erret-world

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FERRET

FIRST AID
& EMERGENCY CARE

Stephanie Warzecha founder and director of Ferret-World.com

Dr. David Vella BSc BVSc (Hons) DABVP
(Exotic Companion Animals)
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Dedication
To my mum, the best mother in the world who suggested I set up a
website about ferretswhich has led to this! Thanks Mum! Love you x

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About the Author

have always been a huge animal lover, previously worked

with horses at Warwick Farm Racecourse and volunteered at
Fairfield City Farm. However in the year 2004 I set my eyes, for
the first time ever, on ferrets in a pet shop. I ended up taking
one home that very day after successfully convincing my
partner that it was the right thing to do. Little did I know that my life
was about to change forever! The ferret, Slinky, was a huge shock to
the system and unlike any other animal I had ever come by. I realised
that an animal such as this needed to be understood and researched
well before bringing it home. I made many mistakes in caring for our
first ferret and started researching frantically on how to look after her
correctly.
I also realised after reading many mixed messages on the internet, by self-proclaimed ferret experts,
that there were very few reliable sources of ferret information.
Thus my endeavour started. I set out to help educate people about ferrets and their proper care, so they
would never make the same mistakes as I did. Ever since bringing our first ferret home I have been a huge
ferret enthusiast, immersing myself completely in the world of ferrets and researching everything there is
to know about them. I then pass on my knowledge to other people interested in ferrets as companions
through my website
Ferret-World.com
I regularly speak to ferret experts and specialists, attend Ferret Welfare Social Days, ferret play dates and
read any ferret book I can get my hands on. I also speak to ferret owners, from the beginners to the highly
experienced, every day through my social networks and website.
There is not a day in my life since becoming a farent (ferret parent) that I have not communicated with
ferret people from all over the world.
My partner and myself are also very proud farents of four wonderful ferrets; Binxi, Bear, Sammy and Yuki
Rose. All of our ferrets, both dead and alive have been/are the greatest teachers of them all.

If you would like to add anything to this book, correct some information, pre-order the
hardcopy version or tell me how much you loved this book then please email me on
FerretWorld1@gmail.com

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About Dr. Vella

r David Vella graduated with a Bachelor of Science (1992)

and a Bachelor of Veterinary Science (1996) both
from the University of Sydney. In 2009, David became
a Diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary
Practitioners (DABVP) in Exotic Companion Mammals,
the first and only Australian vet to achieve these credentials (at the
time this was printed). This Diplomate accreditation focuses on the
veterinary care of mammals, especially ferrets, rabbits and rodents.
Dr Vella was among the first vets worldwide to sit the inaugural
DABVP examinations in this specialty.

Ferrets have always fascinated Dr Vella, especially their intelligence,

inquisitiveness and fun-loving nature. The charm of ferrets lead Dr Vella to engage
them in his veterinary work and their appeal as patients makes for very rewarding experiences.
Dr Vella has gained extensive clinical experience in treating exotic pets having focused on this
field whilst working in the United Kingdom and Sydney. At present, Dr Vella concentrates on small
mammals, reptiles and amphibians. Under his care all aspects of preventative health, husbandry,
medicine, surgery and hospitalisation for these species are catered for. Dr Vella consults as a primary
accession and second opinion exotic small mammal and reptile/amphibian vet in Sydney at both the
North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre and the Animal Referral Hospital.

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Table of Contents
Dedication...............................................................................................................................................................................2
About the Author.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
About Dr. Vella.......................................................................................................................................................................4
Table of Contents.................................................................................................................................................................. 5
Introduction to Ferret First Aid and Emergency Care.................................................................................................. 8
Part 1 - Keeping your Ferret out of harms way............................................................................................................9
Supervise Playtime...............................................................................................................................................................10
Ferret proof the home and backyard................................................................................................................................11
Part 2 - Know thy Ferret from inside out..................................................................................................................... 14
What to look out for - does you ferret need emergency vet care?..........................................................................14
The signs of a healthy ferret...............................................................................................................................................15
Signs of an unhealthy ferret...............................................................................................................................................15
Signs of a ferret in distress.................................................................................................................................................16
Signs of a ferret in pain........................................................................................................................................................16
Scruffing your ferret............................................................................................................................................................ 18
Part 3 - If you fail to plan, you plan to fail....................................................................................................................19
What to have prepared in case of emergencies...........................................................................................................19
Basic Ferret First Aid Kit..................................................................................................................................................... 21
Emergency Kit...................................................................................................................................................................... 22
Have your emergency procedure memorised..............................................................................................................22
Part 4 - Ferret First Aid and Emergency Care............................................................................................................ 23
Coat........................................................................................................................................................................................ 24
Alopecia/Seasonal Alopecia........................................................................................................................................... 24
Hair loss................................................................................................................................................................................. 25
Hormonal Conditions........................................................................................................................................................ 27
Adrenal disease................................................................................................................................................................... 27
Aplastic Anaemia................................................................................................................................................................28
Insulinoma.............................................................................................................................................................................29
Skin Conditions.................................................................................................................................................................... 31
Abscess...................................................................................................................................................................................31
Bruises.................................................................................................................................................................................... 32
Blackheads.............................................................................................................................................................................33
Bleeding..................................................................................................................................................................................34
Cuts/wounds........................................................................................................................................................................ 35
Dry, flaky skin....................................................................................................................................................................... 36
Itching & Scratching............................................................................................................................................................37
Rash.........................................................................................................................................................................................38
Ringworm...............................................................................................................................................................................39

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Unforeseen Accidents....................................................................................................................................................... 40
Allergic reaction.................................................................................................................................................................. 40
Broken bones or fractures.................................................................................................................................................. 41
Drowning............................................................................................................................................................................... 42
Dog attack............................................................................................................................................................................. 43
Poisoning................................................................................................................................................................................44
Toe nail caught on material/Ripped off toe nail..........................................................................................................45
Smoke inhalation.................................................................................................................................................................47
Odd Ferret Behaviour........................................................................................................................................................48
Difficult, heavy breathing or fast breathing................................................................................................................. 48
Drinking urine...................................................................................................................................................................... 49
Ferret Dead Sleep............................................................................................................................................................... 50
Hiccups.................................................................................................................................................................................. 51
Shock......................................................................................................................................................................................52
Spasms/ Seizures/ convulsions......................................................................................................................................53
Shivering............................................................................................................................................................................... 54
Stressed (or depressed ferret caused by stress)........................................................................................................ 55
Unconscious ferret............................................................................................................................................................. 57
Respiratory problems........................................................................................................................................................ 58
Coughing................................................................................................................................................................................58
Choking.................................................................................................................................................................................. 59
Pneumonia............................................................................................................................................................................60
Sneezing................................................................................................................................................................................. 61
Digestive System................................................................................................................................................................ 62
Dehydration.......................................................................................................................................................................... 62
Dental disease......................................................................................................................................................................63
Intestinal blockage..............................................................................................................................................................64
Loss of appetite....................................................................................................................................................................65
Weight loss...........................................................................................................................................................................66
Vomiting................................................................................................................................................................................ 68
Internal Organs....................................................................................................................................................................69
Kidney failure (renal disease).......................................................................................................................................... 69
Heart disease (Cardiomyopathy)................................................................................................................................... 70
Sudden Heart Failure...........................................................................................................................................................71
Extreme Weather Conditions.......................................................................................................................................... 72
Overheating/ Heat stress................................................................................................................................................. 72
Hypothermia/Frostbite......................................................................................................................................................73
Genital Problems.................................................................................................................................................................74
Anal Prolapse........................................................................................................................................................................74
Swollen vulva (female ferret genitals)............................................................................................................................75
Eye Problems........................................................................................................................................................................76
Conjunctivitis........................................................................................................................................................................76
Cataracts................................................................................................................................................................................77

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Poop.........................................................................................................................................................................................78
Normal poop..........................................................................................................................................................................78
Bloody poop...........................................................................................................................................................................78
Tarry black poop...................................................................................................................................................................79
Grainy poop/ Bird seed like poop....................................................................................................................................80
Stringy/ Thin poop.............................................................................................................................................................. 80
Green poop............................................................................................................................................................................ 81
Ferret Diarrhea..................................................................................................................................................................... 82
Lack of poop..........................................................................................................................................................................82
Parasites.................................................................................................................................................................................83
Foot Mange (foot rot) ........................................................................................................................................................ 83
Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis)............................................................................................................................................84
Ear mites (Otodectes cynotis)..........................................................................................................................................85
Ticks........................................................................................................................................................................................ 86
Internal Parasites..................................................................................................................................................................87
Viruses....................................................................................................................................................................................88
Canine distemper.................................................................................................................................................................88
ECE (Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis).................................................................................................................................89
Human influenza virus (flu)..............................................................................................................................................89
Part 5 - Looking after you little companion through sickness and through health........................................90
Before surgery.......................................................................................................................................................................90
After surgery.......................................................................................................................................................................... 91
Administration of medications.........................................................................................................................................92
24h after vaccination.......................................................................................................................................................... 93
Part 6 - Dealing with the death of your Ferret...........................................................................................................94
Bonus! Let Me Introduce Super Ferret!..................................................................................................................... 96
How do you keep your ferret at its health peak?......................................................................................................... 96
Bonus! Natural Disasters Kit...........................................................................................................................................99
Useful Resources...............................................................................................................................................................100
Other eBooks available.....................................................................................................................................................101

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Introduction to ferret first aid

and emergency care

s there any other domestic animal similar to a ferret? They really are unique little creatures that
will steal everything you own, including your heart. They will put a smile on your face even in the
saddest of times and dont really ask for too much in return. As long as they have time to play,
food, water, plenty of mental stimulation and love, they will provide you with endless hours of
entertainment.

We love our little companions for this very reason and want to provide them with all they need to be
happy and healthy, so that they can put smiles on our faces and warm our hearts for as long as possible.
Unfortunately sometimes their crazy antics, curiosity or genetics (which is our human fault due to some
improper breeding efforts) let them down and they find themselves in trouble. In fact many experienced
ferret owners say to expect that each ferret will need serious veterinary attention at least once during
their lives (as it will most probably be a once off veterinary fee that amounts to thousands of dollars this
doesnt include general veterinary maintenance such as their yearly check ups, immunisations, dental
care and smaller veterinary emergencies. So in a nut shellyou better start saving money for all of this!).
This is why I have decided to write this book. So that we can all be prepared for that one time (or multiple
times) in their lives when they will need us most. So that we, as responsible ferret owners, can be more
prepared and have the peace of mind of knowing what we can do to help them in their time of need.
In this book you will find a whole variety of information ranging from how to recognise the signs of a
healthy ferret, a ferret in pain, and a ferret in distress, along with a variety of conditions, injuries and
illnesses; some serious (for which a ferret needs immediate attention) and those that are more common
to ferrets (which you dont really need to worry about too much although some may need to be
monitored).

The aim of this book is to help educate ferret owners all over the world on how to look after
their ferrets during times of need and how to prevent the majority of issues ferrets face
throughout their lives. This will help your ferrets to live longer, healthier and happier lives.

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Part 1. Keeping your ferret out of harms way

SUG

AR

Ferrets are highly curious animals that will get into everything. Unfortunately this can lead to accidents in
which your ferret will need your help and possibly help from the veterinarian. However there are ways to
keep your ferret safe and ways to prevent these accidents from occurring.

How can you prevent accidents?

Make sure you supervise play time
Ferret proof the home and backyard
Think logically always survey your surroundings and think what might be hazardous to your ferret.
Walk carefully and be aware of your surroundings
Only leave your ferrets with people you know and trust to take the best of care of them.

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Supervise playtime

Ferrets are curious by nature and will always try to get into things theyre not supposed to. No-go zones
are particularly enticing and ferrets will normally persevere at getting into them so its wise to always
keep an eye on your ferrets during playtime or any other time that they are out of their cage. Make sure
you know where they are, because sometimes they end up curling up and going to sleep in the strangest
places (which leads you to have a stress attack trying to find them, thinking that they have somehow
escaped). Knowing where your ferrets are or have gone to sleep is also particularly important because
unfortunately a common accident is people sitting on their ferrets when they have curled up and gone
to sleep in a couch or recliner.
Imagine if your ferrets got into serious trouble while you were not around. This could mean life or death,
so if youre stepping out of the room where they are playing and have no one else to look after them
while youre gone, then its best to put them back in their cage till you get back (unless you are 100%
certain that they cannot get into a dangerous situation).

Tip: Start thinking like a ferret ferrets are fantastic at problem solving. If they want to get to
that open window in your bedroom (from which they do not know there is a two storey drop)
then they will find a path to do so.

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Ferret proof the home and backyard

Ferrets are very different to cats and dogs, which tend to either mind their own business or always
follow around. Ferrets tend to make everything their business and have to explore all areas of the house
or backyard whether youre there or not. Such is their curious nature, however, this can also be very
dangerous. Ferrets have been known to get stuck behind fridges, ovens, in couches, disappear in holes
in the wall, floors and drain pipes, never to return. They also like to visit the neighbours and try to make
friends with the not-so-friendly dog, which usually ends badly for the ferret.
Before letting your ferret loose in the house or backyard you may have to put up some boundaries or
barricades so they cannot disappear under the house, into your neighbours backyard or into a room
theyre not supposed to enter. Make sure cleaning chemicals are out of their reach, as well as anything
else that could be a hazard. Some ferrets also like to explore the insides of toilet bowls, rubbish bins and
even like taking a plunge in pools.
So if you want to prevent your ferret drowning, eating something that it shouldnt, poisoning itself,
injuring itself, and youre worrying yourself senseless, then take a look around your ferrets play area and
start thinking like a ferret. What would you find interesting? What would try to eat? What could get you
into trouble?
You will need to change a few habits as well i.e. check for ferrets before sitting anywhere, walk carefully
and slowly when the ferrets are out and about, stop leaving hazardous things laying around, checking
appliances for ferrets before using them, not closing and opening doors quickly, etc. Oh yesyour life as
you once knew it shall be turned upside down.

The general rules to keep in mind when ferret proofing the home include:
If the ferret can fit its head through (hole, tube, crack, opening, etc), then the body can follow (and
get stuck or the ferret can escape).
Never underestimate a ferrets curiosity They will get into everything!
Never underestimate a ferrets ability to learn and connive behind your back They will find a way
to get up on that table, onto the bookshelf, under the floor boards, onto the balcony or jump out the
window (as I have experienced).
Just when you think you know your ferrets personality inside out and can predict their next
actionyou WILL be surprised with something new - Just to keep your relationship interesting.
If there is an object or something that they can run under or through, they will - This includes
rugs, mats, piles of clothes, your laundry basket, under the bed and anything else that they can find.
The ferrets wild cousin lives in dark burrows so it is part of their nature to seek out dark holes, nooks
and crannies.
Most ferrets suffer from obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) Some will become obsessed with
chewing on things or eating things that they are not supposed to, stealing and stashing the same
things over and over, etc. This can be extremely dangerous because at times they steal something and
then go chew on it while you are not looking. If they chew or swallow the wrong thing it can cause an
intestinal blockage, which causes sickness and normally ends up in an emergency visit or surgery at
the vets.

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Once a ferret decides it wants something it will try as hard as it can to get it - The worst thing is
that they have really good memories and even if they do not achieve their objective during 1,2,3,4,5
play sessions then they probably will during the 10th play session. So keep an eye out on your ferret
and try to guess what it is thinking about or what it looks like it wants to achieve (I like to watch
my ferrets very closely and say out loud what they are thinking in various funny accents). Once you
discover what your ferret is after then remove any hazardous objects out of the way or try to prevent
him/her from achieving their mission.

Some things to look out for and not allow your ferret to get include:
Rubber Some ferrets are obsessed with chewing rubber! Especially small rubber ear phones.
Foam Stress balls, mattress inserts, insides of toys, mops etc.
Latex Condoms (yep, it has been known to happen!)
Sponges Dishwashing sponges, floor mops etc.
Rubber bands
Styrofoam
Pen caps
Bottle caps
Cotton swabs
Fabrics In which they could get entangled or ingest.
Carpet Some ferrets like to chew carpet (one of mine tries to on occasion), try to get them out of this
habit as soon as you notice them doing this to avoid damage to your carpet and an intestinal blockage.
Cleaning chemicals or other products, poisons and liquids that are dangerous to your ferret
Appliances e.g. stove, fridge, washing machine, dishwasher etc. In and under them.
Furniture Reclining chairs, rockers, foldout couches, mattresses, chairs etc.
Kids stuff
Cosmetics
Office equipment
Entertainment areas
Cables, cords and electricity contacts
Heating and cooling systems
Doors and windows
Food scraps
Human food
Pools and ponds
Holes or gaps in walls or fences
Unfriendly dogs and cats (or other animals)
Heights - From which they could fall eg. Cages, curtains, sideboards, windows etc.
Bins
House Plants Which can be poisonous if your ferret ingests them.
Floor vents
Under beds, cabinets or other furniture
Fireplaces
Glass or anything breakable
Faulty, overused, damaged or unsafe ferret toys
Vacuum cleaner hoses Some are big enough for ferrets to crawl into and become wedged.

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Toilet paper, paper towel and other types of cylinders or rolls

Dishwashers and washing machines A lot of ferrets have crawled into them without the owner
knowing and then drowned when they were switched on.
Couch springs
Sofa beds
Stereo speakers and sub-woofers
Toilets (keep the lid down) Yes, they do manage to climb up, fall in and then cant climb out.
Bins They will climb into them, dig through them, eat what they find and then carry the rubbish all
through your house.
Boxes Ferrets will always want to discover what is inside so make sure they are able to climb out and
there is nothing edible or dangerous in there.
Doors If there is enough space for a ferret to fit its head through then it will most probably get its
body through as well.
Luggage and backpacks Dont miss your flight because you got pulled up at the airport for, to
your surprise, having a ferret with you that wanted to come along for the trip!
Plastic bags Ferrets love to play in these, but always supervise them while they are doing so to make
sure they do not get tangled and suffocate.
Young children They may not be aware that a ferret is near them and could sit or step on it, they
also might be a bit too rough whilst playing.
Drains I have heard of any ferrets disappearing up/down drain pipes and never being seen again
You Always be aware of where your ferret is. Some of the most common accidents include people
stepping on them. For some reason ferrets love playing with or around feet so move around carefully
when your ferrets are out (We lost two of ours due to my partner accidentally stepping on them).
Laundry day Always double-check your laundry before putting it in the washing machine and
switching it on.
Dryer vents
Air ducts
Boxspring mattresses Ferrets have a knack for digging into mattresses (we had to take the
wheels off our bed ensemble because they would always scratch at the base and dig holes)
Rocking chairs make sure your ferret is not around when you are rocking!
Couch cushions and other pillows Ferrets love to play in them.
Small spaces
Electric cords Some ferrets chew on them so its best to put the cords in a plastic casing if
possible.
Open railings Ferrets can fall through them
Fans, candles, fireplaces, heaters
Check ferret toys to make sure they are not being dismantled, old, ragged and eaten - Especially
check that all the lining is intact. Try not to buy cheap toys that are not especially made for
ferrets, as a lot of them fall apart easily and are made of materials that can be hazardous to your
ferrets.

