One of the unfortunate side affects of domesticating animals is that we tend to ignore the presence of genetic diseases that often get past down with desirable qualities like cuteness or a docile personality. This has especially been the case with ferrets. Let’s take a look at some of the most common diseases and disorders in ferrets.
Adrenal Disease
– This is probably the most common disorder among ferrets. It is caused by abnormal growths which affect the adrenal glands making them swell and produce too much of the female hormone estrogen. The most frequent symptom is hair loss starting at the base of the tail and working up toward the neck. Females may exhibit a swollen vulva while males may experience difficulty urinating due to an enlarged prostate. The symptoms of the disease can be controlled with medication, though typically surgery is needed, especially if the growths are found to be cancerous. Without treatment the disease is terminal. Noone really knows for sure what causes Adrenal disease. It’s less common in Europe than in the United States and it seems to be atleast partly caused by the common practice of American breeders to spay and neuter ferrets while they are still babies. Another possible contributing factor could be an over exposure to bright lights. Ferrets are creatures that would normally spend much of their time underground, in the dark, so too much light has a deleterious affect on their little bodies.
Insulinoma
– Insulinoma is a cancerous growth of the pancreas which produces excessive amounts of insulin. The ferret then suffers from hypoglycemia as a result. Some of the common symptoms of Insulinoma are weakness in the hind legs, lack of energy, glassy eyes, and a dazed appearance. If blood sugar drops too low seizures will result and then coma and death. Surgery is often required, but sometimes the illness can be treated with medications, or a combination of surgery and medication. The medications will not cure the disease but treat the symptoms.
Limphoma or Limphosarcoma
– Both are types of cancerous growths which can affect various organs and are usually fatal. There are usually few early warning symptoms of this kind of cancer. Later on the ferret may develop weight loss, vomiting, diarrhea or show signs of difficult breathing. Chemotherapy or surgery can sometimes stop the advance of the disease but more often than not the cancer is discovered too late.
Aleutian Virus Disease
– This is not a genetic condition though there may well be a genetic component to the disease, or rather in certain ferrets being resistant to it. Studies have shown that about 10% of shelter ferrets carry the virus without ever showing signs of illness. What happens in ferrets that get ill is their bodies react to the virus by releasing massive amounts of antibodies. It’s these antibodies which cause problems, not the virus itself.
There is no cure for Aleutian Virus and the disease is often fatal, though it is a slow wasting disease and some of the symptoms can be treated so as to allow ferrets a decent quality of life for atleast a year or two. Persistent weight loss and lethargy are the two most common symptoms. As the disease progresses the liver or kidney can fail. There can also be neurological problems.
I adopted a ferret that was homeless, he doesn’t make any sounds is he supposed to? He has been going to the bathroom all over the house, how do I train him to go in the litter box he has about three of them, and what is the best litter to put in them? I want to get 2 more ferrets what should they be male or female?
Ferrets don’t usually make much noise so I wouldn’t worry about that. Everything you described sounds like a normal ferret would act. The best way to teach him to use his litterboxes is to get some old shoes, toys or small boxes and scatter them around the litterboxes or in any of the places you don’t want him to go to the bathroom. Ferrets will instinctively avoid going to the bathroom near their toys or food, so when there are toys scattered all around the outside of the litterbox he feels he has no other choice but to use the INSIDE of the litterbox as his bathroom. You might also try putting a little bit of his poop inside the litterboxes so he will get the idea. Never flick him on the nose or use punishments of any kind. With ferrets it’s always better to use psychology to get them to do what you want.
For litter material paper pellets or pine pellets are the best choice, or you can use shredded up newspaper if you have a shredding machine. It’s a good way to make use of the shredded up paper. Never use ceder or pine shavings because they can cause breathing problems for your ferret.
I don’t think you will have trouble matching him up with ferrets of either gender, but with two females or two males there might be some fighting at first till they come to an understanding of whose the more dominant one. If it was me I would probably ask the person running the shelter to point out any groups of female ferrets that get along well together, then choose two of those. Boy ferrets usually get along well with girl ferrets even aggressive girls. So I think that would be the safest match. Also it’s a good idea to make sure they are roughly the same age as him, or younger. I wish you and your little ferret family all the best of luck.
we have three ferrets and they all itch alot and don’t have flees. What could it be?
Kurt I don’t know that is something only a doctor could tell you. One possibility is that they might have dry skin. That can happen if you give them too many baths, but only a vet would know for sure.
I have a ferret named dumas(dumbass). I’m wondering what is the best kind of food to feed him? I would like some brandnames.
Thanks,
Mike
Wysong is the best food I think. It contains raw dehydrated meat with the organs, ground bones and everything just like what a ferret would eat in the wild. Wysong Ferret Archetypal 2
Another good one is EVO Dry Ferret Food
my ferret sam, dry coughs sometimes, what should I do?