If you are thinking about getting a ferret, you need be aware of diseases and conditions that are common to ferrets. Ferrets are not diseased animals but, like any other pet, they do get illnesses that may shorten their lives.

The first thing a ferret owner should be aware of is intestinal obstructions. This is not a disease, but a condition caused by your ferret swallowing something that cannot be digested. Like small children, anything a ferret gets a hold of goes directly to their mouth – and they may swallow it.

Intestinal obstruction is the number one cause of deaths among ferrets. Unfortunately, it is a slow and painful death for the ferret if you don’t realize that there is a problem and seek treatment from the vet. Items that the ferret may want to chew are also a danger, because small pieces can come off and be swallowed. Ferrets are especially fond of rubber items, like sink stoppers. A ferret is most likely suffering from intestinal obstruction if he is lethargic, vomiting, has problems having a bowel movement, or refuses to eat or drink. He can die very quickly from this.

Lymphoma is also a common disease that ferrets may experience. Lymphoma is cancer, and is indicated by diarrhea, weight loss, weakness, and swollen lymph nodes. In most cases, your vet can help you to make your ferret more comfortable. He may even try radiation therapy, which is expensive – but there is no real cure for lymphoma.

If your ferret passes bright green feces, he most likely has ECE or Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis. This is highly contagious, and known as the Green Slime Disease. The ferret may vomit as well, and is at high risk for dehydration, malnutrition, and ulcers. He may also have seizures. At the first sign of green, slimy feces, you should contact your vet for treatment.

You may have a diabetic ferret on your hand. Insulinomas are growths on the pancreas. They cause the pancreas to release too much insulin, which in turn makes your ferret suffer from hypoglycemia. If your ferret is weak, lethargic, or sleeps too much, call the vet. Serious symptoms include vomiting, disorientation, and seizures, among others.

Adrenal disease is also common among ferrets. Adrenal disease means that there are growths on the adrenal gland, which may or may not be cancerous. Common symptoms of adrenal disease include hair loss, starting just above the tail and moving up the back. The ferret may also experience weight loss. If the ferret is a female, the vulvae may be swollen as well. A ferret usually won’t suffer from adrenal disease until he or she is between three and four years of age.

The good news is that you don’t have to diagnose your ferret. All you have to do is pay attention. Anytime there is a change in eating habits, sleeping habits, play habits, or bathroom habits, call the vet and get the ferret checked for a potential problem.

Like any aging mammal, ferrets get tumors, cancers and the like. When they reach around age four or later, the odds increase. The average ferret lifespan is between 6-8 years. One of the more common types is a form known as insulinomas. These are tumors from insulin producing cells in the pancreas. In addition to the tumors themselves, they produce excess insulin leading to a type of diabetes.

Some of the external signs that owners should be on the lookout for are large weight loss, lethargy and lack of coordination especially in the hind legs. Healthy ferrets have a high metabolism. They sleep about 18 hours per day, but when they are awake they tend to be extremely active and exploratory.

Naturally, that will decrease somewhat with age, but even older ferrets are still natural ‘seekers’ and frequently hungry. That’s one of the reasons food should be left out for them to eat at will. When they begin to lose a lot of weight, something is wrong. When they become uninterested in their environment, they are usually ill.

Diagnosing insulinomas is usually straightforward. Blood sugar levels are tested from a sample, with the test often repeated after a short fast of a few hours. Insulin levels will often be tested as well. Of course, an external exam for obvious lumps will be performed at the same time the sample is drawn.

Surgery is the most common form of treatment. Visible tumors are removed to reduce the risk of spreading or enlargement. That can also reduce symptoms associated with the tumors. About two weeks later, blood sugar levels will be re-tested, then again every few months to check for re-occurrence.

For those ferrets who aren’t good candidates for surgery, or as an adjunct therapy, there are several drugs that are used to treat insulinomas. Prednisone and diazoxide may be used separately or together. They can help manage symptoms, but don’t eliminate the underlying disease, which will usually progress.

Diet can help control both the likelihood of getting insulinomas and the severity of the symptoms. A high, meat-based protein (about 35% of the total) and high fat content (15%) is standard for ferrets. But sweets, often used as treats for healthy animals, are eliminated. Just as in humans, they can lead to a hypoglycemic episode and disorientation.

Properly treated, most animals recover from insulinomas and live out a natural span.

Like dogs, cats and other mammals, ferrets can acquire dangerous viruses. Sometimes those are fatal. But that result can usually be avoided by a proper vaccination schedule, using the right vaccines.

As in humans, dogs and so forth, vaccines work by stimulating the immune system to produce antibodies against a disease organism before it occurs. That makes them present in the blood stream to attack the virus should it be introduced. But, also like human vaccines, they can produce reactions. The proper schedule and vaccines are essential.

Ferrets are typically vaccinated against rabies and canine distemper.

The first is rare, even rarer in ferrets. But the fear of catching rabies from a bite is so intense that many will choose to get the shot for their ferret anyway. It helps protect the animal, the owner and ward off lawsuits from visitors who might accidentally get their fingers in a ferret’s playful mouth.

Canine distemper is much less rare, and it is airborne. So even if your ferret never comes in contact with another animal, the vaccination is important. Canine distemper can be transmitted from one ferret to another (or a dog to a ferret) by a sneeze. It survives in the air fully long enough to infect the animal. There are other transmission routes, as well.

Heading off these possibilities is simple.

Most ferrets will receive their first shot at the ferret farm at around 6-8 weeks after birth. If you’ve acquired yours from a private owner, however, they may not have done this. Ask. The second shot should be given when the ferret is between 10-12 weeks old, then a third at 16 weeks.

Rabies vaccinations are given yearly. Most states require this and it’s a good idea anyway.