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Part 2. Know thy ferret from inside to out

WOW!

What to look out for - does your ferret need emergency vet care?
It is important to know what a healthy ferret looks like so that you can tell when it needs veterinary
attention. The best way of getting to know your ferret is by spending lots of time playing and bonding
with him or her. The better you know your ferret the more likely you will be able to judge its behaviour
and know when it needs veterinary care. An owner who is well bonded with their fuzzbutt can pick up
even the slightest change in behaviour.
Keep in mind that ferrets are stoic creatures. This means that they will normally hide their pain for the
purpose of hiding their weaknesses. This is an intuitive trait of many wild animals (and something
which is still evident in ferrets) where showing a weakness could be a death sentence.

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The signs of a healthy ferret

A healthy ferret is generally a happy ferret; one that bounces off the wall (not literally, dont go throwing
your ferret at the wall) and gets up to lots of mischief.

Signs of a healthy ferret can include:

Bright, big shiny eyes they are clear and moist
Pink, moist gums
Plump nose
Clean ears
Full, shiny coat no bald spots or black speckles amongst the fur.
Pink pads on the ferrets feet
Active, alert, playful and inquisitive behaviour
Normal, brown, good consistency poo not too runny and not too hard with a nice brown colour.
Clean around the genital areas
Normal body temperature: 37.8 39.4 C (100 103 F)
Normal respiration: 33 36 breaths/min
Normal heart rate: 200 to 400 beats/min

Signs of an unhealthy ferret

There are many signs of unhealthy ferrets, below are just the basic things to look out for. However you
will find more listed with different health conditions in the Ferret First Aid section of this book.

Signs of an unhealthy ferret can include:

Squinty eyes the eyes of a ferret are the windows to their soul! If they are not feeling well then you
will see it in their eyes.
Poor coat condition
Overly dry nose
White gums
Abnormal faeces
Discharge from the eyes, nose, ears or anus
Brittle or soft nails
Skin irritations or rashes
Unusual behaviour
Not eating or drinking
Sudden weight loss

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Signs of a ferret in distress

A ferret that is stressed by a certain situation, will not behave the same way that a healthy ferret behaves.
If you find a ferret in distress then it is important to do something about the situation immediately. Try to
discover what the cause of distress is and help the ferret.

Signs of a ferret in distress can include:

Wide eyes
Screaming or loud, very fast dooking sounds
Backing up or running away to a dark area ferrets feel more secure in dark areas, this is a trait
derived from their ancestors, polecats. Polecats make their homes and burrows under the ground.
Violent thrashing or spasms if they have been in an accident such as having their toe nail caught
on bedding, or being stepped on resulting in an injured spine.
Hissing sound; this is normally a sound a ferret makes when they are annoyed, the more annoyed
they get the more frequent and louder the hissing.
Ferret stink bomb ferrets rarely let out this smell (when they are excited or in distress and
sometimes just because they can) but you will know it when you smell it!
Pooping or weeing themselves

Signs of a ferret in pain

Remember that ferrets are stoic creatures and that they will try to mask their pain, so sometimes it can be
very hard to recognise when a ferret is experiencing pain. However the suggestions below should help
you recognise pain in a ferret and hopefully help you to take appropriate action.

Signs of a ferret in pain can include:

Squinting, dull eyes
Grinding of teeth
Twitching of muscles on the top of the head
Loss of appetite
Unable to hold food in mouth
Having trouble chewing food
Unable to swallow food
Trouble walking limping, dragging limbs or holding them up
Unable to groom him/herself

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Poor coat condition

Excessive licking or scratching
Favouring one side when lying down or moving around
Unable to get up
Unable to walk
Having trouble stretching out or curling up
Crying or moaning
Making sounds when pooping, urinating or moving around
Shying away when touched
Biting when touched or being protective of a certain area of its body
Depression
Inactivity
Weight loss
Unwillingness to play or explore not interested
Acting unusual

Tip: If your ferret ever experiences a traumatic experience of any sort then make sure that you
stay calm. Ferrets, like any other animal or human, will react to your energy. The more panicked
you become the more likely they are to panic or stress. Be strong and support an injured or
traumatised ferret by:
Talking to it calmly
Patting it gently (although it may be a good idea to stay away from the head as a traumatised/
stressed ferret is more likely to bite you by accident)
Gently covering its eyes with a cloth (if possible and appropriate)
Just being there for it (everyone needs a caring, loving friend in times of stress and trauma, this
includes all animals, especially if they know you well and consider you their friend).
Scruffing your ferret. If a ferret is panicking or needs to be held still so that you can help it, then
scruffing is the best and most effective method. Some people think that scruffing a ferret hurts
them, but this is not true. In fact it is part of their natural behaviour!

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Scruffing your ferret

There seems to be a lot of controversy around scruffing ferrets. Some people think that it is cruel, while
others know just how useful it is to be able to handle a ferret in this way. A lot of people tend to be scared
that the ferret is being hurt. This is not the case. Have you ever watched a couple of ferrets play fight?
Have you ever watched a mother ferret carry her babies? Have you ever watched two ferrets breeding?
All of these acts involve scruffing of some sort. The truth is ferrets have tough skin and considering they
already scruff each other, most of the time they really do not mind being scruffed by you if you know
how to do so properly.

How do you scruff a ferret properly?

Push the ferrets head down to the ground, keeping it still. Grab the skin on the back of its neck and
then you can pull it up again to do what you need to do with it.
Grab a good amount of skin on the back of its neck if you grab too little then you will be pinching
the skin which can be uncomfortable for the ferret and it will be able to get out of your grip easily. You
should grab enough skin so that the ferret relaxes, is comfortable and immobilised.
Support its back and bum always support a ferrets lower body when scruffing to protect its spine.
Scruff regularly some ferrets take a little getting used to scruffing at first but the more you do it (and
the more confident you are) the more comfortable they will feel.

When would you scruff a ferret?

When doing a regular check of its body for anything unusual (once a week).
When checking its teeth.
The vet will scruff your ferret during checkups to prevent the ferret from moving around.
When the ferret is in need of help e.g. when a ferret has gotten its toe nail caught on material and is
panicking (which could lead to more injuries).
When it has been naughty if a ferret nips it might be a good idea to scruff it to tell it that it is not
allowed to bite.
When you are brushing its teeth, clipping its nails or cleaning a wound the chances are that if you do
not scruff it for these situations, it will not stand still long enough for you to finish what you started.
To prevent biting a ferret that is in shock can behave abruptly and out of character. Therefore it is a
good idea to scruff it to prevent it biting you and to help it relax.

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Part 3. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail

I should of trained and
eaten the right food!

FERRET O

LYMPICS

What to have prepared in case of emergencies

During emergencies every second counts therefore you do not want to be caught out thinking about
what you might need to help your ferret. Every second that goes by your ferret can become more and
more distressed. It is your responsibility to help him or her as soon as possible.
Things you should always have on hand:
Normal vet contact details
Emergency vet contact details (if they are different)
Basic Ferret first aid kit for smaller accidents that may not need emergency veterinary care
Emergency kit
Normal vet contact details
Make sure you find a vet that is knowledgeable about ferrets and sees them on a regular basis. Not
all vets do, in fact I have heard of some vets thinking ferrets are rodents or felines, both having a very
different physiology to that of a ferret. This ignorance can lead to a misdiagnosis. Having a proper ferret
vet is vital and could mean life or death for your fuzzbutt. Dont be afraid to quiz your vet about their
experience with ferrets, after all it is your baby that they will be looking after.

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Tip: Before going to a vet for the first time do some research online about ferrets so that you go
in there more knowledgeable and confident. Also, you can ask your local ferret shelter which vet
they recommend, this way you are more likely to find a proper ferret vet the first time round!
Some example questions to ask a vet to see if he/she knows much about ferrets include:
How much experience do you have with ferrets?
How or where did you learn to treat ferrets?
What makes you qualified to treat ferrets? (just because they have their veterinary degree does not
mean that they actually know anything about ferrets).
Act dumb and ask whether ferrets are rodents or felinesif the vet says yes to either then run for the
hills! Ferrets belong to the muselidae or mustelid family (with weasels and stoats)
Ask the vet what ferrets are supposed to eat his answer should be meat and meat based products.
Are you available for after-hours care if my ferret gets sick at night or on weekends? If not, who do I
call?
What are the most common conditions/diseases that ferrets suffer from?
What is adrenal disease and how is it treated? What is insulinoma and how is it treated?
I heard adrenal disease is common in ferrets, is there some way we can decrease the risk or maybe
even prevent it?
I want to start feeding my ferret meat, which kinds are ok and should I cook the meat or feed it raw?
How often should I feed and play with my ferret and how much should it sleep?
Do I have to desex my ferrets? I heard that if a female ferret comes into season then she can die, is this
true? Why?
If my ferret needs surgery then will it need to fast before hand? Why? (Their answer should be that
they either do not need to fast at all or no more than 2 hours before surgery. If they say a ferret needs
to fast for any longer than that, it may be an indication that they are not up to scratch with recent
research and studies).
Just out of curiosityif an animal has obviously been mistreated due to the fact that a vet does not
have the knowledge to treat a certain animal (or they claim they can treat an animal but it turns
out that they are not qualified to do so in the first place) then what governing body can this vet be
reported to?
Tip: If you chose a vet and feel that he or she misinformed you about how much they know
about ferrets and as a result your ferret suffered or died then find a governing veterinary board
near you where you can report the vet and the practice. In Australia there is a board that looks
after each state and they can be found online through this URL www.vpb.nsw.gov.au.

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Emergency vet contact details

If your normal vet is not open 24/7 then you will need to find another one that is in case of an
emergency. As with looking for your normal vet make sure your emergency vet is experienced with
ferrets. Ask your normal vet who you would see out of normal office hours and they may be able to
recommend someone.

Basic Ferret First Aid Kit

If your ferret gets into trouble then its always worth having a first aid kit so you can help your ferret. Its
good to know what to have on hand and what its for, just in case.
Gauze for bleeding cuts
Adhesive bandage tape to keep the gauze in place
Scissors to cut the adhesive bandage tape or cut your ferret out of any material that it may tangle
itself in.
Sterile saline solution to clean fresh cuts and wounds.
A Betadine solution (or any other cut treating solution your vet may recommend) to treat cuts and
small wounds.
Antibiotic ointment for treating cuts
Cotton balls or cotton swabs to clean wounds, ears or any other dirty area.
Health records which you can take with you to the vet so that he can see the ferrets veterinary
history.
List of medications your ferret might be taking at the time to make sure they do not prescribe
anything that may react with other medications.
Emergency vet contact details so you know who to call in case of an emergency.
Nail clippers to clip the ferrets nails on a regular basis.
Styptic powder, corn starch, beeswax or a block of soap all for stopping a bleeding nail.
Tweezers for removing foreign bodies.
Nutrigel, Ferretone or any other supplement you may give your ferret just keep in mind that if
your ferret has a good wholesome diet then it does not need to get supplements on a regular basis.
The purpose of supplements should normally be for ferrets that are sick and suffering from a loss of
appetitie or to bribe them for eg, nail clipping.
Blanket or leather gloves an injured ferret or a ferret in shock can act irrationally at times and may
bite if they are in pain, no matter how long you have known your ferret

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Emergency kit
Pet carrier for transporting a sick or injured ferret
Blankets to place in the pet carrier so that they can be comfortable
A car or someone who can drive you to the vet to get to the vet ASAP

Warning: Never give your ferret a medicine specifically made for human and other animals
consumption (unless recommended by your vet)! What might be ok for you or your dog to
consume may not necessarily be good for a ferret and could kill it. Always consult your experienced
vet before giving anything to your ferret.

Have your emergency procedure memorised

Fingers crossed that you will never have to rush your ferret to the vet, however the chances are that at
some point in your ferrets life this may be necessary.
Its best to be prepared because during an emergency every minute counts and could be the difference
between life and death for your ferret.
Its best to think about possible case scenarios for when an emergency vet visit may be necessary. The
most common reason for emergency vet visits are accidents which happen in or around the home, such
as people accidently stepping on their ferrets, sitting on them, dropping them, other animals attacking
them, them eating something that they are not supposed to, or you suddenly finding your ferret very ill.
These are some steps that you can follow in case such an accident occurs, where your ferret needs
immediate veterinary care:
1. Stay calm you panicking isnt going to help you or your ferret and could lead to more accidents.
2. Check on your ferret if its in a dangerous situation, move it. However if your ferret is injured and
you are not sure what is wrong and it is not in a situation in which it could get hurt any further by
external objects/people/animals then try not to move it too much in case you cause further injuries.
3. Make sure the others are safe if you have other ferrets running around then make sure they are
safe. You do not want them to become injured as well.
4. Call for help the last thing you want to do is to run around in a panic which could lead to you
standing on another one of your ferrets, if there is someone in the house ask them to help you gather the
rest of the ferrets while you look after the injured one.
5. Get your emergency kit place them in the pet carrier onto a blanket gently and try not to move
them too much.
6. Rush them to the vet!

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Part 4. Ferret first aid and emergency care

HOSPITAL

Some things to keep in mind when using this section of the book:
1. 1. The description of the conditions, symptoms, causes, treatment and prevention methods in
this manual should be seen as a guide only, every ferret is different and therefore should be treated
accordingly. If you are ever in doubt as to what might be affecting your ferret then take it to the vet
immediately.
2. I have a saying that I always stick to When in doubt, see a vet. No matter how trivial you think a
condition might be, taking your ferret to the vet will not only give you peace of mind but could also save
it from a lot of pain and suffering, even death.
3. WHEN IN DOUBT, SEE A VET!

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Ferret First Aid

Coat
Alopecia/Seasonal Alopecia
Normally this should not be too much of a problem however a vet check is recommended.

Causes
Hormonal
Change of season
Also see hair loss

Signs
Hair loss
Baldness
Itching and scratching

Treatment
Depending on the area of the body there are several ways this can be dealt with. If there is only minor
hair loss on the tail it could mean that the ferret has blackheads (see blackheads) and may need to be
bathed. A hob (an unneutered male ferret) can also experience hair loss during mating season, this is a
result of a hormonal change in his body and the hair usually grows back once he is out of season.
If the hair loss is more severe and showing up on other parts of the body then it could be a sign of
adrenal disease (see Hair loss and Adrenal disease). If you are worried then it is worth taking your ferret to
the vet for a check-up and testjust to make sure its ok, for your peace of mind.

How to prevent it
Some ferrets suffer from a bit of seasonal alopecia and some dont. This could be due to hormones,
blackheads or a sign of adrenal disease.
Normally this cant be prevented unless its blackheads (see blackheads) because its a hormonal
condition. However new studies have shown that hair loss caused by adrenal disease can be prevented
via the injection of a Suprelorin implant under the skin. Ask your vet and see what he/she recommends.

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Hair loss
Monitor the ferret and if its condition gets worse then take it to the vet.

Causes
Excessive itching or scratching
Poor diet
Parasites
Disease
Adrenal disease
Poorly fitted collar or harness
Stress
Hormones/seasonal alopecia
Fighting or breeding
Seasonal coat change e.g. shedding fur from winter
Too many eggs or egg whites
(egg whites can cause a biotin deficiency which can lead to hair loss)
Blackheads

Signs
Loss of fur
Rat tail
Thinning or fur
Bad coat condition
Itching and scratching
Visible blackheads - that clog the pores and prevent hair from growing.

Treatment
Hair loss in ferrets is often an indicator that there may be something wrong. Neglecting to look into a
cause of hair loss can result in your ferret getting sicker and dying prematurely.
Treatment will depend on what is causing the hair loss in the first place, as it can be caused by a number
of things. A ferrets coat condition is a fantastic way of telling the state of health your ferret is in. If a coat
is thick, soft and shiny then it is a good indication that the ferret is healthy. However as soon as a ferrets
coat starts to become more rough, starts to lose its shine or falls out then it is worth taking notice of this
as something may be wrong. A vet visit is highly recommended to find out the cause. Look up the other
conditions in this manual for more information.

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How to prevent it
Although some conditions or illnesses hair loss cannot be completely prevented there still are things
that you can do throughout the ferrets life that can help reduce the chances of this happening. Some of
these include:
A high quality diet make sure the ferret gets plenty of nutrients from its diet. Only feed ferrets
ferret-appropriate food. Do not feed ferrets people food as they cant digest certain foods. Ferrets are
obligate carnivores meaning they only have the enzymes in their stomachs to digest meat or meat
based products. Make sure your ferrets are getting a high quality food, double check the ingredients
on the pack and make sure they are mostly meat based ingredients. Too much of anything else in a
ferrets diet can lead to health problems, including fur loss and poor coat condition.
Monthly flea/parasite treatment make sure you protect your fuzzy against fleas or mites which
could potentially lead to excessive scratching and hair loss and anaemia.
Plenty of mental stimulation ferrets are intelligent animals and therefore need to have their minds
stimulated with new exciting things. Neglecting to provide them with the proper mental stimulation
can cause the ferret to suffer from depression, which could lead to a decrease in its health condition
and therefore hair loss.
Check for abnormalities always examine your ferret when you are handling it to make sure that
its healthy all over (including the teeth, if a ferret cant eat properly, then it can lead to nutrient
deficiency thus hair loss).
Suprelorin implant has been known to prevent hair loss in ferrets with adrenal disease but is now
also being given to healthy ferrets to prevent the onset of adrenal disease altogether. Ask your vet
about the details.

