Sick ferret – Symptoms of a sick ferret

Website design By BotEap.comEven if your pet ferret is active all the time, they still get sick just like us. But because they usually hide their symptoms, it becomes a challenge for owners to know if they are sick or not. Unlike cats and dogs, they get sick easily. Here are some symptoms to watch out for before it’s too late.

Website design By BotEap.comLet’s start with the physical changes. A sick ferret usually has weight loss, abnormal hair loss (especially at the base of the rump, shoulders, tops of legs, and head), lumps or bumps, a distended tummy (belly large disproportionate to the rest of the body), shortness of breath or labored breathing, buttock or general weakness, lesions, scabs, red or bleeding gums, unusually smelly ears, black residue in or around the ears, and blinking or squinting an eye. Excessive sneezing, vomiting, skin lesions, and eye or nose discharge are also symptoms to watch out for.

Website design By BotEap.comBehavioral symptoms include lethargy, constipation, diarrhea or dirty bottom, drooling or frantic pawing at the mouth, straining to urinate, poor appetite, teeth grinding. Also consider staring into space, lying down every few steps, sleeping more than usual, playing less than usual, sudden aggression towards other ferrets, sexual behavior (mounting) in neutered males, excessive scratching and itching.

Website design By BotEap.comThe above symptoms can be found in different diseases. Your ferret may be diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, adrenal disease, epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE), pancreatic cancer, lymphosarcoma, gastric ulcers, or other diseases.

Website design By BotEap.comWhat’s next?, you ask. The most sensible thing to do is take him to the vet. A combination of all the above symptoms can indicate different types of diseases. It’s okay to look up information on the Internet or ask others, but don’t take it upon yourself by making assumptions, going crazy, or using medication recommended by a website. It is best that you trust the diagnosis and treatment of your veterinarian.