Ferrets are relatively common pets, so it’s important to know what health conditions can affect them. These animals are relatively robust, but like every species, they may suffer from different diseases or problems. Owners should be aware of what could impact their pet ferret so they can give appropriate care. Remember, if you’ve any worries about your ferret’s health, you should bring it to the vet immediately. Some of these health conditions can be very serious, so it’s crucial to act quickly.
1. Canine Distemper Doesn’t Just Affect Canines
Most people commonly associate canine distemper with dogs. However, while ferrets aren’t the natural host for this nasty virus, they are vulnerable. Distemper has a very high mortality rate, so it’s essential to bring your ferret to the vet immediately if it displays symptoms. It’s of equal importance that you separate the affected ferret from others because it’s extremely contagious.
Distemper can impact many of the body’s systems, and there is a range of symptoms. Your ferret may display swollen eyes as well as discharge from the nose. It may suffer from seizures as well as lethargy and loss of appetite. There’s no cure for distemper beyond supportive care. Luckily, it’s avoidable because owners can vaccinate their ferrets against distemper to ensure their long-term health.
2. Dental Disease Is Common but Treatable
Dental disease is a common health condition in ferrets. Usually, it’s not very serious, and it is treatable. This is something that many owners may deal with, especially as their ferrets age. If your ferret suffers from unusually bad breath or has bleeding gums, it likely has some form of dental disease. Some owners brush their ferrets’ teeth with specially formulated toothpaste. Dentists can also sedate the ferret and remove tartar build-ups from their teeth. Give your ferrets appropriate chew toys because this can help strengthen their teeth. An appropriate diet also goes a long way in promoting their dental health.
3. Gastrointestinal Obstructions Are Serious Problems
If your ferret has a gastrointestinal obstruction, it means that it swallowed something and can’t pass it. Ferrets are very inquisitive creatures and love chewing everything. Unfortunately, this can come at a cost. They may accidentally swallow a hard object like rubber or plastic. This can cause blockages with a range of symptoms. For example, the ferret may become lethargic and stop eating.
Consuming food may be too painful, and the ferret may have less energy as a result. Other signs include constipation and, in severe cases, anorexia. Veterinary intervention is crucial because, if the obstruction doesn’t pass naturally, your pet ferret may need surgery.
4. Internal and External Parasites Can Affect Ferrets
Ferrets can contract internal and external parasites. Intestinal parasites, for example, can impact a ferret’s digestion. The infestation may not be noticeable at first, but later, blood may appear in the ferret’s stool, or they may have diarrhea. Meanwhile, their coat may be less shiny, and they could lose weight. Anti-parasitic medication will usually fix the problem, so be aware of this!
Ferrets are also susceptible to fleas and ticks. These are less likely if you’re keeping your pet ferrets indoors. However, if you’re walking your ferrets outside, the risk is higher. Dogs can transmit these parasites to ferrets, so be wary. If you find a tick on your ferret, be sure to wear gloves to reduce the risk of getting bitten yourself. You don’t want to contract Lyme disease, a condition that can affect both humans and animals!
5. Heart Disease Can Shorten a Ferret’s Life
Unfortunately, heart disease is a relatively common health condition for ferrets. Older animals are especially vulnerable to this health issue. The most common heart problem is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), which causes an enlarged, weakened heart. This condition prevents the heart from efficiently pumping blood throughout the body.
Affected ferrets may suffer from lethargy and weakness. Vets can diagnose the problem, but there’s no effective cure for heart disease in ferrets. Owners can try to manage the condition under the direction of a trained vet. However, it may eventually be kinder to euthanize the ferret. The prognosis varies depending on the ferret’s age and the seriousness of the condition. A low-sodium diet with supporting medication can help prolong your pet’s life.
6. Diarrhea Can Indicate Other Problems
Diarrhea isn’t a standalone health condition. Rather, it’s usually a symptom of something else. For example, maybe an affected ferret has eaten something that upset its stomach or has a parasitic infection.
Monitor your ferret for a maximum of two days before intervening. Ferrets can dehydrate very quickly, so ensure they have plenty of water. If they show signs of weakness, lethargy, or stop drinking, you should bring them to the vet immediately. Ideally, diarrhea isn’t something to worry about, and you should be able to treat it quickly. But it can be a sign of something more serious, like inflammatory bowel disease or even some cancers.
Try to keep the ferret’s enclosure clean while they have watery or excessive stool. Diarrhea can quickly cause an unhygienic environment and further impact the ferret’s well-being. Also, separate the sick animal from other ferrets in case of parasites or infectious diseases.
7. Adrenal Gland Disease Is Relatively Common
Adrenal gland disease is relatively common in pet ferrets. This is when the adrenal gland overproduces sex hormones, like progesterone and testosterone. The affected ferret may suffer hair loss, aggression, and swelling. Males may also have problems passing urine. We advise neutering ferrets at a young age to avoid this disease. Vets may remove the adrenal gland entirely to eliminate the problem.
Treatments are possible, but the disease is likely to return. Adrenal gland disease is dangerous because it may progress to cancer. Benign and malignant tumors may arise. See your vet if your ferret shows these symptoms. It could save their life!