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Hormonal Conditions
Adrenal Disease
Veterinary care is needed but you do not have to rush your ferret to the surgery straight away.

Causes
Overproducing of hormones from the adrenal gland, the exact cause is not known for sure. Some
believe desexing ferrets too early in life can be a cause but not enough research has been done in this
area. Ferrets as young as 2 years old can become affected by this disease.

Signs
Hair loss (most common sign)
Loss of coat condition
More than usual itchiness and scratching
Rashes
Dry skin
Redness
Swollen vulva in desexed females
Constantly needing to go to the toilet but nothing coming out
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Diarrhoea

Treatment
Take your ferret to the vet for tests. After they do a few tests and the vet confirms that the ferret is indeed
suffering from adrenal disease, they may recommend either a Suprelorin implant or surgery (where the
adrenal glands are taken out) or Lupron (Lueprorlin) or a combination of these options.

How to prevent it
Some research suggests that desexing a ferret before it is sexually mature can cause Adrenal disease;
therefore an option is waiting at least 4-6 months (sometimes longer with males) before getting them
desexed or not at all. Some vets have now started only using the Suprelorin implant which prevents the
ferrets from going into heat. A new implant needs to be given around every two years.
Some ferret experts also say that unnatural light cycles can induce the onset of the condition. In the wild,
polecats (the ferrets closest wild relatives) are crepuscular and are most active at dawn and dusk. So it
might be worth having a routine for your ferrets, one where they know when is playtime and when is
sleep time. Ferrets without properly set routines can potentially become stressed and anxious. When it
is sleep time make sure that their room is completely dark and quiet so that their sleep is not disrupted.
Imagine sleeping with the light on and noises in the backgroundsomething tells me you might wake
up feeling more tired and stressed then before you went to bed. Everyone likes a good routine, so do
ferrets!

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Aplastic Anaemia
Ferret needs to see a vet immediately!

Causes
Only found in female intact (jills) who have been allowed to stay in heat for too long without either being
mated, brought out of heat by a vasectomised hob or via a jill jab (injection of hormones that brings a
female ferret out of season).
Jills, once in season, usually do not come out of season until they are either brought out by mating or
via an injection of hormones (jill jab), this results in too much oestrogen build up in their bodies which
inhibits the production of red blood cells and platelets by the bone marrow. A decrease of platelets can
also cause internal bleeding.

Signs
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Swollen vulva
Weakness in the hind limbs
Hair loss
Pale gums
In some cases there may be a horrible smell and discharge out of the vulva
In some cases there may be internal bleeding

Treatment
When caught in the early stages this disease can be reversed with no long term implications. If you think
your ferret may be suffering from aplastic anemia then rush it to an experienced vet immediately for
treatment.

How to prevent it
If you are not planning to breed your female ferret then she must be either desexed or have a Suprelorin
implant injected under her skin every two years (or both) or be given the Jill jab each season.
If you are planning on breeding your jill (only experienced and knowledgeable ferret owners should ever
consider breeding ferrets) always keep a close eye on her when she is in season and make sure she either
falls pregnant or experiences a false pregnancy within 4 weeks of coming into heat (this can be done by
using a vasectomised hob).

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Insulinoma
Take the ferret to the vet quickly!

Causes
Overproduction of insulin which results in low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) due to tumours in
the pancreas
Could be caused by a high carbohydrate diet including grains, vegetables, cereals or sugar.

Signs
Weight loss
Lethargy
Depression
Salivating/pawing at the mouth during an episode
Difficulty walking
Weakness of the limbs, in particular the hind limbs
Collapsing
Ferret becoming unresponsive
Appetite can be normal but in some cases decreases
Tremors
Seizures
Loss of consciousness
Coma
Pale gums
Gasping for air
Rapid breathing

Treatment
If you find your ferret showing any of the signs above or you find it in a coma (ferret does not wake up no
matter what you do, but dont mistake it for ferret dead sleep) then quickly rub some honey, corn syrup
or any other sweet substance (such as Nutrigel) onto its gums. This should help raise the ferrets blood
sugar level, although it may take up to 20 minutes before they come to. If needed rub some more honey
on the gums. Call your vet immediately and let him/her know what is happening so he/she can prepare
for you while you hurry over.
If there is no vet nearby, when the ferret comes out of its coma make sure it has something to eat such
as an egg yolk, duck soup or some meat to help raise and maintain its blood sugar levels. Take it to
the vet as soon as possible for tests so that your vet can determine further treatment. A ferret that has
insulinoma can live for many years if it is on a high quality diet and well looked after.

How to prevent it
Insulinoma normally occurs in ferrets between the age of 4-6 years old, however there are exceptions to
this rule. A ferret with insulinoma should be given regular meals that consist of high protein levels (lots
of meat) and should avoid high carbohydrate diets and sugar at all costs (although this rule applies to all
ferrets).

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To try to prevent insulinoma in your healthy ferrets, choose a ferret kibble as a lot of commercial diets
have fillers in them such as grains and cereals. When looking for a good ferret kibble to feed your ferret
turn the package over to look at the ingredients. Try to find one where the first three ingredients are
meat based. This can be hard to get! If you are having trouble finding one then choose one which the
first two ingredients are meat based and contain as many other meat based ingredients as possible.
A ferrets diet needs to be high in fat and meat based proteins, because a ferrets short gastrointestinal
tract means that it only takes 3-4 hours for food to pass from one end to the other. This makes ferrets
inefficient when it comes to absorbing vitamins and nutrients. The fat in the ferrets diet is the main
source of their energy, while the meat based proteins are highly digestible.
Try not to buy cheaper kibbles as a lot of them (even though they may say they have the right
ingredients and % of fat and protein that is needed in the ferrets diet) actually contain fillers such as
feathers, which some pet companies still classify as protein (usually found in the cheaper brands of
kibbles). So be aware that protein can come in many shapes and forms. Make sure that your ferret is
getting the right type.
Also, dont only rely on the ferret kibble as food for your ferrets. Ferrets are obligate carnivores and
therefore should also eat lots of raw meat. This is not only healthy for them as they will be getting a
variety of nutrients from it, but also will help stimulate their brains due to the variety of flavours and
textures they will be experiencing when eating different types of raw meats. When feeding ferrets raw
meat remember to make sure it is fresh, do not give them pork, only let meats lay around for a couple of
hours (especially in hot weather) and clean the area where the meat was to avoid bad bacterial growth.
Some great raw whole foods and meat to feed your ferrets include:
Rats both a variety of pinkies and adults because the adults bones are more developed therefore
contain more calcium whilst the pinkies are just a delicious snack for ferrets.
Mice same goes as above.
Chicks
Rabbits
Mince meat some people make the mistake of getting ferrets the premium (less fat) version of
mince meat. However keep in mind that a ferrets diet actually requires lots of fat (for energy), therefore
making the regular mince meat, containing lots of fat healthier and more beneficial for them (it is also
often cheaper, making it easier on our wallets).
Beef steak its good for them to use their specially designed teeth to rip the meat apart.
Chicken chicken necks (great for keeping ferrets teeth clean), drumsticks, thighs, wings, etc.
Egg yolk apparently the egg white can cause a biotin deficiency, which can lead to fur loss.
Lamb cutlets

If your ferret does not like to eat raw meat then you can try to start it off on cooked meat,
but never feed ferrets cooked bones as they splinter and can cause serious damage to the
digestive tract. For more information on how to feed your ferret a healthy diet or teach them
how to eat meat visit the Ferret-World website (www.Ferret-World.com).

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Skin Conditions
Abscess
The ferret needs to be treated immediately!

Causes
Foreign bodies under the skin or wounds to skin resulting from injury, such as fighting.
Most common abscesses are dental abscesses, mastitis, cervical region and grass seed abscesses

Signs
Swelling
Pus
Inflammation
Infection
Tender when touched

Treatment
Apart from abscesses being extremely painful (anyone who has had an abscess themselves will know)
untreated abscesses can also cause severe secondary infections, which can lead to death (not a very
pleasant way to die). Therefore it is important to have this treated as urgently as possible.
The vet needs to drain the abscess, clean the wound with a suitable antiseptic and prescribe the ferret
an antibiotic. The ferret owner will then need to clean and bathe the affected area and administer the
antibiotic as directed by the vet.

How to prevent it
Separate fighting ferrets quickly, be aware of their surroundings to see if there is anything that could
penetrate their skin, make sure that when they eat bones they do not get them stuck in their gums.
Notice any unusual behaviour in your ferret and if you see signs or suspect an abscess may be forming,
take it to the vet.

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Bruises
Monitor ferret and take to the vet if you think it is necessary.

Causes
Essentially a bruise is when tiny blood vessels are broken or damaged due to a blow to the skin, the
raised area or discoloration on the skin is blood leaking from these vessels and pooling in one spot and
the bodys response to the trauma trying to heal itself.
Ferrets rarely bruise, the only time they might bruise is due to:
Trauma to the skin
If a ferret bruises easily then it may be anaemic or suffer from another type of disease

Signs
Yellowish or purple patches on the skin where the blood has escaped the blood vessels
Raised area
Tender to touch

Treatment
Normally a bruise will heal by itself over the course of a week or two, there are a few things that you can
do to help the healing process such as gently applying a cold compress or applying and switching a cold
wet towel to a warm wet towel (to stimulate blood flow to the area) a few times. It is possible that the
ferret will not wait around for you to do this and may want to escape your grip. In order to prevent the
ferret squirming you can scruff it to help him/her relax and hold still or bribe it with a treat (Nutrigel).
If you find your ferret bruises for no particular reason (it did not suffer a blow or trauma to the skin) then
it is wise to take it to the vet for testing as there may be an underlying condition for this to be occurring.

How to prevent it
Ferret proof the home and make sure the ferret cannot get stuck in any tight spots, climb up to great
heights and fall and hurt itself in any other way. When walking around ferrets be aware of where they are
at all times, so that you dont kick them by accident.

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Blackheads
Try to treat the blackheads yourself and monitor, take to the vet if you think there
may be something wrong with your ferret.

Causes
Build up of dirt or oil in pores (most commonly seen on ferret tails)

Signs
Black spots that look like dirt on the skin.
Hair loss (due to the pores being clogged up and hair follicles being unable to grow).
If the pores get too clogged the area can be a bit tender to touch.
Blackheads usually cause a rat tail (where the fur on the tail falls out) leaving the skin bare with visible
blackheads.

Treatment
Gently wash the affected area with a ferret friendly shampoo and repeat once every couple of days until
the blackheads are gone or hair starts growing back. Please note - there is no need to wash the whole
ferret every few days, just the affected area.

How to prevent it
Check your ferret over during playtime, check the coat and skin. Make sure the coat is full and soft and
the skin is clean with no black specks (black specks can also mean fleas check out the flea section for
more details). Also make sure the fur is not falling out and there are no bald spots which could mean
Adrenal Disease or Alopecia.

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Bleeding
If the bleeding is severe then take the ferret to the vet immediately, if it is a small cut then
make sure to monitor it and keep it clean, if uncertain then take the ferret to the vet.

Causes
Injury to the skin
Also see Cuts/wounds

Signs
Bleeding from a wound or cut (also see cuts/wounds)

Treatment
Clean the area with a saline solution (from your ferret first aid kit) or lukewarm water), make sure there
are no foreign bodies in the wound (such as dirt). Apply light pressure to the affected area to stop or
reduce the bleeding with a sterile gauze (from your ferret first aid kit). You can also use a clean towel
or cloth if you do not have any gauze at hand. Hold the pressure until the bleeding stops. Apply an
antiseptic cream (such as Betadine) and then monitor the wound on a daily basis until it heals.
If the bleeding is severe, the wound does not start healing, or if an infection to the affected area occurs
then take the ferret to the vet immediately for veterinary attention (also see bloody poop if you have
found blood in your ferrets poo).

How to prevent it
Ferret proof the home and backyard and any other area the ferret plays in and explores. Always keep an
eye out for hazards and watch the surroundings of the ferret if you take your ferrets outside of its normal
play area. Make sure your ferret is not in a dangerous situation.

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Cuts/wounds
Take the ferret to the vet if the cut or would is severe or if you think may need some medical attention.

Causes
Ferret fight,
Injury while playing
Ferret found itself in a dangerous situation

Signs
Bleeding
Inflammation
Redness
Swelling
Tender to touch
Festering of wound

Treatment
Be careful of your ferret, as a scared ferret or a ferret in pain can bite and be more aggressive. Scruff your
ferret (if possible) to calm him, you can also put on some garden gloves or wrap the ferret in a towel to
prevent yourself from being bitten.
Inspect the wound and make sure there are no foreign bodies in it. Wash the wound with lukewarm
water, saline water or chlorhexidine to make sure it is clean. Apply light pressure if bleeding (see
bleeding) and there are no foreign objects in it that could get wedged in the wound even further.
Try to get the ferret to the vet as soon as possible for further treatment if needed.

How to prevent it
Always make sure your ferret is safe from any type of harm, be sure to ferret proof its play area and always
supervise playtime inside or outside. Remove sharp objects or any other objects that could potentially
cause an injury to your ferret.

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Dry, flaky skin

Make sure that you are feeding your ferret a healthy diet and not bathing it too often. Monitor your
ferrets progress and if it seems to be getting worse or does not go away then see your vet.

Causes
Poor diet
Dehydration
Adrenal disease
Side affect of medication that the ferret is taking
Over bathing

Signs
Itching and scratching
Dandruff
Redness on the skin where the ferret has been scratching

Treatment
If a ferret is suffering from dry, flaky skin due to poor diet then you will need to slowly change its diet
to one of higher quality (try to get the highest quality kibble as possible). Do not switch a ferrets diet
suddenly as this can cause an upset stomach (diarrhoea) due to it not being used to the new food.
Some things that you can start giving your ferret to help reduce the skins dryness include:
Extra light extra virgin olive oil (a teaspoon every now and then should be ok)
High fat content minced meat
Whole raw foods (mice, rats, chicks, rabbits etc.)
Always make sure your ferret has plenty of fresh water available at all times.

How to prevent it
Make sure you feed your ferret a diet that is high in quality and containing a variety of healthy nutrients.
Do not bathe your ferret too often as it strips the protective oils from its coat and skin. A ferret that is
bathed more often will often be smellier because the oil glands will go into overdrive, overproducing oils
making the ferret smellier. It is recommended not to bath the ferret more than once a month.

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Itching & Scratching

Get to the cause of why your ferret is itching and scratching more then usual, if you are
unsure of why the ferret is itching and scratching then take it to the vet.

Causes
Ferrets are pretty itchy and scratchy creatures. However if you find your ferret itching and scratching
more than usual it could be caused by:
Fleas, mites or other parasites (see parasites)
Dry skin/flaky skin
Rash
Poor diet
Adrenal disease
Shedding fur/ change of season
Ringworm

Signs
Scratching more than usual
Uncontrollable scratching
Raw, red skin
Scratch marks or broken skin
Scratching at ears
Loss of fur

Treatment
Treatment will depend on what is causing your ferret to scratch (parasites would be treated differently
from adrenal, or skin problems).
A ferret suffering from fleas will have small black dots on its skin (when the fur is parted) or actual fleas
crawling over them. Fleas will also usually leave little red bite marks when they drink the ferrets blood
(refer to fleas in the parasites section of this book).
Ear mites tend to make the ferret extremely uncomfortable as they burrow into the ferrets ears and ear
canal (they actually burrow through the skin) therefore a ferret normally starts scratching its ears more
frequently and vigorously (see ear mites in the parasites section of this book for more details).
A poor diet can cause a ferret to itch and scratch as a lack of vital nutrients can contribute to dry skin
(from malnutrition). It is important to review a ferrets diet and check the label on the back of the food
packed to make sure it is appropriate. A high carbohydrate diet can be a cause of itchy skin as ferrets
should only have a minimal amount of carbohydrates in their diet. Make sure that the first 2 ingredients
(3 is even better but harder to find) on the food label are meat based. A ferrets diet should be very
high in fats (a lack of or low fat diets can cause dry skin and other health problems) and should also be
high in meat based proteins. Also try giving your ferret raw foods such as egg yolk, whole rats, whole
mice, whole chicks, whole rabbits, chicken and mince meat to make sure your ferret is getting all the
nutrients it needs. The better the ferrets diet, the better the coat and skin condition (which results in less
scratching).
If your ferrets skin is flaky then you can also try giving it a teaspoon of light extra virgin olive oil every
now and then, to help restore the moisture to the skin.

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How to prevent it
Keep your ferret healthy with a proper diet, check it regularly for parasites and make sure to apply an anti
flea (and other parasite) treatment monthly e.g. Puppy and Kitten Revolution. If you think your ferret may
have adrenal or any other type of disease then see your vet and discuss treatment options.

Rash
If the rash spreads quickly, gets more severe, does not go away or other symptoms of a disease
are present then see your vet immediately, seeing a vet is highly recommended

Causes
Allergy
Canine distemper
Dry skin
Parasites
Poor diet
Chemicals

Signs
Rash on the ferrets skin
Itching and scratching
Inflammation around affected area

Treatment
A rash on a ferret can mean several things, see if your ferret is showing signs of an allergy or canine
distemper. If so then it is more serious and veterinary assistance needs to be sought straight away. With
allergies you will need to talk to your vet to determine what the rash could have been brought on by
to know what to avoid in the future (unless it is a severe reaction, if so take your ferret in for veterinary
treatment immediately).
If you think your ferret may be suffering from dry skin (see dry, flaky skin) then make sure to review its
diet and do not wash it more than once every few months (the more you wash a ferret the more you
wash away essential oils on its skin and fur which help keep the skin protected).
To help with itchiness or the rash you can rub some soothing antibacterial cream onto the affected area
(ask your vet which cream is ok to use).

How to prevent it
Have your ferret vaccinated for Canine Distemper every year and monitor it for any allergic reactions.
Also make sure your ferret is on a proper diet, which is high in nutrients and do not wash him/her too
often. Wash the bedding on a regular basis using natural cleaning products that contain no perfumes or
chemicals. Avoid using chemicals around your ferret/s such as household cleaning agents, air fresheners
or washing powders. When washing a ferrets bedding, the residue of the washing powder or other
agents can cause a rash as ferrets can be allergic to certain chemicals (either by breathing them in or
having direct contact with them).