Though it costs a bit more for separate vet visits, it’s a good idea also to give the vaccinations at least two weeks apart. If the ferret suffers a reaction, it will be possible to identify which one produced it. As with dogs, reactions are not common, but they’re easily treated. In fact, many vets will pre-treat a ferret (as they do with dogs) with Benadryl to head off any problem.

To lessen the chances of a reaction, be sure to find and use a ferret-knowledgeable vet. Ensure they use the appropriate vaccines. Don’t be intimidated into remaining silent. Ask polite but appropriate questions.

Of course, depending on when you read this, it’s possible for the technology to have evolved. Ask your vet about the latest options. Both canine distemper and rabies are fatal if contracted. A vaccination can turn a life-ending disease into a minor expense.

How it is even possible to be a veterinarian is something of a mystery. Being a physician that treats humans is challenging enough. They spend years learning anatomy and physiology, pharmacology and a dozen other major subjects. Yet medical doctors have only one species to study. Vets are expected to know a half-dozen or more.

Many, of course, do specialize to a degree. And, dogs and cats are the most popular pets so these are the animals they most commonly treat. But since the 1980s, ferrets have become increasingly popular domestic companions. Finding a vet knowledgeable about them, especially in a smaller town or city, can be tough.

Yet, they do exist. You can search the Internet these days, naturally. With the growth of something called ‘Local Search’, it’s possible to type in ‘ferret vet’ and get back listings that are unique to your zipcode. Using something like the Ferret Vet Zip Code Locator at www.ferrethealth.org/vets/ is also a good option.

In fact, finding a vet BEFORE you get a ferret is a very good idea. At some point, you’ll need one and you don’t want to have to hunt one down during a time of emergency. If you can’t locate one you prefer in your area, you might consider holding off on getting one of these unique pets.

Once you find a potential vet, one who at least claims to be able to treat ferrets, you’ll want to ask a few probing questions. The interview would be much as you would have in choosing a vet for your cat or dog, or any other.

You’ll want to ensure they’re familiar with the common diseases and conditions that ferrets tend to acquire or endure. ECE (or Green Slime), ADV (Aleutian Disease Virus), adrenal and a long list of other diseases are commonly found in ferrets. Note, that doesn’t mean that ferrets are commonly disease ridden. They suffer no more than any other domesticated species.

You’ll want to get an idea of how the vet approaches treatment. They may educate you in home care to save you time and money, and them from being overwhelmed every time the ferret sneezes. Though, sneezing can be a symptom of upper respiratory infection. Your vet should be able to advise you on ear cleaning, proper diet and other ferret-specific issues.

Like cats and dogs, ferrets need vaccinations. Viruses are known to occur among ferrets just as they do among those other common domestic companions. But it’s possible, just as with dogs and cats, for ferrets to suffer allergic reactions to vaccines. It’s important for your vet to be knowledgeable about this area. Ignorance can accidentally kill a ferret.

Surgery is sometimes called for. Ferrets love to explore and will chew on just about anything. That opens the possibility of swallowing bits of plastic, Styrofoam cups and a wide variety of other common household items. That can lead to intestinal blocking. They also, as they get older, can be prone to certain tumors. Your vet should be qualified and experienced in performing surgery to treat those issues.

Review your options just as you would for any other pet, and don’t be shy about asking potentially uncomfortable questions. Better to have answers you don’t like, than results you would hate.

Adrenal Disease

One of the most common conditions to occur in ferrets is adrenal disease. Growths or enlargement of the adrenal gland typically requires surgery. External signs are a loss of hair, usually starting at the tail and working forward. Sometimes the back of the neck loses hair. In some cases, the vulva of females becomes enlarged. Left untreated, it’s fatal. Prospects for recovery when caught early are very good, though.

ADV

Aleutian Disease Virus is a parvovirus that can infect ferrets and their cousin species, such as minks. It produces excessive and rapid weight loss. There’s no cure and it can be fatal, though in many cases it produces symptoms that are treatable.

Since it can be transmitted through urine and feces, it’s possible for one ferret who is a carrier but not affected to infect others. Tests can show whether an animal has the virus and it’s helpful to have one done before bringing a new ferret into an existing ‘family’. CEP or CIEP (Counter Immune ElectroPhoresis) is the most common test.

ECE

Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis, also known as Green Slime Disease, is an inflammation of the mucous membranes. It produces green, slimy, foul smelling feces during diarrhea (hence the name). Yes, all feces smell, but ferrets can get greenish diarrhea for a number of reasons. These are distinctive. The causes are not entirely understood.

It may last only a week or two and go away untreated. But in about 20% of cases it can become more serious, leading to wasting away. In either case, owners should seek treatment as early as possible. Only known for a little over 10 years, it’s still under intensive research. Treatments vary, such as the use of slippery elm bark powder, but should be applied by a vet.

Ear Problems

Keeping your ferret’s ears clean is important, but simple. Wax can build up, or they can get ear mites and other conditions.

A weak solution of ear cleaner helps loosen wax, then (like a dog) they will shake their heads vigorously expelling the wax.

Treating ear mites requires only a little ear cleaner, then Tresaderm.

The procedure should be repeated every day for at least a week. Careful examination with a flashlight and magnifying glass can help reveal any substance that might still be in the ear. A ferret’s ear canal is L-shaped, so piercing the ear drum isn’t a common problem. But they are delicate, so take care.

Cancers

Older ferrets, around 4 years or more (like other aging mammals) are prone to develop tumors and other cancers. Some of these are treatable by surgery, others eventually take the life of the ferret. But ferrets are no more prone to cancer at a young age than a dog, cat or humans.

Still, since they are very curious and exploratory, it’s helpful to ensure they don’t come into contact with common household items that can encourage cancers. Benzene and other organic solvents are known to increase the risk. Be sure to ferret-proof your house.