or alive). Ferrets generally spend most of their time inside, so you and your veterinarian can weigh the risks, but it is something that needs to be discussed and that you should be fully aware of.
Female ferret sterilization. This isn’t really an illness that can be caught, but it is a situation that many female ferret owners are not aware of. Unlike other pets female ferrets have to breed once a year, as such, if you’re not intending to take care of a litter of kits every year, it’s probably best to have your ferret sterilized at 6-8 months of age. (Ferret Facts, n.d). Failing to do so can result in the serious illness or death as the ferret will remain in heat and this will “usually results in bone marrow suppression. This results in severe anemia and decreases in the number of circulating white blood cells.” (Ferret Facts, n.d). I adopted my ferret from a shop where her former owner failed to have her spayed and knew nothing about this condition in ferrets. As such she suffered a great deal and almost died. I adopted her a month later after she’d been taken out of heat by an injection by a veterinarian and given all her shots. She had to be nursed back to health and was weak and lethargic for quite some time. The condition is serious, and it is something that all ferret owners should be aware of.
Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE) is an illness that has spread rapidly in the last couple of years. It’s an illness that is passed from ferret to ferret, so exposure to another ferret can actually bring on this illness characterized by vomiting, excessive diarrhea, and green colored stool, lethargy, loss of appetite, and possible dehydration due to the diarrhea. The condition can be quite serious so your ferret should be taken to the vet as soon as these symptoms are noticed. Fortunately, properly cared for ferrets can easily overcome the illness with the help of their veterinarian, you, and their immune system. Full healing may take months, but the seriousness of the infection should cease after a couple weeks. Watch your ferret after exposure to other animals as symptoms appear within 24 to 48 hours. (Almarez, 2005). These do signal serious illness and can cause death if left untreated, so take any diarrhea (especially green in color as it may signify a number of different problems) extremely seriously. Your veterinarian can advise you on what to do at home to prevent other ferrets or pets from becoming ill, as well as how to care for your ferret. Be sure to ask any questions you may have and call your veterinarian if anything changes or symptoms worsen.
Adrenal Disease is an illness that is fairly mysterious even today. Symptoms include hair loss, enlargement of female genitals (due to excessive estrogen production), difficulty urinating in males (due to enlarged prostate). (Cottrell, 2005). This illness can cause anemia and death. While a great deal of mystery is still surrounding around Adrenal Disease it is known that the adrenal glands produce an excess of hormones (estrogen or testosterone) that cause a great deal of difficulty in ferrets. If you’ve noticed hair loss in your ferret seek veterinary assistance immediately. This is a serious illness that requires immediate care and surgery. Talk to your pet care provider about the best option for your ferret, and ask about adrenal disease during vaccinations so that you have all the information on it you need.
Ferrets are also susceptible to a number of bacterial infections, most of which can be treated with an antibiotic that your veterinarian can give you. Be sure to observe the technique your veterinarian uses when actually giving the medication, and ask any questions you may have on giving it. Some ferrets will take their medicines well; others will be more obstinate about not having it at all. Some bacterial diseases affecting ferrets are botulism, tuberculosis, dysentery, abscesses or infections caused by wounds or injuries. (Woerpel and Rosskopf, 2007).
While feline distemper and the parvovirus have not been proven to be a problem for ferrets, there is some concern over them. Several cases have been presented that seem reliable evidence that both may be able to be passed on to ferrets. Still the debate and research goes on. Your best bet is to speak with your veterinarian about these illnesses, the risks, and possible symptoms. If your ferret is going to be around dogs or cats your veterinarian might advise you to have the assurance of getting your ferret vaccinated against these things so they won’t be a problem. On the other hand, if your ferrets risks factors are low enough, you may be able to pass these vaccinations up and be careful of her exposure to other animals.
It is important to protect your ferret and keep your ferret from harm. Keep cages and bedding clean. Feed your ferret a healthy protein rich diet making sure their getting all the nutrients they need. Keeping your pet from illness is one of the ways in which you can show your love and keep your playful little ferret happy.
References:
Woerpel, R. W. MS, DVM, and Rosskopf, Jr, W.J. DVM. (2007). Ferret Diseases and Infections. Retrieved April 2, 2007, from Animal Hospitals USA Website: http://www.animalhospitals-usa.com/small_pets/ferret_diseases_infections.html
Zarbock, M. (2005). The Most Common Viruses That Infect Ferrets. Retrieved April 2, 2007, from Ferrets Magazine Website: http://www.ferretsmagazine.com/FERRETS/detail.aspx?aid=22208&cid;=3854&category;=
N.A. (n.d). Ferret Facts. Retrieved April 2, 2007, from Ferret Facts Website: http://www.ahc.umn.edu/rar/MNAALAS/ferret.html
Almarez. (2005). ECE: Symptoms, Treatment, and Containment. Retrieved April 2, 2007, from Ferret Health Care Website: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/index.html
Cottrell, K. (2005). Adrenal Disease in the Ferret. Retrieved April 3, 2007, from Ferret Health Care Website: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/adrenal.htm