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Ringworm
(also known as dermatophytosis and dermatophycosis depending on the type of ringworm)
Take your ferret to the vet for treatment as soon as possible to avoid the fungi spreading
further, getting worse or affecting your other animals.

Causes
Ringworm is a fungal skin condition/infection that affects a variety of animals including ferrets. Most
commonly kits or young ferrets become infected, normally transmitted to ferrets via cats who are
carriers, but do not necessarily show signs of the infection. Spores from a carrier can shed into the
environment and survive for up to 18months. Ferrets can become infected via direct contact with a
carrier animal or grooming items (such as brushes, blankets or wash cloths). Humans can also infect
ferrets if they have handled a carrier and did not wash their hands before handling their ferret.

Signs
Loss of hair in a particular area with what looks like a lesion in the area
The lesion can appear scaly or flaky
Excessive itching on the area
The lesions can grow and expand into larger roundish areas
Inflammation of the skin
The affected areas may become red, raised and crusty
If the animal scratches and breaks the skin then a secondary bacterial infection can occur
A vet will need to examine the area to confirm that it is ringworm

Treatment
Be sure to separate the infected ferret from other animals, wash and disinfect the bedding and toys with
bleach or chlorhexidine diluted in water (with a 1:10 ratio). Clean all areas of the house with the same
solution; unfortunately ringworm is immune to most other household cleaners.
In otherwise healthy ferrets the infection can normally resolve itself after a while if the ferret is well
looked after and given a nutritious diet. However in more severe cases the vet may prescribe oral
medication and ointments to treat the affected areas.

How to prevent it
Wash your hands before handling your ferrets, keep the ferrets area clean and be wary of ferrets playing
with other animals you think may not be looked after properly. Clean or disinfect any grooming tools
between animals.

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Unforeseen Accidents
Allergic Reaction
Rush the ferret to the vet immediately if a severe allergic reaction is occurring.

Causes
An adverse reaction to a vaccination
Allergic reactions can also occur from foods or something that the ferret has eaten, or chemicals which
ferrets may have been exposed to.

Signs
Swollen face normally around the eyes (squinty eyes)or nose or mouth
Swelling or a lump where vaccine was administered
Pale gums
Lethargy
Vomiting, seizures
Diarrhoea
Shaking and shivering

Treatment
An allergic reaction to a vaccine will normally occur within the first hour after it was given so it may be a
good idea to hover around or near the vet surgery during this time.
If for any reason you find that your ferret is showing any signs of an allergic reaction then keep it warm
by wrapping it in a blanket and rush to the vet immediately.

Prevention:
If you know your ferret suffers from allergic reactions when vaccinated then speak to your vet about
what your other options may be instead of vaccinating.
However keep in mind that you never really know for sure if your ferret will react to an allergic reaction. I
have known of many ferrets that never had a reaction to a vaccine and then one time they did. So always
monitor your ferrets very closely and react accordingly if you see any symptoms.

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Broken bones or fractures

Take the ferret straight to the vet for treatment!

Causes
Falling from heights
Dog attacks
Ferret been stood or sat on etc.
Heavy trauma to the bones

Signs
Inability to walk or unable to move
Limping when walking
Dragging of extremities
Ferret in pain and tender to touch
In some cases bone might be protruding from skin
Some ferrets will vocalise that they are in pain by crying

Treatment
Gently place the ferret in a small box or carrier to restrict movement, try to minimise any movement as
much as possible (including you touching it). Please be careful as a ferret in pain or distress can bite (no
matter how long you have known him/her for).

How to prevent it
Always supervise the ferret during playtime and know of its whereabouts when you are walking from
one room to another. If your ferret likes to Superman off the bed then make sure it has a pile of pillows
and blankets to fall onto and cushion its landing (especially older ferrets). Check under your bum when
sitting down to make sure there is no ferret where you are about to sit or lay down. Make sure ferrets
have not crawled into any adjustable chairs or sofas before readjusting them. Always be aware of the
ferret and its surroundings and watch out for danger.

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Drowning
Take the ferret straight to the vet for treatment!

Causes
Ferrets tend to be naturally fairly good swimmers (not excellent, but capable) however they cant last
longer than a few minutes of swimming. After that they will fatigue.
If left unattended without the ability to stand and breathe could lead to the ferret drowning.
Some examples of where ferrets can drown:
Pools
Baths
Dishwashers
Washing machines
Buckets
Toilets
Other pools of water in or around the house where a ferret cannot get out of

Signs
Not breathing
Not moving much or at all
Gagging or unable to take a breath
Dead (worst case scenario)

Treatment
If you have found your ferret drowning, quickly get it out of the water, try to clear its air ways by swinging
it lightly upside down (hopefully some of the water will drain out). Wrap the ferret in a blanket, rag or
towel and rush to the vet.
If the ferret still is not breathing and you are too far away from a vet you can try to gently resuscitate it by:
Look in its mouth and make sure nothing is restricting its airway such as its tongue or foreign objects
Gently lay the ferret on its back and close its mouth
Very gently blow a tiny amount of air through its nose (dont overdo it by trying to blow too much air
into its lungs, as a ferrets lungs are MUCH smaller than a human lung. If you blow too much air into
them you could seriously damage the ferrets lungs making the already deadly situation even worse).
Stop. Check to see if that worked
Repeat if necessary
If the heart is not beating then you can try to gently massage its chest

How to prevent it
Always supervise your ferret when it is out and make sure you ferret proof your home. Get into the habit
of closing the toilet lid after use (thats right boys, the lid must go downif not for your girlfriend, then
definitely for your ferrets!), checking the dishwasher and washing machine before use and making sure
your ferret has no access to large pools of water. If you do let your ferret have a swim in a baby pool in
the hot months of summer then never walk away leaving the ferret unattended.

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Dog attack
Take the ferret straight to the vet for treatment!

Causes
Dog (sometimes these things just happen and the best thing you can do is try to save your ferret).
Walking your ferret/s in the park and not checking your surroundings for dogs
Ferret escaping and going into your neighbours backyard where there are dogs

Signs
Ferret being attacked by a dog - your ferret will be very lucky to survive this.

Treatment
Separate the dog from the ferret (please be cautious and do not put yourself at risk or in danger). If the
ferret is still alive then quickly wrap it in a towel, blanket or your jumper to keep it warm (as it would have
gone into shock see shock) and rush it to the emergency vet immediately! Every second will count, the
faster you get the ferret to the vet the greater the chances are of it surviving.

How to prevent it
Do not walk your ferret where there are dogs about. When walking your ferret always be wary of your
surroundings and make sure there are no dogs charging towards your ferret/s. Also make sure that if your
ferret plays in the backyard that there are no holes in the fence through which it can escape and get itself
into trouble. Always keep an eye on your ferret whether it is playing inside or out. Tell your neighbours
that you have ferrets as pets (and maybe even introduce them to each other). Educate them on what to
do if your ferret accidently finds themselves in their backyard. Ask them to please keep an eye out for
their dogs and educate them on what to do if your ferret gets attacked. Tell them that you will watch out
for their pets in return.

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Poisoning
Rush the ferret straight to the vet!

Causes
Household chemicals such as household cleaners and detergents
Poisonous plants or plant intoxication (most common household plants)
Antifreeze
Petroleum products such as motor oil
Rat poison or bug bait
Drugs
Snake or spider bites

Signs
Inability to breath
Salivating
Pawing at the mouth
Distress
Sudden weakness or unconsciousness
Convulsions or seizures

Treatment
Determine what your ferret has ingested and immediately call your vet. There are antidotes to some of
these substances but your vet needs to tell you which ones they are (depending on what your ferret
swallowed). In most cases your vet will need to administer them so wrap your ferret in a blanket and rush
it to the vet immediately.

How to prevent it
Keep chemicals and other dangerous substances/items away from ferrets at all times. This should be an
exercise done when you initially ferret proof your home (and make sure you maintain this throughout
the ferrets life). Supervise your ferret during playtime and make sure its surroundings are clean and
danger free. Ferrets are very curious creatures which will try anything once. This can land them in trouble
if they are not properly supervised. Make sure to educate any house guests on picking up anything that
they may drop on the ground and tell them to not leave things in reach of the ferrets.

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Toe nail caught on material/ Ripped off toe nail

If you manage to free the ferret without any further damage then make sure to quickly clip its
nails, if the ferret has seriously hurt itself then rush it to the vet

Causes
Toe nails being too long
Toe nails snagging on materials such as your clothes or their bedding.

Signs
Ferrets toe nail caught on material
Dragging a foot which is caught to material
Distress - ferret panicking and trying to escape.
This is often accompanied by a loud distressed dooking or screaming sound
Violently trying to pull away from the snag (being caught).

Treatment
Quickly but calmly hold your ferret or scruff it to keep it calm and still. Otherwise it will most likely
squirm, wriggle and stress and try to free itself which could cause a ripped off toe nail. Untangle the
toenail from the material (you may need to cut the material to free the ferret).
If your ferret has ripped off its toenail and is bleeding then scruff it and put light pressure on the wound
with a clean towel or some sterile gauze, and try to stop the bleeding. Take your ferret to the vet to clean
the wound and get it treated (also see bleeding and cuts and wounds).

How to prevent it
Ferrets toenails grow very quickly and because most ferrets do not get the chance to dig and run around
on rough surfaces that would naturally file their toenails down, we need to clip them on a regular
basis. On average a ferrets front toenails need to be clipped every two weeks. Back toe nails tend to
grow slower however you can take the sharp point off them every two weeks to stop the ferrets from
scratching you (too much).

Please note:
Declawing a ferret is not an option as ferrets need their claws for balance. This type of procedure is
unnecessary and cruel. If you do not want a ferret to scratch you or your furniture then get a goldfish
instead.
There are a few different ways that you can clip a ferrets nails:
1. Tuck them under your arm and attempt to clip their nails that way
2. Clip their nails while they are sleeping
3. Get another person to scruff or hold your ferret while you clip its nails
4. Bribe the ferret this is my favourite method where you distract the ferret by letting it munch on
something it likes, such as extra light olive oil, Ferretone, Nutrigel or any other supplements (make sure
that the treat that you give your ferret is appropriate and safe for your ferret no sugar!). I like to flip the
ferret on its back, place the Nutrigel on its tummy and let it lick it off while I clip its toenails. Simple, cute
and very effective!
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When clipping the ferrets nails make sure that they sit still. Always be careful not to cut through the
blood vein (called the Quick) in the ferrets toenail. When you look at a ferrets nail you will see that there
is a red part and a white part. Never cut through or too close to the red part of the nail. Only cut the
entirely white part off the nail.
Want to know how to clip a ferrets nails? Jump on the Ferret-Wold YouTube channel
(www.YouTube.com/PartyFerret) to see how it is done.

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Smoke Inhalation
Rush the ferret to the vet for treatment immediately!

Causes
Lack of oxygen due to smoke inhalation (In order for a fire to burn it needs oxygen, the fire uses up any
oxygen around the area where the fire is present leading to a lack of oxygen for the ferret to breath
indoor fires are particularly dangerous for this very reason)

Signs
Cough
Shortness of breath
Noisy breathing
Eyes red and irritated by smoke and particles
in the smoke
Burns to the eyes
Change in skin colour

Swollen nostrils
Soot in nostrils and mouth
Confusion
Seizures
Loss of consciousness/ coma
Death

Treatment
Remove the ferret from the hazardous area immediately to an area with fresh, clean air (make sure
that you are not putting yourself at risk, if necessary wait for the emergency services to arrive). Smoke
inhalation can be fatal to ferrets therefore veterinary assistance should be sought straight away. A ferret
with smoke inhalation can get worse quickly!
If emergency services arrive ask them if they can give your ferret some oxygen to breath in from the
oxygen mask (do this by lightly placing the oxygen mask near, not on, the ferrets face, dont force it).
Alternatively, if you are nowhere near a vet then you can (very lightly and gently) attempt to breath air
into the ferrets lungs through its nostrils (see Drowning for how to resuscitate a ferret).

How to prevent it
As part of ferret proofing your home you should take all necessary precautions to not only look after your
ferrets but also your own safety. Make sure there are no fire hazards around the house and backyard. Fire
hazards can include:
Overloaded electrical systems
Candles
Fireplaces
Backyard fires/ bonfires (make sure they are well
secured and far away from any buildings or flammable
materials) make sure your neighbours are not building
bonfires close to your fence, shed, house etc.
Smoking (cigarettes, cigars, lighters, etc.)
Flammable liquids
Electrical wiring

Batteries
Campfires
Cooking appliances
BBQ
Heating appliances
Matches, lighters
Dirty gutters especially during
the hottest months in the year.
Broken glass left out in the
backyard on hot days.

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Odd Ferret Behaviour

Difficult, heavy breathing or fast breathing
The ferret needs immediate veterinary attention!

Causes

Flu
Lung cancer
Smoke inhalation
Respiratory system obstruction or growth
Shock
Heart disease
Pneumonia

Signs
Ferret having difficulties breathing
Rattling, heaving or wheezing sounds when breathing
Chest lifting heavily during breathing

Treatment
Isolate the sick ferret from other ferrets. Check its environment to see if there is anything that could be
causing the difficulty in breathing and then take your ferret to the vet immediately.

How to prevent it
Do not handle your ferret if youre sick with the flu (unless you wear a medical mask and wash your hands
before handling). Avoid using chemicals around your ferrets such as air fresheners, chemical cleaning
agents. Do not smoke around your ferret and keep the ferrets play areas clean to prevent the inhalation
of foreign bodies.

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Drinking Urine
Continue to monitor your ferret, if in doubt as to why your ferret is drinking its urine then
take it to the vet for a check up.

Causes

There could be a few reasons why a ferret drinks its urine:

They like it
They are being given sugary treats which is making their urine sweet
They may be dehydrated and thirsty
There may be an underlying issue/health problem

Signs
A ferret urinates and drinks it

Treatment
Urine is sterile so it is not actually bad for your ferret to drink its own urine off a clean surface.
Some ferrets just drink their own urine for no apparent reason even though they are properly taken care
of.
If your ferret has been drinking its own urine then first and foremost check that it has water to drink in its
water bowl or drinking bottle. If it does and you are worried then you can call your vet and ask him/her
what you could do next.

How to prevent it
Make sure your ferret has plenty of clean, fresh water to drink at all times (from a water bowl is preferable,
as ferrets tend to drink a lot more from them than they do from a water bottle). Do not feed your ferret
sweets of any sort or other treats that could make their urine taste sweet.
Remember! Ferrets are obligate carnivores and are only meant to eat meat and meat based products,
sweet treats that are not part of their diet can lead to insulinoma and other health problems.

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Ferret Dead Sleep

Monitor your ferret, if your ferret starts doing this on a regular basis then it could mean an
underlying issue which is worth getting checked by a vet.

Causes
In some ferrets the Dead Sleep is more common than in others and some ferrets dont do it at all. This
condition is usually normal, so you dont have to be worried. Most owners get used to it after the initial
freak out, but some people still have a heart attack each time it happens.
The cause of the Ferret Dead Sleep is still unknown although if it happens often then it could spell an
underlying medical condition.

Signs
Ferrets body goes limp
The ferret seems to be lifeless
Seems like its not breathing/ very shallow breathing
Appears to be dead

Treatment
If you are worried that your ferret might be in a coma then there are a few things you can check for to
make sure they are just sleeping. These are:
Check the ferret is warm
Check that it has a moist pink mouth
Check that he/she is breathing regularly but slowly (the breathing might be very shallow)
All of these signs should mean that your ferret is just sound asleep, so you do not have to rush to the vet.
Ferrets in a coma have cold extremities, drool, may stiffen, have convulsions and moan.
If your ferrets sleeping patterns have suddenly changed and you find that he/she is going into the Ferret
Dead Sleep more frequently, a trip to the vet is in order. Although ferrets do sleep a lot and some do
enter the Dead Sleep, be aware of your fuzzies or fuzzys sleeping patterns and any changes that occur.

How to prevent it
There really is no way of preventing ferrets from entering a dead sleep, some ferrets do it, some dont.
There is no way of telling whether a ferret is prone to this. As usual just make sure you are taking proper
care of your ferret by feeding it a high quality diet, letting it out for a minimum of 4 hours of exercise a
day and always looking after it properly.

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Hiccups
Just monitor your ferret. If in doubt then take it to the vet for a checkup.

Causes

Unknown (Eating too fast? Excitement?)

Signs
The ferret hiccups

Treatment
Its fairly common for a ferret to get hiccups and there is nothing that you can do. You can offer him/her
some water but other than that you will just have to wait for the hiccups to pass. Normally the hiccups
only last a few minutes.
If a ferret gets hiccups often and you feel there may be something wrong with it then take him/her to the
vet for a check up.

How to prevent it
As long as you are taking care of your ferret properly then there is nothing you can do to prevent the
hiccups.

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Shock
Take the ferret to the vet immediately!

Causes
The word shock is used to describe a state of serious emotional or physical stress that can be caused by:
Serious fright
Sudden serious injury
Overwhelming infection (septicaemia)
Massive haemorrhage
Heavy falls
Dehydration
Serious stress

Signs
Stress
Depression
Rapid breathing
Pale, white gums and/or nose and membranes around the eyes
Total exhaustion, weakness or collapsing

Treatment
Contact and see your vet immediately. In the meantime, wrap the ferret in a blanket to keep it warm and
at a normal body temperature (not too warm as having a ferret too warm whilst in shock can exacerbate
the condition). Control any bleeding (see Bleeding). Keep quiet and calm, loud noises can scare the ferret
further and make the shock worse. Keep the ferret quiet and calm by talking to it soothingly (but quietly)
and gently stroking it. Alternatively if your ferret feels comfortable with this, place your hand gently over
its eyes to keep them shut.
If it is a mild shock (with no injuries) and you keep a few ferrets together normally, then placing the ferret
in the cage with its friend/s can calm him/her down significantly.
Also keep in mind that a ferret that is in shock may behave differently to normal. Be cautious when
approaching or handling and make sure you do not get bitten.

