Skip to content

Do you need to take your ferret to the vet?

Do you need to take your ferret to the vet?

DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this page is not meant to replace seeing a veterinarian if you think your ferret is ill. It’s only meant to supply general information on a particular illness which was obtained either from personal experience with my sick ferrets, or from books and/or the Internet.

What does it mean when a ferret has a runny nose?

Since ferrets are often bundles of energy, you might notice that your ferret is a bit less energetic or simply just laying around, much like you do when you don’t feel well. This could indicate a simple cold or may mean something more serious. A ferret that has caught a cold might have a runny nose, coughing and might even start sneezing.

How can you tell when a ferret is sick?

Just like other pets, it might be difficult to tell when your ferret is sick. Since ferrets are often bundles of energy, you might notice that your ferret is a bit less energetic or simply just laying around, much like you do when you don’t feel well. This could indicate a simple cold or may mean something more serious.

What kind of heat does a ferret like?

Ferrets have a very low tolerance to heat and cold. It is suggested that they remain in a ‘room temperature’ area. Ferrets can get severely dehydrated easily, especially in the heat, always make sure they have plenty of water available. Ferrets find temperatures above 85 degrees unbearably hot, and tend to become fairly lethargic.

Why does my Ferret shake all the time?

Shaking is an unusual sign in a young ferret. Possible causes could include: inadequate calories or nutrition (not eating or unable to digest food), pain (visceral, such as gastritis or gastric ulcers) or muscular or skeletal (from injury or ?), neurological, metabolic and even disease (diabetes, etc.)

How is a ferret prepared for a surgery?

The ferret is prepared for surgery early in the day. An catheter is placed in a vein in the front leg and the ferret is started on a constant infusion of fluids including glucose (sugar). This reduces the risks of anesthesia and surgery in these patients.

Since ferrets are often bundles of energy, you might notice that your ferret is a bit less energetic or simply just laying around, much like you do when you don’t feel well. This could indicate a simple cold or may mean something more serious. A ferret that has caught a cold might have a runny nose, coughing and might even start sneezing.

When to take your ferret to the vet?

You will want to prevent him from becoming dehydrated and may want to try giving him some rehydrating drinks made for children. If your ferret has symptoms that last longer then a few days or stops eating or drinking, this can indicate a more serious illness or disease and you should get him to the vet right away.

When you got the ferret you should have made sure you had enough money for vet bills and all the other things a ferret needs in order to be happy and healthy. This is what responsible pet ownership requires. Ferrets are animals that are genetically predisposed to a variety of diseases that require a medical diagnosis and treatment.

When do male and female ferrets come into season?

Males and females can be neutered, but there are increased risks of adrenal gland disease in neutered ferrets so it’s best to discuss the options with your vet. Jills come into season in the spring and will stay in season unless mated or the season is stopped using drugs given by your vet.

How often should I give my Ferret hormonal implants?

They are still at risk of adrenal problems after neutering, so some vets advise hormonal implants every 18-24 months to prevent this. Ferrets can get fleas and ticks in the same way as dogs and cats. They are also prone to ear mites.

What kind of melatonin should I give my Ferret?

The recommended dosage is 1.0 mg/kg daily, as suggested by several well-known ferret vets, including Dr. Jerry Murray, who is a regular contributor to Ferrets Magazine online. Oral melatonin is ‘better than nothing’, but I strongly feel that the melatonin implants are far more effective.

Is there a veterinarian that treats ferrets?

No matter where you live, finding a good ferret vet can be a challenge. And unfortunately, if you live in a rural area or a country where ferrets are simply not popular pets, you may find it a challenge to find a vet that even treats ferrets, much less a good one.

Is it bad to not have money for a ferret vet?

Not having enough money for a vet is not the ferret’s problem. When you got the ferret you should have made sure you had enough money for vet bills and all the other things a ferret needs in order to be happy and healthy. This is what responsible pet ownership requires.

Can you take a London Ferret for a walk?

London ferrets tend to be more prone to biting a lot, for some reason.) They are difficult to walk. You can take it out for walks, but you can’t expect them to walk with you. Most don’t, and for those that do, they only run in straight lines against a wall, so it is hard to cross roads with them.

Is it cruel to keep a ferret in a cage?

Keeping them caged for long periods of time is cruel, just like it would be cruel to cage a dog. Ferrets are highly intelligent animals, more so than rodents—they possess around the same intelligence as a dog or cat. They also have lots of energy that needs to be spent on playtime daily.