How to prevent it
Always let your ferret know where you are, do not creep up or try to scare it. Ferret proof the home and
always make sure your fuzzy is playing and sleeping in a safe environment. Do not let it climb too high
and make sure your ferret is unable to fall out of a window. Always have plenty of fresh water available
for your ferret especially on hot or humid days. If your ferret has an injury or has been sick then make
sure it is treated by a vet ASAP to avoid further complications including shock.

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Spasms/ Seizures/ Convulsions

Take the ferret to the vet immediately!

Causes
Abnormal brain activity
Low blood sugar levels (hypoglycaemia) caused by insulinoma
Poisoning
Head trauma
Brain cancer
Blood electrolyte imbalances
Inflammation of brain tissue

Signs
Uncontrollable shaking caused by involuntary muscle spasms
Muscle tightening
Clenched jaw
Unconsciousness
Salivating
Vomiting
Loss of bladder control
Loss of bowl control
Ferret making noises or crying out involuntarily

Treatment
Make sure the ferret is not in a dangerous position where it could bang its head or injure itself. Move
any humans or pets away and give the ferret some space. Do not make loud noises. Switch the light off
or put a cloth over the ferrets head if possible (light and noises can stimulate the ferret even further and
cause the seizure to last longer).Do not move or touch the ferret until the seizure is over (this can cause
further injury to it), if possible time how long the seizure lasts for.
Keep yourself and others safe as well by not touching the ferret. Because its muscles will clench
automatically (not on purpose), if a finger gets too close to the mouth and the ferret bites it will hold
on till the seizure is over (trying to pry open its jaws during a seizure to remove a finger or anything else
from its mouth could result in further injury).
Take the ferret straight to the vet once the seizure is over to determine the cause of it. Try to remember
the events that led up to the seizure so that it might be easier to determine the cause.
Ferrets that have seizures are unconscious, therefore cannot feel pain (no matter how horrific it may look
or sound). Always give the affected ferret space and never try to hold it down (as this can cause further
injury). The main thing to remember is to (as calmly as possible) wait for the seizure to pass before
rushing your ferret to the vet.
One of the most common reasons for seizures in ferrets is a low blood sugar level so if after one seizure
another one starts then grab a cotton swab (this will prevent your ferret biting you), place a bit of honey
on it and try to put some in your ferrets mouth (obviously try to do this as gently as possible to avoid
injury to your ferret or yourself ). See Insulinoma for more details.

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How to prevent it
Ferret proof your home so that your ferret cannot swallow anything that is potentially poisonous to him/
her (see Poisoning) or fall off high areas. Watch that your ferret does not sustain head traumas when its
out of the cage.
Care for your ferret as best as you can, making sure that it has a great quality diet and all other essentials
for it to be healthy.

Shivering
Monitor, if ferret shivers more than usual then take it to the vet for a checkup.

Causes
Just like humans, ferrets shiver to raise their body temperature. Usually shivering can be seen after a
ferret wakes up. Shivering normally occurs when a ferret wakes up because when it sleeps its normally
high metabolic rate slows down to conserve energy. Shivering (once they wake up) helps to increase the
ferrets metabolic rate and heart rate. From experience I have found that ferrets tend to shiver more in
winter than they do in summer. Sometimes ferrets also shiver when they are excited or in anticipation,
but rarely in fear.

Signs
Trembling
Shivering
Some even describe it as vibrating

Treatment
If you just woke your ferret up and he likes to cuddle then pop him in your jumper and have a snuggle.
Alternatively let your ferret have a run around in its play area so that it can warm up by itself. Soon the
shivering should stop.
If you find your ferret shivering for any other reason then check it over to see that its alright, it could be
in shock or have something else wrong with it. If your ferret constantly shivers for no apparent reason
then it might be worthwhile taking it for a vet check.

How to prevent it
Shivering is a natural occurrence that all ferrets experience, therefore there is not much that you can
do. However if you feel that your ferret shivers more than normal then it may be worth getting him/her
checked out at the vet.

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Stressed (or depressed ferret caused by stress)

Not in need of rushing a ferret off to the vet immediately, unless it is injured, but it is a good idea
to keep monitoring it to make sure its condition does not get any worse.
If it does then act accordingly.

Causes
Sudden change in living conditions, change of owner or moving house
Death of cage mate
Ferret taken out of its comfort zone and not being familiar with its surroundings
Poor living conditions
Poor diet
Sickness
Birds squawking at it or other animals trying to attack it

Signs
Depression caused by prolonged stress
Hair loss
Weight loss
Lethargy
Constant sleeping
Not wanting to play
Depression or/and and/or behavioural problems
Sudden stress
Wide eyes
Bottle brush tail (hairs stand on end and puff out)
Ferret becoming extremely vocal or screaming
More rapid breathing

Treatment
Just like in humans ferrets can experience temporary stress or long-term stress (with the death of a cage
mate, loss of their normal carer or when moving to a new house, etc.). Temporary stress is easier to deal
with than prolonged stress. Prolonged stress can lead to bad habits and/or behavioural problems such as
not eating, pulling out/plucking its fur, etc.
A ferret that has been stressed temporarily will need reassurance from you that everything is ok by
talking to it calmly, stroking it gently, picking it up and holding it reassuringly close to your body
(obviously make sure the ferret will not lash out and bite you at this time as there is a greater risk of it
doing so at this stage). If it is injured then apply the appropriate first aid and take it to the vet straight
away.
A ferret that is suffering from prolonged stress/depression may need a visit to the vet if you have already
tried methods such as stimulating its mind with new tastes, foods, toys, games or taking it for walks,
ferret play dates etc. Other things that you can potentially try is getting a new friend for it (if it lost a
cage mate and you have the resources to keep another ferret), there are some herbal remedies that can
potentially work (ask your vet about these) or antidepressants that your vet can prescribe.

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How to prevent it
Every now and then a ferret will become temporarily stressed with loud noises or during unusual
situations, try to avoid these as much as you can.
To avoid prolonged stress/depression in ferrets make sure their minds are properly stimulated with
different tastes and textures of food (only meat or meat based products), toys and games. Check out the
101 Ferret Games & Homemade Ferret Toys ebook on the Ferret-World website for lots of cool ideas to
keep your ferrets minds stimulated.
Avoid giving ferrets away if possible because they do tend to get very attached to their owners (although
in some situations giving the ferret away can be the only solution, for example; if you find you no longer
have the time to look after it properlyjust make sure it goes to the best home possible).
If a ferrets cage mate passes away then keep a close eye on them to make sure they are not showing any
signs of depression. At first you can try to stimulate their senses and minds more by introducing them to
new things such as toys and games, taking them for walks and excursions, having ferret play dates with
other ferrets. If you find that all of this does not work then seek veterinary advice.
Ferrets that are kept in poor living conditions can also suffer from prolonged stress and depression.
I have heard lots of stories of rescue ferrets that were kept in tiny, dirty cages, with no food or water
and never allowed to play or come out of their cage. When rescued a lot of these ferrets tend to have
problems such as loss of overall condition, behavioural problems such as biting or shyness, loss of fur
and others. After a while when properly looked after those ferrets tend to play, have fun, not nip and
really enjoy life. So it is absolutely vital to make sure that your ferret is properly looked after, gets plenty
of exercise and has all it needs to lead a happy life.
Ferrets that get a poor diet can also suffer from depression because they are often not getting the
nutrients needed for their body and brain to function properly (the same happens with humans). A high
quality diet is essential for mental wellbeing.
Sickness can also cause depression in ferrets especially if they are sick for prolonged periods of time.
Nobody likes to feel unwell and neither do fun-loving ferrets. To try to avoid your ferret from getting sick
make sure you look after it properly throughout its whole life.

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Unconscious ferret
Rush the ferret to the vet immediately!

Causes
Low blood sugar levels
Concussion
Poisoning
Severe allergic reaction
Possible trauma e.g. Ferret stepped on or fell off or from great height, etc.

Signs
Ferret is unconscious
You are unable to wake it up and it is unresponsive to your voice and touch

Treatment
Check the ferrets vital signs and take note of whether your ferret:
Is breathing quickly, slowly, or not at all
Its pupils are dilated or very small
It has stiff or supple muscles
Contact your vet immediately and let him/her know what the ferrets vital signs are and the above,
to help determine how quickly your ferret needs medical attention. If it has also experienced trauma
then be sure to let the vet know. Try putting a small amount of honey or another sweet substance
underneath its top lip, on its gums as it may have low blood sugar levels (see Insulinoma), let your vet
know what the result of this was.

How to prevent it
Ferret proof your home, feed your ferret regularly. Do not allow it to go without food for too long (such as
24-48hours this is bad!). Ferrets have extremely fast metabolisms (it takes about 3h for food to enter the
mouth and exit the other end) and therefore need to be fed regularly. In fact, most ferret owners have
food available for their ferrets at all times so that they can eat whenever they feel the need.
Make sure you are always aware of where your ferret is so that you do not step or sit on it.
If your ferret has been prescribed medication then administer them as directed by your knowledgeable
and experienced ferret vet.

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Respiratory Problems
Coughing
Monitor. A cough here and there is normal but constant coughing needs to be investigated by a vet.

Causes
Flu
Hairballs
Dust
Something troubling the respiratory system (growth or obstruction)
Heart disease
Pneumonia
Allergic airway disease
Bronchitis
Diseases of the oesophagus

Signs
Occasional or regular coughing

Treatment
Every now and then a ferret will cough if something irritates its respiratory system however constant
coughing is unnatural and could mean that a vet check is imminent.
Before you rush off to the vet double check the ferrets environment to see if anything around him/her
could be the cause of the coughing. Is the area they play or sleep in particularly dusty? Is their bedding
clean and appropriate? Do not use wood chips or hay or anything that is dusty as the dust particles get
caught in their lungs and cause respiratory problems further down the track, such as pneumonia.
Do you use chemicals such as air fresheners, carpet cleaners, other cleaning agents or perfumes around
your ferret? Do you smoke around your ferret? It is best not to use any of these products around ferrets as
they are highly sensitive and can cause problems with their respiratory systems.
Another reason why your ferret could be coughing is that he or she is sick. If you suspect this may be the
case (you know your ferret best!) then take them to the vet for a check up. They could possibly have an
infection of some sort where some antibiotics may be needed.

How to prevent it
Keep the ferrets play and sleeping areas clean and dust free. Do not smoke around your ferret. Make sure
you use appropriate dust free bedding and litter. Do not use chemicals around your ferret or to clean its
play and sleeping areas. Make sure they do not come in contact with mould. A vet should investigate a
coughing ferret.

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Choking
Take the ferret to the vet immediately!

Causes
Partial or complete airway (windpipe) blockage usually due to foreign objects such as food, liquid, or
something solid that the ferret has tried to eat. Can also be due to swelling in the windpipe caused by an
allergic reaction, ingestion or inhalation of poison or toxins or injury to the windpipe. On rarer occasions
there may be a growth in the ferrets windpipe which gets bigger over time (if your ferret starts coughing
more over time then this may be the case).

Signs
Weakness
Collapsing
Blue gums
Rapid breathing at first followed by shallow or no breathing

Treatment
Tip the ferret upside down and give it a few light taps on the back of the neck to see if the foreign object
can be dislodged. Check for foreign objects in the mouth and see if you can remove them without
causing further damage to the mouth cavity.
If your ferret has collapsed and has stopped breathing then you can try a mouth to nose resuscitation
where you close the ferrets mouth and then gently blow into the ferrets nose (see Drowning - normally
only experienced people should attempt this though), rush your ferret to the vet immediately.

How to prevent it
Ferret proof the home and play areas to make sure there is nothing that the ferret can eat or choke on.
Do not cut bones up too small for ferrets when feeding them chicken or other pieces of meat on the
bone. A ferret will chew off as much as he/she can handle to swallow. When feeding meat on the bone
have a look at them occasionally and make sure everything is in order and they are managing to get
through the food ok.

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Pneumonia
Ferret must be seen by a vet immediately for treatment!

Causes
There are a few different types of pneumonia in ferrets:
Fungal inhalation of a fungal element such as mould or yeast, which can be found in soil or on damp
walls (although this type of pneumonia is very rare and mostly outdoor ferrets get it from digging in
soil).
Viral caused by a viral infection such as canine distemper or the flu (most common type of
pneumonia)
Bacterial. Caused by bacterial infections
Aspiration when a ferret inhales a foreign object and the lungs become inflamed either immediately
or over time.

Signs
Difficulty/ raspy breathing
Shortness of breath
Coughing
Unable to walk properly
Nasal discharge

Lethargy
High temperature
Loss of appetite
Blue discoloration of gums, nose or skin(cyanosis)
Faster than usual heart beat

Treatment
Isolate the ferret from any other ferrets immediately because if the pneumonia is infectious then your
other ferrets could be at risk.
The ferret should be seen by a vet ASAP otherwise this condition can deteriorate rapidly, which can lead
to death. Often the vet may take x-rays of the lungs and do some tests in order to determine the cause of
pneumonia and decide on the appropriate treatment.
Once the ferret is ready to come home you will most likely need to administer some medicines as per the
vets instructions.
Monitor your ferrets condition to make sure he/she does not get worse, treat your ferret according
to your vets instructions and also this is a good time to prepare some duck soup for your ferret to
encourage it to eat and drink. To see how to make a simple Duck soup go to
http://www.youtube/UZY1aUaBmBM (just type this into your internet browser and it
will take you to the Ferret-World YouTube video about making Duck soup).

How to prevent it
Keep ferrets away from other sick ferrets or humans who have the flu, make sure the sleeping and play
areas are clean and vacuumed (if inside) to minimise the risk of ferrets breathing in foreign bodies and
clean any mould off walls immediately do not allow ferrets to get close to it.

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Sneezing
Monitor and if it gets worse then take the ferret to the vet.

Causes
Dust up the nose
Flu
Allergies
Sniffing something with a strong smell

Signs
Sneezing
Sneezing fits

Treatment
When ferrets sneeze it is often a large bout of constant sneezes, which looks uncomfortable as it shakes
their whole head and body. Make sure the ferrets head is away from sharp or hard objects so that it
cannot hurt itself while sneezing.

How to prevent it
There is not much that you can do about a ferret sneezing (same with humans) but if you think that your
ferret may be sick then you might want to take it to a vet for a check up, to determine further treatment.
If you think that your ferret is sneezing because of dust or strong smells then keep your house as dust
free as possible. Keep in mind that a ferrets nose is close to the ground and it uses smell as its preferred
sense. Because its nose is so close to the ground it is more likely to hoover up any dust particles that are
on the ground as it runs around. To prevent sneezing bouts caused by dust, make sure that you vacuum
and clean your house on a regular basis.
If your ferret sniffs something with a strong smell and starts to sneeze then make sure to move it away
from its reach (although it is very likely that your ferret has learned a lesson at this stage and will avoid
smelling it again).

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Digestive System
Dehydration
In cases of severe dehydration ferrets need to be rushed to the vet immediately.

Causes
Abnormal fluid loss
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Ferret stops drinking water this should not happen unless they have been left without water or the
water tastes different for some reason.
Ferret is sick
Hot weather + lack of water

Signs
Weak
Lethargic/ tired all the time
Squinting and non glossy eyes
Low urine output
Dry gums
There is another way you can test for dehydration, however it might not necessarily be accurate for
older ferrets and ferrets with adrenal disease (as their skin loses elasticity).

The pinch test:

Lightly pull/pinch the skin on your ferrets neck and then let go, if the skin stays in place for a few
seconds before returning to normal then it could mean that your ferret is dehydrated. Normally the
skin should snap back into place fairly quickly (flatten out). The longer the skin takes to snap back
into place, the more dehydrated your ferret is.

Treatment
If you think your fuzzy is suffering from dehydration then it is important to take action as this condition
can be fatal. Ferrets are fairly small creatures, so they cant actually go too long without fluids.
If you think your fuzzbutt is suffering from severe dehydration then it is wise to get it straight to the vet. It
will most probably need to be put on a drip (IV into the vein).

How to prevent it
Always make sure your ferret/s have access to clean drinking water from a water bowl, especially on hot
days. Learn to recognize what a healthy ferret looks like, so that you can recognise when something is
not right.

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Dental Disease
It is very important to go to the vet as soon as possible for an oral examination and treatment.

Causes
Poor diet
Old age
Ferret not having any dental preventative care
Plaque and tartar

Signs
Plaque and tartar around and on the teeth (orange to brown areas on teeth)
Red, inflamed and tender/painful to touch gums
Dental decay (light to dark grey areas on teeth)
Smelly breath caused by gum disease
Ferret unable to eat
Loose teeth
Mouth ulcers
Weight loss
Loss of overall condition

Treatment
A ferret with dental disease will need to see a vet for teeth cleaning and possible extraction (if a tooth or
teeth are too decayed). This is something that needs to be done under anaesthetic, as it can be extremely
painful for the ferret.

How to prevent it
Get your ferret used to you checking its teeth. You can do this by scruffing it and lightly lifting its lips or
waiting for it to yawn to look inside its mouth (watch out that you do not get bitten). Check its teeth and
mouth on a regular basis so that you can catch any changes early.
Feed your ferret a high quality diet (wet/soft foods and diets high in carbohydrates increase the chances
of dental disease because they cause greater build-up of plaque which, if left on the teeth, turns to tartar
which causes dental disease).
It is good to feed your ferret a high quality kibble and whole raw foods such as mice, rats, chicks, rabbit
or other meats with bone (raw) such as chicken wings, drumsticks or necks. The bones in the whole raw
foods will act as natural toothbrushes; when the ferret chews on them they will rub against the teeth,
dislodging plaque and tartar. Another option is for you to brush your ferrets teeth with a toothbrush
(no toothpaste though, as too much fluoride swallowed by a ferret can be poisonous). Simply wet
a toothbrush and brush your ferrets teeth. You can buy a baby toothbrush with extra soft bristles
never use medium to hard toothbrushes as they are too hard on gums and end up brushing away and
damaging the gums. Gums help to protect teeth and also help keep them in place. Never feed your ferret
sweets or other sugary treats as these cause dental decay (and can cause other diseases).

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Intestinal Blockage
Ferret needs to be taken to the vet ASAP!

Causes
Ferrets have tiny intestines; therefore if a foreign object is swallowed it is most likely going to get
stuck.Anything that a ferret is incapable of digesting can potentially turn into a partial or full intestinal
blockage. Some examples include:
Sponges
Foamy things
Rubber especially ear plugs and covers from headphones.
Carrots , nuts and other hard foods (Ferrets are meat eaters they cant digest veggies, they simply dont
have the enzymes in their stomachs to do so)
Cloth or other material
Anything else that is not part of your ferrets natural diet.

Signs
Lethargy
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Poo might be non- existent, small in amount or black and sticky.
Dehydration
Tenderness of the abdominal area
Squinting eyes (lifeless looking)

Treatment
This is very serious and a vet visit is a necessity (especially for full intestinal blockages) as ferrets are small
animals and cannot go too long without food, water or defecating (especially because a healthy ferret
usually defecates every 3 hours or so they have super-fast metabolisms!)
Treatment includes x-rays (to find out where and what the intestinal blockage is) and exploratory surgery
may be necessary if the ferret does not pass the object on its own.

How to prevent it
The best preventative measure is to ferret proof your home and always keep an eye out for any dangers
that may be lying around. Do not leave things that a ferret might eat lying around the house. Keep
your carpets clean and check for food scraps under the couch or in other potential ferret hidey holes.
Supervise your ferrets when they are roaming around freely and make sure they are not stashing or
stealing things that they could ingest when they are out of your view. Regularly annoy your ferret by
raiding its secret hidey hole and taking out any objects that may be hazardous. Your ferret will only be
annoyed at you for a second (while you are doing it) but then will find other things to steal and hide, in
the meantime you will have the peace of mind that he/she is safe and sound.

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Loss of Appetite
If the ferret goes for more then 24-48 hours without food then take it straight to a vet for tests.

Causes

Depression
Bored of food
Disease
In pain
Mouth injury
Stress
Other ferrets not allowing the ferret to reach or eat the food

Signs
Ferret not eating food
Weight loss
Loss of condition
Lethargy
Not as vocal

Treatment
A ferret which is no longer eating may be either depressed e.g. loss of cage mate, change in owner,
change of location, not mentally stimulated enough, etc. If you think your ferret may be depressed then
try to mentally stimulate it more by taking it out of its comfort zone (let it explore a new room, take it to
the beach or for a walk, introduce a new food, etc.). Also give it lots of love and attention during this time
and if you do not see any improvements then take your ferret to the vet for a check-up as there may be
an underlying issue that may need to be addressed.
Check for symptoms of pain. If you think your ferret is in pain, injured or has a disease then take it to the
vet immediately.
Ferrets can get bored of their food (remember that ferrets are intelligent animals that need mental
stimulation and just like humans they get bored with the same texture and taste of food). Have their
staple high quality kibble for when they are hungry but also include whole foods in their diet such as:
Rats
Mice
Chicks
Rabbits
Egg yolk (no more than twice a week and no egg whites)
If you have a few ferrets together and you feel some are being overly dominant and not allowing others
to eat then have a few food bowls scattered over the cage or feed them separately.

How to prevent it
Always keep a close eye on your ferret/s and get to know them well so that you can quickly catch when
something is not right, such as a ferret not eating properly.

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Weight Loss
If a ferret is rapidly losing weight and overall condition and you think something
is not right then take it to the vet.

Causes
Weight loss can be caused by a number of factors, from the serious to the not so serious. These causes
and signs of weight loss are very general as it can occur in a healthy ferret as well as a sick ferret.
The causes can include:
Fat loss caused by a change in season Ferrets tend to lose weight in the Spring and then put on
weight for Winter (or at least they look fatter with all the extra fur they grow!
Hormonal changes like when ferrets come into heat (especially the males)
Cancer
Adrenal disease
A number of diseases and illnesses
Trauma or obstruction to the digestive system
Malnutrition caused by a poor quality diet

Signs
Ferret stops eating
Ferret looks slimmer, bones start to protrude more
Ferret starts shedding fur
Change of season
Ferret comes into heat
Lethargy
Diarrhea
Vomiting

Treatment
Treatment of weight loss depends on whether the ferret is healthy or sick. A healthy ferret that sheds
a bit of weight during spring and summer is completely natural and does not require any treatment
(as long as they do not lose too much weight). A healthy ferrets weight can vary about 200-300 grams
during the change of seasons.
Sick ferrets may need some help putting weight on if they seem to be deteriorating quickly and losing
condition. Please remember never to feed a ferret that is vomiting unless directed by your vet (see
vomiting).
A way that you could help a ferret put on some weight and improve its condition is by providing a high
quality diet and lots of duck soup.

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A simple duck soup recipe:

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Throw some raw chicken in a pot of boiling hot water

Boil for around 20min till it is cooked and there is a nice layer of fat on top of the water
Pull the chicken out and allow to cool
Get a raw egg yolk and drop it in the boiling water, watch it cook and fall apart into small pieces
Once the chicken is cool pull it apart into pieces and off the bone (throw the cooked bones out, never
feed any animal cooked bones as they splinter and can cause damage to the digestive tract)
6. Throw the pieces of chicken back in and cook for a further minute or so
7. Allow the soup to cool
8. At this point you can add some high quality ferret kibble or just serve it to your ferret as is.
Ferrets tend to love this duck soup and if you give them a little every second day,
they should put on weight.

EH?

How to prevent it
In some cases weight loss in ferrets cant be prevented, but the thing to make
sure is that your ferret is getting a high quality diet which is filled with a variety
of meat based foods and plenty of nutrients. Always monitor your ferrets
condition and if you feel something may be wrong then take him or her to the
vet for a check-up.

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Vomiting
Keep monitoring, if the ferret vomits continuously then it could mean something serious,
take it to the vet quickly

Causes
Eating bad food
An intestinal blockage (from eating a foreign object)
Infection of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract
Other diseases
Other systemic diseases such as liver and kidney disease
Toxin ingestion/poisoning

Signs
Ferret throwing up or gagging repeatedly,
Ferret trying to get out of your arms and running quickly for a darker spot and looking distressed.
Heaving or convulsing (sometimes this is accompanied by a hollow, repetitive sound from the
stomach)

Treatment
The worst thing that you can do to a vomiting ferret is feed it food. This could make the situation worse.
You can however offer some water but if the ferret does not want to drink it then do not force it to.
If it is bad food that your ferret has eaten, causing vomiting, then make sure you dont give him/her the
samebatch of food again.
Ferrets can become very dehydrated and may need to be put on a drip. Dont let your fuzzy suffer for
long always have a vets number on hand.

How to prevent it
Get the ferrets food from a reputable source, do not leave dangerous edible items lying around
(see Intestinal Blockage).

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Internal Organs
Kidney Failure (Renal Disease)
The ferret needs to be seen and treated by a vet immediately!

Causes
Cancer
Disease
Infections
Reactions to medications
Poisoning/ toxicity

Signs
Increase in drinking
Increase in urination
Depression
Weakness
Lethargy
Dehydration
Ulcers in the mouth
Loss of appetite
Weight loss
Poor overall condition

Treatment
A ferret with suspected kidney disease should be taken to a vet immediately especially if the cause is
due to medication or poisoning (as the kidneys can fail suddenly). The vet will assess the ferret and
decide on the type of treatment. Follow his/her instructions carefully. You may need to administer some
medications on a regular basis as per your vets instructions.

Prevention
Ferret proof the ferrets play area and remove any chemicals, medications and foods that could poison
your ferret. Feed your ferret a high quality diet and take it for regular check-ups to the vet to minimise
chances of it getting kidney disease by early detection.

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Heart disease (Cardiomyopathy)

Often there are no signs of early heart disease however a ferret that is experiencing heart
failure must be rushed to the vet immediately!

Causes
This most commonly occurs in ferrets over the age of 4 years old
Abnormal heart muscle the most common type of heart disease is a dilated heart where it becomes
larger and rounder. Another is where the walls of the heart muscle become thicker and start to intrude
on the internal chambers of the heart preventing normal heart function.
Heart valve disease. Failure of the heart valves can lead to abnormal heart function
Heartworm

Signs
Lethargy
Abnormally fast heart beat
Rapid breathing
Weakness
Loss of appetite
Coughing
Unable to walk or dragging of hind legs
Weight loss
Swelling/ fluid build-up of the abdomen or chest
areas
Pale or bluish gums
Increase in rests during play time
Abnormal heart sounds
Lowered body temperature
Sudden heart failure signs:
Unable to walk or dragging of hind legs
Abnormally fast heart beat
Rapid breathing
Coughing
Pale or bluish gums
Abnormal heart sounds
Lowered body temperature
Unconsciousness

Treatment
Ferrets with heart disease normally die without treatment.
Ferrets that have been diagnosed with heart failure early on should have a light exercise regime, lots
of high quality sleep (with no distractions such as: switching lights on and off, noise, unexpected
awakenings) minimal stress and surprises (to prevent their hearts beating faster) and a high quality diet
with lowered salt content. Administer medications regularly, as per your vets instructions.

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Sudden Heart Failure

If you believe your ferret is suffering from sudden heart failure then wrap it in a blanket, put it in the pet
carrier and rush it to the vet for treatment immediately. If the ferret survives then you will most probably
be given a treatment plan by your vet, which could include medications and regular visits. Unfortunately
the prognosis for ferrets that experience heart failure is not good, and they normally only live for a few
more months. There is no cure for this disease, only treatment. Talk to your vet about your options.

How to prevent it
If you live in an area that is warm enough for mosquitos to live, then you must treat your ferret for
heartworm. There are several preventive treatments available on the market such as Puppy and Kitten
Revolution, alternatively ask your vet for which products he/she recommends.
Make sure to take ferrets to your vet for regular check-ups, especially older ferrets over 4 years of age. You
should aim for 1-2 check-ups per year. Vets can do certain tests such as:
X-rays To check the size and shape of the heart for any abnormalities.
EKG Can help determine if the heart has any abnormal rhythms or conduction abnormalities.
Cardiac ultrasound Uses soundwaves to make an accurate picture of the heart, which helps to
determine what is causing the problem.

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Extreme Weather Conditions

Overheating / Heat Stress
A ferret suffering from severe heat stress needs to see a vet immediately!

Causes
Humidity
Heat/ summer
Dehydration
Being left in a car
Left in a hot room

Signs
Lethargy
Panting
Unconsciousness

Treatment
Wet a towel in cold water, wring it out and wrap the ferret in it. Never dunk a ferret in cold water as it
can go into shock. Give it some water as soon as possible to get it rehydrated. In severe cases a trip to
the vet immediately will be in order. The ferret may need to be resuscitated and hooked up to a drip to
rehydrate.

How to prevent it
Never leave your ferret in a car with the windows up. Even with the windows down ferrets can overheat
quickly on warm days. Always make sure your ferret has plenty of water and in summer make sure the
ferrets cage is located in the coolest room of the house. Other things that you can use to keep your
ferrets cool in summer include:
Place frozen bottles of water wrapped in a cloth in their cage
A wet towel over the cage with a fan blowing on it lightly
Container of water with ice cubes in it (make sure the container is not too deep and the ferret can get
in and out easily, see Drowning)
Frozen meat flavoured ice cubes the ferrets wont stop licking them! Although never give ferrets
frozen meat of any sort. The meat given to ferrets always must be defrosted to room temperature.
Air conditioned room
A dunk in some water fill up the bath tub with lukewarm to cool water (depending on how hot it is,
you do not want to give a shock to their bodies by putting them in ice cold water) and let them have a
play in it. Do not force them, allow them to decide whether they want to have a swim or not.
Always make sure that your ferret/s have plenty of fresh drinking water preferably from a container or
bowl as opposed to a drinking bottle (as they drink a lot more from a bowl than they do from a water
bottle).
Slowly acclimatise a ferret to the heat ferrets that slowly get used to the heat throughout spring and
summer tend to do much better than ferrets that are kept in an air conditioned home and then are
suddenly exposed to heat. A ferret that is slowly acclimatised will have a greater chance of losing its
winter coat before the true summer heat comes along.

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Hypothermia/Frostbite
If your ferret has been left outside in the cold for too long and is suffering from hypothermia
or frostbite then it will need emergency veterinary care.

Causes
Extreme cold
Winter
Ferret hutch or cage left outside during winter (in cooler climates) without any warm and dry areas.

Signs
Bluish or black discoloration of skin
Shivering
Not moving
Cold to touch
Shallow breathing

Treatment
Try to warm your ferret up gradually starting from the extremities to help the blood flow to reach or
return to those areas again, you can do this by lightly (but fairly rigorously) massaging their feet, toes
and body. Grab a heat pad and place your ferret on it. If you use a hot water bottle then make sure it has
a cover over it and is not too hot (you dont want to burn your ferret, it should be comfortably warm). If
you do not have a heat pad then lightly rub your ferrets feet and body with your hands to increase blood
flow. Once the ferret is warmer, wrap it in a warm blanket.
If your ferret has discoloration (blue or black) of the skin on its body then this means frostbite and they
will need veterinary attention immediately.

How to prevent it
If you are keeping ferrets outside in winter then its best to keep them in a hutch, which is located in a
shed (or under cover) so that they are not directly exposed to the elements. Make sure that their bedding
does not get moist (sometimes blankets can absorb moisture which freezes in freezing conditions, no
longer providing warmth to the ferret and contributing to hypothermia), straw as bedding can be good
as it does not absorb moisture (make sure it is not too dusty and that there is satisfactory ventilation in
the hutch so that the ferret can get fresh air at all times). If a ferret has a buddy to snuggle with then the
sharing of body warmth will also help them keep warm during the winter months.
In extremely freezing conditions bring the ferret/s inside or at least check on them often to make sure
they are handling the cold.

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Genital Problems
Anal Prolapse
Take your ferret to the vet as this is a very painful condition for a ferret.

Causes
Severe or prolonged diarrhoea (English spelling) or diarrhea (US)
Proliferative colitis inflammation of the lower intestine which is cause by a bacterial infection
Ferret straining too much when going to the toilet
Parasites

Signs
Pink lining of the rectum is pushed outside of anus
Ferret in pain
Ferret straining when going to the toilet

Treatment
Anal prolapse is caused when the muscles and ligaments are weakened allowing the lower part of the
large intestine to come out because the animal cant hold it in. Any type of strenuous activity can cause
it to come out again. Sometimes something as small as even just a sneeze can push the lining back out
again. Also, if the muscles and ligaments continue to weaken it will just keep getting worse.
In general a vet will need to see your ferret to determine what treatment is needed for this condition.
Sometimes a prolapsed rectum (with only minimal tissue protruding) can correct itself however a small
prolapse can get worse. If the rectum is dehydrated, red and irritated then you can put a small amount of
KY jelly on it to make the ferret more comfortable.
While your ferret is treated for this condition you may also want to make sure that it has soft stools
by feeding it a ferret laxative or light extra virgin olive oil. Watch that your ferret does not try to chew
the rectum as this could result in a massive haemorrhage. In very severe prolapsed rectum cases the
damaged tissue may need to be amputated and stitches may need to be inserted along with doses of
antibiotics.

How to prevent it
Always monitor your ferret and if you see signs of diarrhea then make sure you do not leave it too long
before taking your ferret to a vet. Always examine your ferret and its litter box for any signs of disease,
sickness or any other abnormalities.

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Swollen Vulva (female ferret genitals)

If you are an experienced ferret owner, your ferret has not been desexed and plan on
mating your ferret then this is the time to do it. If your female ferret has been desexed and
this is happening or you do not intend to breed her at all then take her to the vet.

Causes
Ferret in heat (ready to be mated)
Adrenal disease
Infection

Signs
Vulva looks swollen and pink,
Resembles an inflated football or peanut
Clear or darker fluid
Ferret keeps going to the bathroom
Looks tender or sore

Treatment
Female ferrets can go into heat from around 4-6 months of age. If you are not planning to breed your
female ferret then get her desexed, implanted with a Suprelorin implant or both. Breeding should only
be left to experienced ferret owners, as there are a lot of complications that can arise during mating,
pregnancy and birth. You do have to be knowledgeable enough to be able to recognise and handle
these problems accordingly (ferret shelters are already full of ferrets waiting for forever homes, do we
really need more?!). Another alternative is to let a vasectomised hob service her to bring her out of heat,
but they are hard to come by.
A female ferret that is left in heat for too long can suffer from aplastic anemia which can lead to death
(see Aplastic Anemia).
A female ferret that has been desexed and has a swollen vulva may be suffering from adrenal disease.
This could be an indication that she may have a tumour in her adrenal gland (see Adrenal Disease).
Having a ferret implanted with a deslorelin implant can help prevent adrenal disease, therefore is highly
recommended if your vet has access to it.
If you think your ferret has an infection then take her to the vet as quickly as possible to prevent further
complicatins.

How to prevent it
A female ferret coming into heat is completely natural, however if you are not planning on breeding your
female ferret then be sure to have her desexed, implanted or both. If you intend to breed your ferrets
then a swollen vulva is an indication that the ferret is ready to mate and should be allowed to do so, as
soon as possible.
A female ferret is normally fine in heat for the first 4 weeks, do not leave her any longer as this may lead
to aplastic anemia which usually results in death.
If you think your desexed ferret has adrenal disease then make sure to book in an appointment with your
exotic animal specialist for tests and treatment. To prevent infections make sure you keep the ferrets
cage and play areas clean and tidy.
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Eye Problems
Conjunctivitis
Take your ferret to the vet as soon as you can and separate it from other animals.

Causes
Foreign bodies in the eye such as dust, dirt or mud
Eye infection bacterial or viral eg. Canine distemper disease
Eye injury
Allergy

Signs
Eye inflammation
Watery eye/s
Yellow-green discharge or crustiness around and in the eye
Eye partially shut
Redness in the eye
Swelling
Top and bottom eyelid stuck together

Treatment
Call your vet and tell them what is happening. Its possible that your ferret will need to take some
antibiotics for which you will need to see your vet. This condition, if left untreated, could potentially lead
to further eye complications or even blindness.
Separate your ferret from any other animals immediately as this is a highly contagious condition. If you
cant take your ferret to the vet straight away then wash the eye using warm boiled water and a clean
cotton swab (use a new swab each time you clean the eye/s). Once you have used a swab once do not
use it again, get another one (otherwise you can make the infection worse). Wash the eye around 4 times
a day (unless more times is necessary).

How to prevent it
Separate infected ferrets immediately, keep the ferrets play area clean and dust free. Sometimes this is
unavoidable as ferrets love to dig in dirt and mud (and we cannot deny them that!). Always make sure
you wash your hands after treating an affected animal.

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Cataracts
If the cataract has started forming then take your ferret to the vet as soon as you can for assessment.

Causes
Trauma to the eye
Congenital causes
Chronic inflammation
Infection

Signs
Partial or whole silvery-white cloudiness of the eye
Limited vision from the affected eye or unable to see through it at all (in more developed cataracts)
Walking into walls or other objects

Treatment
Fully developed cataracts can sometimes be removed by an experienced veterinary surgeon, which can
restore a ferrets vision in that eye. An assessment of the cataract and the ferret by your vet will need to
be done to determine whether this is a possibility or not.
Unfortunately there is nothing that you can do to stop a cataract from developing further once it has
already started. Do not poke or put anything into the ferrets eye unless your vet tells you to do so.

How to prevent it
If you find your ferret has injured its eye then make sure to take it to the vet as soon as possible to start
treatment and hopefully prevent a cataract from forming.

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Poop
Normal Poop
Always monitor your ferrets poop, as it can help you quickly determine whether
your ferret is sick or not.

Normal ferret poop depends on the ferrets diet. A ferret that is fed only whole raw foods will have a
different normal poop than that of a ferret which eats kibble.
A ferret that eats kibble as the main part of its diet will usually have a tubular shaped, brown, smooth
consistency poop. A ferret that eats whole raw foods like mice, rats or chicks will have a darker poop
that also contains some small, undigested parts of bone, fur or feather. This is what keeps the insides of
the ferret clean as the undigested small pieces of bone and fur will help push food along through the
digestive system.
Also a ferret that gets an egg yolk as a treat might have poop that is slightly orange, a ferret that gets
some meat such as mince meat (without the bone) will have dark tarry poop due to the high level of
blood theyre digesting in the flesh/meat.
It is important to monitor your ferrets stools on a daily basis so that you can acquaint yourself with what
is normal for your ferret. Observing the faeces is also one of the most important parts of observing if
anything is wrong with your ferret. If the ferret becomes ill then the poop will reflect the illness, so you
better get used to looking at it!

Bloody Poop
Take your ferret to the vet immediately!

Causes
Bleeding in the late part of the intestinal tract eg, in the large intestine.
Gastric (stomach bleeding) or small intestinal bleeding

Signs
Dark tarry stools

Treatment
If you notice blood in your ferrets poop then it is best to take it straight to the vet as this could be very
serious.

How to prevent it
Make sure you look after your ferrets properly by giving them a high quality diet which contains lots of
nutrients. Always monitor your ferrets poop to check for any abnormalities and to catch any diseases or
internal injuries early.

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Tarry Black Poop

If your ferrets poop is black and tarry for any other reason apart from eating raw meat
then take it to the vet immediately!

Causes
If you feed your ferret raw meat then it is very possible that it will have black, tarry, sticky poo after its
meaty meal (usually it also smells like the meat it ate too!). However if you did not feed your ferret any
meat and it has tarry, black poop then it could mean something more sinister.
Meat diet only flesh of an animal eg. Mince meat (no bones, fur or organs)
Gastric ulcers
Gastric bleeding (stomach bleeding)
Parvo

Signs
Very dark to black poop
Sticky consistency
Smells a bit like meat (if they ate raw meat for their last meal)

Treatment
If you are feeding your ferret meat then there really is not much that you can do about it apart from
feeding your ferret whole raw foods such as mice, rats or chicks (bones, guts and all) which will give the
poo a better and more wholesome consistency. The bones and organs of the animals the ferret eats will
help pass it through the ferrets system more easily the bones, fur and organs act as a natural cleanser.
If your ferret has not had any meat and is pooping a black tarry poo then it might mean that a visit to the
vet is needed immediately.

How to prevent it
Feed your ferret a high quality ferret appropriate kibble (preferably no supermarket brands) and include
whole raw foods in its diet to help cleanse its digestive system.

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Grainy Poop/ Bird Seed Like Poop

Monitor. If you have changed the diet and things have not improved then take the ferret to the vet.

Causes
Undigested fat and starch

Signs
The poop will look like it has tiny lumps and small bits of sand or grains in it. The poop will not be of
completely even consistency. This is usually caused by dry kibble food.

Treatment
You may want to slowly take your ferret off the current food that it is on and try an alternative or feed it
some raw whole foods for a few days, then reintroduce the kibble. You can also start incorporating more
raw whole foods into the ferrets diet on a more regular basis, along with a high quality ferret appropriate
kibble.

How to prevent it
Try to only feed ferrets high quality foods and mix up their diets a bit with raw foods such as chicken,
mince (or whole steak), mice, rats, chicks, rabbit, egg yolks etc.

Stringy/Thin Poop
Your ferret most likely has a partial obstruction. If the obstruction does not pass then your
ferret will need to see the vet. Dont delay!

Causes
Partial intestinal blockage
Ferret ate a foreign object

Signs
The ferrets poop is thin and stringy
Might have trouble pooping

Treatment
In some cases a foreign object will pass naturally, however if it does not then it is most likely that the
ferret will need help getting rid of it. See your vet so he can take some xrays to analyse the severity of
the situation. It may be that he only gives the ferret some laxatives however this depends on the object
and whether it would be safe for it to pass all the way through. If the object could cause more damage
passing through (if it is a sharp bit of plastic or anything of that sort) then the vet may need to perform
surgery to remove it.

How to prevent it
Ferret proof your home and make sure your ferrets cannot ingest anything that could cause an intestinal
blockage. This includes feeding them appropriate ferret foods (meat based foods). Always keep in mind
that ferrets are obligate carnivores and that they do not have the enzymes in their stomachs necessary to
digest things such as fruit or vegies (which can cause an intestinal blockage).

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Green Poop
If the green poop persists take it to the vet immediately and separate the ferret from other ferrets.

Causes
Food moving through the digestive system too quickly without being properly digested
Rapid food changes
Lymphoma
ECE see Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis

Signs
The colour of the poop is green. The reason for this is because it skips a stage of digestion
(the end product) where the red blood cells break down, causing the brown colour of the poop.

Treatment
If the ferret keeps passing green poop over a few days then seek a vet immediately.
If you suddenly changed the ferrets food (normally only occurs with commercial kibbles) then change it
back and slowly wean the ferret off the food
Keep an eye on your ferret and separate it from the other ferrets just in case it is a contagious disease
such as E.C.E.

How to prevent it
Do not change a ferrets food suddenly as this can cause an upset stomach resulting in diarrhea and
green poop. If you want to change a ferrets diet then it is advisable to slowly wean it off the old food by
adding small amounts of the new food to its diet. Increase the amount of the new food daily until there is
no more of the old food.

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Ferret Diarrhea
If the diarrhea persists then take your ferret to the vet. Ferrets suffering from prolonged
diarrhea can become severely dehydrated.

Causes
Ferret diarrhea could be a sign that somethings wrong with your fuzzy.
When you scoop the poop from your ferrets litter tray be sure to take a good look each time. Accustom
yourself with what normal poop looks like so that you have greater chances of recognizing a problem
when it arises. Normal ferret poop is slightly soft but still has form to it.
Diarrhea can be life threatening because of the dehydrationa ferret experiences with this condition. It
does not take much time to seriously affect an animal as small as a ferret.
Some causes of diarrhea can include:
Something it ate
Stress
Intestinal blockage
Viruses (see ECE)
Parasites
Bacteria
Gastrointestinal irritation

Signs
Runny poo
Ferret unable to control bowels
Ferret poo-ing in places that it normally does not poo (sloppy poo)
Ferret looking uncomfortable when poo-ing

Treatment
If you find diarrhea in your ferrets cage then be sure to scoop some up and take a sample to the vet for
testing. Make sure your ferret is drinking plenty of water. In severe cases or if the diarrhea lasts for over 24
hours then your ferret may require hospitalisation and a drip in order to rehydrate it.

How to prevent it
Be aware of what your ferret is eating, if a type of food is making him/her sick then look for alternatives.
Always monitor your ferrets poop and make sure you are aware of any changes to their poop. If you are
ever worried or in doubt as to what a certain poop may mean then seek veterinary advice.

Lack of Poop
Take your ferret to the vet immediately! Lack of poop is not a good sign.

So you have gone to clean your ferrets toilet but there is nothing there? This could mean an intestinal
blockage. Ferrets usually poop on average every 2-3 hours (they have super fast metabolisms) so if your
ferret has not pooped for more than 24 hours take him straight to the vet.

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Parasites
Foot Mange (foot rot) Also known as Scabies or Sarcoptic Mange.
This is a very uncomfortable and painful condition for a ferret to be in, the sooner you take
a ferret with mange to the vet the quicker the mites can be dealt with.

Causes
Mites that burrow into the ferrets skin, the female mite will lay eggs within the skin while she burrows
further down.

Signs
Red, swollen paws
Hair loss
Itching
A yellow or brown crust forms on the skin
Inflammation and infections from the mites burrowing under the skin
Nails become deformed and can fall out in severe cases
The whole foot can fall off if enough damage is done by the mites

Treatment
The standard procedure to identify whether its mites that are bothering your ferret includes a skin
scraping to get a sample to look at under a microscope, however sometimes this can show up as
negative even though the ferret has mites. The vet will have to make the decision whether or not to
continue treatment.
The vet may suggest a solution to dip the ferrets feet in, however you can dip the ferrets feet in warm
water and let them soak and then gently peel the scabs off the feet. Make sure to clip the ferrets nails so
they do not get in the way (but watch out that you do not clip the blood vain called the quick). The vet
may also prescribe some antibiotics if an infection is present.
Be sure to clean the ferrets environment, blankets, toys and sleeping area thoroughly. Treat all other
animals in the house and keep the affected ferret separate.
In severe cases the legs may need to be amputated or the ferret will need to be put down, so treat this
immediately.

How to prevent it
Make sure that the ferrets play and sleep areas are always clean and keep infected ferrets (or other
animals) away from the healthy ones. Treat your ferret with puppy and kitten Revolution once a month.
Clean the ferrets litter box and cage on a daily basis to avoid them stepping in faeces.

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Fleas (Ctenocephalides felis)

Treat the ferret for fleas immediately, if you have any doubts take it to the vet.

Causes

Ferrets normally get fleas from other flea carrying animals such as cats or dogs or other ferrets.
However if a ferret is allowed to go outside and poke around where other animals have been (down
burrows and the like) then they may also get fleas from there.
Fleas will make small wounds in a ferrets skin and feed on its blood. Because ferrets are such small
animals a high infestation of fleas can cause anaemia, which can be fatal.

Signs
Excessive scratching and itching
Small black dots on the ferrets skin, flea droppings (brush the fur out of the way to have a look at the
skin).
Raw, small, red wounds on the ferrets skin from the flea bites and scratching
Visible fleas through the ferrets fur or jumping (sometimes you can notice fleas jumping on your
furniture or you may get bitten by them too)
Anaemia (in severe cases)

Treatment
You will need to eradicate both the fleas and flea eggs off the ferret and from its play and sleep areas to
prevent the fleas from bothering your ferret again. Make sure you wash all the bedding and toys in the
house and give your ferret a bath using an anti-flea shampoo. Once the ferret is completely dry apply
either a Selamectin treatment (puppy and kitten Revolution) or an Imidacloprid benzyl alcohol solution
(Advantage for puppies and kittens).

How to prevent it
Keep applying a new dose of the Revolution or Advantage once a month especially if your ferrets play
with other animals or go outdoors. Do not allow your ferret to get in contact with an animal that has
fleas. If the treatments that I have mentioned are not available in your part of the world then ask your vet
for a suitable alternative.

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Ear Mites Also known as Ear Mange (Otodectes Cynotis)

This is a very uncomfortable condition for a ferret so seek veterinary assistance as soon as
possible to prevent the situation getting worse.

Causes

Ferrets are susceptible to catching ear mites from other animals such as cats and dogs. Ear mites
normally travel from one infected animal to another and are highly contagious. However they can
also survive on clothes or blankets. A person who handles an infected animal can transfer the mites to
another animal if he/she is not careful. Untreated ear mites can lead to secondary ear infections, which
can cause many issues such as hearing loss or balance issues.

Signs
Scratching ears more than usual
Rubbing head
Shaking head
Not as playful or vocal
Ear wax has an odour
Ear wax turns dark brown or black as opposed to a healthy reddish-brown
Ear wax can sometimes look a bit like coffee grinds
A lot more ear wax produced than usual sometimes even oozing out of the ears or forming a crust
around them.
Ferret in pain

Treatment
If you suspect that your ferret might has ear mites then you will need to take him/her to the vet. The vet
will then take a sample of earwax and look at it under a microscope (the only way that you can really
confirm that the ferret has ear mites and not some other problem). Once the vet is 100% sure that it is
ear mites, then they will administer special insecticide ear drops (that only the vet can administer as
the solution of the ear drops is very strong and should not be given too often). If the ear mites cause a
secondary infection then the vet may also prescribe some antibiotics.
If you have other pets in the house then make sure to treat them for ear mites as well, as it is highly
probable that they also have them. Wash the ferrets bedding and toys immediately and clean and
vacuum their play areas.

How to prevent it
Regularly wash the ferrets bedding, toys and clean the areas in which it plays. Also be sure to treat your
ferret once a month with a selamectin solution such as Puppy and Kitten Revolution. Make sure not to
give them an adult cat or dog version, as it is too strong and can make the ferret sick.

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Ticks
Remove all ticks from the ferrets body immediately. If you are uncertain as to how to do this then
take your ferret to the vet. In some cases ticks can cause severe reactions in the host, in which case
the ferret will need to see a vet immediately.

Causes
Ticks occur all around the world (although they prefer warmer, humid climates) and feed on an animals
blood. Ticks can carry diseases and viruses as well, therefore it is very important to get rid of all ticks
from your ferrets body. Ticks will normally occur in humid areas, around rivers or lakes in highly leafy
or grassy areas with a large amount of animals (hosts) to feed off.
Ticks will normally find a tender spot on the ferrets body and bury their heads into the ferrets skin,
where they stay till they are full and fat with blood.
In some cases a ferret may become infested with ticks, which can cause anaemia along with other
diseases and infection. In this case it is best to see your vet as the ferret may need some medical
treatment.

Signs
At first you may not notice that your ferret has ticks, as they start off small. After a while (and a
considerable amount of feeding on the ferrets blood) the tick will grow large and the body will appear
engorged/inflated which you will be able to see through the ferrets fur.

Treatment
Once you find a tick on your ferret you will need to pull it out, however be cautious not to leave the
head in the skin as it can cause an infection. The way to pull a tick out is by quickly pulling them out or
plucking them. If you do not feel comfortable with this then it is a good idea to take your ferret to a vet
who can help you.
After you remove the tick wash the area with alcohol or peroxide to kill the head (if it did not come out).
Then treat the area with an antibacterial ointment cream and observe it over the next few days to be sure
that an infection does not occur.

How to prevent it
Be wary of your ferret running through moist grassy areas which ticks might inhabit. Check your ferrets
body over regularly to make sure it does not have any parasites.

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Internal Parasites
If you suspect your ferret has internal parasites then take it to the vet for treatment immediately!

Causes
Internal parasites in ferrets are rare and can only be detected by your vet when a stool sample is looked
at under a microscope. Ferrets normally pick up internal parasites from other animals like cats or
dogs who carry them into the house, or from using the same litter box. Ferrets can also get them from
drinking contaminated water or from being bitten by mosquitos (Heartworm).

Signs
Weight loss
Anorexia
Diarrhea, profuse watery diarrhea or bloody diarrhea (although this depends on the parasite and
diarrhea does not always have to occur). Also see diarrhea.
Sometimes eggs can be found in the stool of the ferret (depending on the parasite)
Fur loss in severe cases
Heart failure (could be caused by Heartworm)

Treatment
If you suspect your ferret might have internal parasites then it is advisable to seek veterinary advice. You
may need to collect a stool sample so your vet can look at it under a microscope.

How to prevent it
Clean your ferrets litter box on a daily basis and every month treat your ferret with a Selamectin solution
such as Puppy and Kitten Revolution (not the adult versions as they are too strong). Keep an eye on your
ferrets stool and overall condition changes.
Always feed your ferret fresh food from a reputable source. Be sure to give your ferret clean water on a
daily basis.

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Viruses
Canine Distemper
Take your ferret to the vet immediately. Separate the affected ferret from other ferrets.

Causes
This disease is fatal. It can be brought to your ferret on your shoes, hands and clothes and is extremely
contagious. A ferret might experience either a sudden death or in most cases it progresses over 2
weeks.

Signs
Loss of appetite 6-8 days after exposure to the virus
Crustiness/ discharge around the eyes
Rash around the chin and belly
Soles/pads on feet might thicken
Vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and severe lethargy
In the end the ferret might enter a coma

Treatment

If you have ferrets that live together and one of them starts to show signs of canine distemper then
separate them immediately. Take the affected ferret and rush it to the vet, make sure that it does not
come in contact with any other animals along the way.
Ferrets rarely survive this disease and there are no known cures. If your ferret does catch the disease
then most often than not the kindest thing to do is to have them euthanized. Otherwise they will face a
slow and very painful death.
On a very rare occasion a ferret will survive this disease, and in this instance might suffer forever lasting
effects ranging from skin, foot or brain damage. A ferrets personality will be dramatically altered if it
does suffer from brain damage.

How to prevent it
This disease can be prevented (although even vaccinated ferrets have been known to catch this virus
so always be cautious). As a kit your ferret should receive its firstvaccine at 6-8 weeks of age and then
a follow up shot at three months. After that, shots should be administered every year (at their annual
check-up).
There has been some controversy surrounding this vaccine. There have been cases (in the U.S) of ferrets
going into anaphylactic shock after the vaccine was administered. This could be due to the fact that
there are two types of canine distemper vaccine, one is appropriate for ferrets, the other is not. Always
double check with your vet to make sure they have the right one.
If you are purchasing a new ferret be sure to ask if it has had any shots before you get it (get papers to
prove shots). Sometimes pet shops will only give the first shot.
If, in an unlucky turn of fate, one of your ferrets does get canine distemper then you must clean the
affected (play and sleeping) area before allowing your other ferrets to return to it. Common household
cleaning agents should do the job as the disease can only really survive for an extended period of time
on living organisms.
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ECE (Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis)

Take your ferret to the vet immediately and separate from other ferrets.

Causes
This is a highly contagious diarrheal virus, which attacks the ferrets intestinal lining. This in turn causes
poor nutrient and fluid absorption that can result in severe dehydration, anorexia and sometimes
death. This virus is also referred to as green slime.

Signs
Vomiting
Green diarrhea

Treatment
Avoid all contact with other ferrets and wash your hands before and after touching the affected animal. It
is also wise to change your clothes after handling the sick ferret.
Take your ferret to the vet.

How to prevent it
E.C.E is more of a serious concern for older ferrets and ferrets with poor immune systems. If a younger
ferret gets E.C.E and it is treated properly then it will develop a long-lasting immunity to this virus.

Human Influenza Virus (Flu)

Monitor your ferret, if the flu persists or gets worse then take your ferret to the vet.

Causes
Catching the flu from virus carrying humans (people who are sick with the flu) or other ferrets

Signs
Watery eyes
Runny nose
Coughing
Sneezing or violent sneezing

Tiredness/lethargy
Raised body temperature
Loss of appetite

Treatment
Treatment includes a lot of rest, sleep, and loving attention. Check on your ferret to make sure that its
drinking plenty of water (dehydration is not good for a ferret). If the symptoms last for more than 3 days
(without improvement), get worse, or the sneezing and runny nose (especially if discharge is not clear) is
too excessive then see yourvet. Depending on the severity of the flu he or she may prescribe antibiotics.

How to prevent it
In order to prevent your ferret from getting sick make sure you keep it away from infected people (or
wear a face mask) and make sure you wash your hands before handling your fuzzy.

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Part 5. Looking after your little companion

through sickness and health

Before Surgery
There arent many things you have to do to prepare a ferret for surgery. However there are a few things
that you do have to remember:
Metabolisms As ferrets have faster metabolisms than other animals it is very important not to
withhold food before surgery for longer than 2 hours (if at all). A fast metabolism means that if the
ferret was to go without food before surgery then its blood sugar levels could drop during or after the
procedure leading to more complications. Therefore make sure that your ferret has access to plenty of
food and water before going in to hospital.
Carrier A pet carrier with a warm blanket to take your ferret to the vet in. You can also put some food
and water (in a water bottle) in it, but the vet should provide that also.
A hospital cage Prepare a cage that your ferret will stay in for a week after the surgery (see after
surgery for more info).
Ask your vet Ask your vet if theres anything else he or she would like you to do to prepare the ferret
for surgery.

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After Surgery
A ferret that has just gone through surgery is very fragile and should concentrate on recovery and
healing. Therefore it will need to have a lot of rest, minimal movement and no distractions during this
time (and a lot of TLC from you!). As ferrets tend to be very hardy little animals they normally start
becoming their old selves again after 1-2 days. However it is important to keep them in a smaller cage
and minimise their movement for at least 7 days, for proper healing. Always monitor your ferret to make
sure that it is getting better and not experiencing any complications. If you feel its getting worse or not
healing then take it to the vet immediately.
Minimise movement - Try not to handle your ferret too much but do check the wound on a daily
basis to make sure its healing properly. Keep the ferret in a smaller hospital cage if possible, which
is flat, with no extra levels, ladders, hammocks, tunnels, etc., that the ferret could climb on. A few cosy
blankets that the ferret can bury itself and keep warm in is all thats needed at this stage.
Separate your ferret from other ferrets and animals During healing time it is best to keep
distractions to a minimum and let the ferret concentrate on sleeping and resting. After the first couple
of days you can let the other cage mates come into the hospital cage for visits to reassure them
that everything is ok with their buddy and for the healing ferret to receive some ferret TLC. Normally
ferrets tend to be very gentle with the healing ferret but it is always best to supervise visits all the way
through, just in case.
No exposure to the elements If your ferret normally lives outside, then it is worth bringing it inside
until it heals so that it does not have to worry about the weather- heat, cold, rain, wind, etc. Room
temperature and clean blankets to snuggle in are best for healing.
Cleanliness is next to Godliness It is essential that the ferret stays in a clean cage with clean
blankets to minimise the risk of wound infection.
Food and water Make sure your ferret has access to fresh food and water at all times (unless your
experienced ferret vet says otherwise).
Medications If the vet has given you some medication to give to your ferret then administer them as
per his/her instructions.
No litter box Lay down some newspaper or scatter kitty litter in a corner of the hospital cage instead
of having a litter box. This is so your ferret does not have to climb up into a litter box and potentially
scrape its wound against it. This could cause damage to the stitches and re-open the wound leading to
complications and a prolonged healing time. Also make sure to clean the poop as soon as you can to
avoid the ferret stepping in it or getting it on the wound (this could cause infection). Most importantly
make sure that your ferret is going to the toilet properly. If there still is no poop or pee in the corner
after 12 hours then you should call your vet to let him know, as there may be complications.
Make sure your ferret eats within 12 hours of surgery If needed make a Duck soup to encourage
it to eat and have his/her normal food available for it at all times (unless your vet has given you other
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Administration of Medications
If you ever get some medication to give to your ferrets then your vet should also give you instructions on
how to give it to them, better yet, he/she should also demonstrate how to do it.
The vet should also give you some tools such as a syringe (without the needle part) for oral medications,
so that you can administer the medication easier.
Some ferrets are difficult to give medication to, so here are some tips to on how to make it short and
sweet (as opposed to long and frustrating!):
You may be lucky Get the appropriate dose (as prescribed by your vet) and let your ferret have
a sniff of it before the very first time you give it to him/her. Who knows, you may be lucky enough
to have a ferret that actually likes it and laps it up itself (although this is very unlikely). If your ferret
refuses to eat it by itself then never let it sniff the medication before giving it to him/her again,
because as soon as you give it to him/her it will have a negative association with it and will try to run
for the hillsmaking the medication administering process very unpleasant for both parties.
Wear long sleeves If your ferret is being very difficult then it may be worth wearing long clothes
because they will try to get out of your embrace and scratch you while doing so.
No Mr. Nice-Guy For this to be over and done with quickly you need to be in control. Scruff your
ferret tightly, so that it cannot move or get out of your hands. Grab the medication or the syringe
and then gently but firmly push it through the side of the ferrets mouth (going in from the side as
opposed to the front of the mouth means that there is less distance to the throat, limiting the chances
of your ferret spitting it out or splattering all over you). Quickly squirt the medication in to the mouth
but pointing towards the throat. Then make sure your ferret swallows it and cuddle him/her and tell
them how good they have been. Now is the time to shower them with kisses and say you are sorry for
putting them through that and maybe give then a lick of a treat such as Nutrigel. No one likes a bad
medication taste in their mouth!
Difficult ferrets If your ferret is shaking its head and trying to get out of your grip then scruff him/
her even tighter (so that it is unable to move), hold the ferret up onto your chest so that its head
is comfortably pressed against your chest (to minimise head movement) and quickly squirt the
medication into its mouth. You can also ask someone to hold the ferrets back to limit its movement
further.

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24h after vaccination

Most of the time ferrets tend to be fine after a vaccination however sometimes they can experience a
reaction. If a ferret is going to experience a reaction to the vaccine then normally this will occur during
the first 24 hours after it is administered. Here are some tips to keep in mind after your ferrets have had
their vaccinations:
After your ferrets have their vaccinations ask your vet what to look out for in case they were to have an
adverse reaction.
Hover around the vets practice for about 30min 1h as this is the most likely time for a ferret to
experience a reaction to their vaccination. This way if you think something may be going wrong you
will be able to get the ferret to the vet as quickly as possible for treatment.
Try to organise the vaccination on a day where you will be staying at home, that way if your ferrets do
experience a reaction you will be there to help them and get them to the vet quickly.
Read Allergic reaction for more information.

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Part 6. Dealing with the death of your Ferret

When you lose a ferret it crushes you! You cant believe that they are gone, never to return.It is amazing
what effect an animal can have on a human
A ferrets personality is electrifying and you get infected with their joy and happiness. In a way, when
they pass it is like they take that magic power with them and you feel empty. You have lost a great
companion and cherished friend.

How do you get over your loss?

It is always important to remember all the love, joy and happiness your ferret brought you. Think about
all the great times both of you had together and cherish those memories. Another great thing to do is to
ask yourself the questionwould your ferret want you to be crying and sad for too long? Probably not.
The chances are they would much rather have seen you being happy, just as they always were.
You probably gave your ferret a great life and they would have been really happy to spend their time
with you (Im sure you spoilt him/her rotten!). No matter what circumstances they passed away under,
I am sure you did the best you could with the little fuzzy throughout their life. So dont feel guilty
(although I know this can be hard at first).

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There is always a positive side to a negative experience.

Its hard to think of any positives, especially after such a big feeling of loss. However, if you choose to
think of the flip side you may actually see a few positives from this experience too:
One less ferret to take care of as horrible as this might seem, sometimes it is nice to have a bit of a
break from cleaning poop and changing their bedding.
Your bond will grow stronger with your other fuzzies if you have more ferrets, you will find that the
love you had for the ferret that passed away has to go somewhere and your other ferrets will be the
ones to benefit from it.
Different ferret dynamic sometimes you will find that the dynamic might change and that one of
your ferrets that was more distant from you might become closer to you.
Maybe another ferret needs your help more your ferret had a great life but perhaps he died for a
reasonperhaps there is another ferret out there that will need your tender loving care more?
Your bond with your family/ partner may become stronger lets face it, ferrets do need a lot of time
and attention. Perhaps now you will spend more time with your human family and strengthen your
bonds.
Your keys wont go missing you will never be late to work again! Oh waitmaybe thats not
necessarily such a good thing
As hard as it may be, always try to see both perspectives and both sides to an experience (both negative
and positive) as this will help level out your emotions and let you move on without excess heartache. It
is never easy, but later down the track you will look back on your time together, smile and be grateful for
the opportunity you had to have that wonderful little crazy fuzzbutt in your life.
If you would like to do something special for your little friend then you can always build them
a memorial page on the Dook in peace (D.I.P) page on the Ferret-World website. It is a nice
way to say goodbye and share their story with other fuzzy owners who may be going through
the same thing.

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Bonus! Let me introduce Super Ferret!

How do you keep your ferret at its health peak?

If you want to make sure that your ferret will be in tip top form during its life then here are some great
things to keep in mind for a healthy, happy, super fuzzbutt:
High quality food - To make sure the ferret has plenty of nutrients, make informed decisions about
the food you give your ferrets, make sure they are getting everything they need...dont just look at the
pretty packaging (its called marketing!), check the ingredients on the back and make sure your ferret
is getting all it needs.
Clean fresh water - To reduce the chances of internal parasites and to keep the ferret well hydrated. It
is also important to note that ferrets drink a lot more water when it comes from a bowl as opposed to
a water bottle, so try to have both in their cage if possible.
Lots of stimulating playtime - Ferrets are extremely intelligent animals and need to be mentally
stimulated otherwise they can misbehave or fall into depression. If you are stuck for ideas then you can
buy the 101 Ferret Toys and Homemade Ferret ebook off the Ferret-World website
ferret-world.com/101ferretgamesandhomemadeferrettoys.html
Lots of love and handling - Who does not like to be loved? Everyone thrives on love and care. The
more TLC you give your ferret the more you will get back, plus your ferret will be much tamer!
Fresh air and sunshine - Everyone blooms on breathing in some fresh air and sunshine provides
some much needed vitamin D. Dont coop your ferrets up in doors all the time, take them to the beach
or to a park (watch out for dogs!) and let them enjoy the outdoors occasionally.This will also help to
stimulate their intelligent little minds.
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A good vet - The difference between a good or bad vet could mean life or death for your ferret, shop
around for a vet until you find one that has plenty of experience with ferrets!
Yearly vet checks (twice a year for older ferrets) Make sure your ferret is in tip top condition and let
an expert have a look at it. This will not only give you peace of mind but also help in discovering any
diseases or conditions your ferret might have early on.
Dont desex your ferret too young It should be around 4-6 months for females and up to a year
for male ferrets. Desexing a ferret means that your fuzzy does not get the opportunity to mature and
grow up properly in a physical manner. Desexing them too early is said to cause problems like Adrenal
Disease later in lifenow how do we get this message out to some ferret suppliers?!
A variety of food - to stimulate the ferrets brain with a variety of tastes and textures (who would want
to eat the same food for the rest of their lives...eehhh not me!). Make sure you are only giving your
ferret meat or meat based products. The more variety the better! Some examples can include:
Raw fresh chicken necks (great for cleaning teeth!), wings, thigh, kiblets, legs etc.
Mince meat the normal one is better than the premium one as it contains more fat which is
very important in a ferrets diet.
Egg yolks no egg whites (as they can cause a biotin deficiency which leads to hair loss). Only
give a ferret a maximum of 2 egg yolks per week.
Whole rats, mice, chicks, rabbits etc these by far have the most nutrients out of everything
else that you give your ferret. A lot of people make the mistake of only giving the flesh of the
animal to their ferrets when really they need to be getting the whole animal to eat. You can
normally buy these at the butcher or your local trustworthy pet shop (frozen). Keep in mind
that it is illegal in some countries (such as Australia) to feed live animals to another animal
as it is animal cruelty, so buy them frozen and always make sure you defrost them to room
temperature (this is very important!).
High quality kibble buy only the highest quality kibble that you can find. The less carbs
and non meaty additives in it the better. The first 2-3 ingredients of the kibble should be
meat or meat based. Kibbles that you buy from a regular supermarket normally are filled with
everything apart from what your ferret needs (pet food companies obviously think that we are
not smart enough to figure out that they are putting our babies health at risk with the things
they add to their productsha! The jokes on them! We are getting smarter and no longer
buying their crappy products!!!) Hassle pet food companies to produce better quality foods or
boycott the ones that do not provide quality food. If a company was selling you food claiming
that it was good for your health and it turned out not to be, would you let them get away with
it? Why should it be any different for ferrets or any other animal?

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Dont wean the kits from their mother too early Ferrets should be weaned from their mothers
no earlier than 8-12 weeks of age so that they can get all the necessary nutrients from drinking the
mothers milk and also socialising and learning good habits from their mum. Human babies need to be
around their mothers for physical as well as mental reasons, taking a human baby away from its mother
too early can have a huge impact on the physical and mental development of a baby. Why would this
be any different for baby ferrets? The first 8 weeks are crucial for a ferrets development and taking
them away from their mother earlier than that is plain cruel and people or companies who do this
should be reported for animal cruelty to authorities.
Good genes Good genes are very important in ferrets as inbreeding is unfortunately fairly common
(which leads to deformities and makes the ferrets more susceptible to certain illnesses and diseases).
Make sure you are getting your ferret from a reliable source.
Check where your ferrets are coming from
Interview the breeder
Check the parents
Make sure you know about the parents background, do
they have illnesses and what did their parents die of?
Only buy ferrets from good reliable pet shops Know where pet shops source their ferrets, make
sure you look after them properly. If you see a pet shop in your area that abuses animals or does not
treat them the way they should be then report them to the RSPCA or other relevant authorities. Its time
to put a stop to dodgy pet shops that do not care for their animals. Keeping animals in poor conditions
can lead to physical, mental and behavioural problemsguess who will be spending time and money
to get those sortedYOU!

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Bonus! Natural Disasters Kit

Every now and then there are natural disasters that occur. Even though it probably wont happen to you it
is always good to know what to pack just in case. Below is a list of things to prepare or that you may need
if you quickly need to evacuate. I hope you never have to use this list!
If you have time to prepare:
Food
Water
Water bottle
Blankets
Small animal carrier
Litter
Litter box (you can get disposable ones)
Harnesses and leads
Medicines
Medicine prescriptions
Shot and vet records
Nutrigel, Ferretone (or another form of bribe)
Stuff to clean the cage with
Paper towels
Make sure you have your ferret micro chipped; just in case you get separated,
so you will be able to be reunited.
First aid kit

Last minute evacuation

If you need to quickly evacuate without warning then the best option is to grab some pillowcases and
string, throw a maximum of 4 ferrets into one pillowcase and tie the top up with a string (so they cant
get out). Alternatively if it is nearby, grab your small animal carrier and some blankets, your first aid kit,
and get out of there!
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Useful Resources
Ferret-World Website
www.ferret-world.com

Facebook page
www.facebook.com/FerretWorld

Twitter

www.twitter.com/FerretWorld

YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/PartyFerret

www.miamiferret.org/ffaid.htm
www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Body-Eyes-FM.htm
www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&S=0&C=0&A=669
www.browardferretrescue.org/firstaid.html
www.petmd.com/ferret/conditions
www.theeducatedferret.net/default.aspx - the educated ferret shelter
Ferrets for Dummies (2nd Edition) book by Kim Schilling

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Running out of ideas?

Never run out of ferret toy
and game ideas again!
Buy the 101 Ferret Games & Homemade Ferret Toys
eBook to keep your ferrets mind stimulated.

101

Games &
Ferret e Ferret Toy
s
d
a
em

Hom

e Your
Mak

Ferrets Life FUN!

ld
erret-wor.com

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ld
erret-wor

A ferret that is mentally stimulated is less likely to

misbehave or suffer from depression.
Visit the Ferret-World website at
www.ferret-world.com/ferretshop.html
to buy your copy today!

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erret-world
.com

Note

This book is not for individual sale, it is a free gift from Ferret-World to help ferret owners all over the
world to become more educated when it comes to certain diseases or conditions that could harm their
babies. You may not reproduce this content anywhere without prior permission from Ferret-World.

Designed by

Disclaimer

You should not rely on the veterinary advice or information provided in this book for diagnosis
or treatment of any specific situation. Always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice
concerning the medical condition or treatment of your own pet or animal.

fuddledesign.co.uk