Special Problems of Pet Ferrets

Ferrets have several unique problems; understanding these problems will allow you to better care for your pet and minimise future health care problems.

Enlarged spleen

During a physical examination, it is not uncommon for your veterinarian to find an enlarged spleen, especially if your ferret is an older pet. While not a sign of any one disease, it does indicate the need for further investigation. Several diseases that can result in spleen enlargement include inflammation, malignant tumours, and heart disease. Obviously an enlarged spleen is a serious sign that indicates the need for complete laboratory testing to determine the cause. Occasionally, diagnostic tests are negative for a specific disease, in which case the diagnosis of "benign hypersplenism" or "benign splenomegaly" will be made.

Heat stroke

Ferrets are very susceptible to extreme heat, and as such their environmental temperature should be kept below 26°C (80°F). Just like dogs and cats, ferrets don't sweat. Heat stroke is manifested by open mouth breathing and an elevated rectal temperature (normal temperature is between 37.7°-38.8°C (100-104°F); average temperature is about the same as dog and cats (38°C or 101.5°F). Heat stroke is a true emergency. First aid involves rapidly cooling the ferret by running cold water over its body, fanning it, or whatever is needed to rapidly reduce its body temperature. Be careful not to chill the ferret or cause shivering; if shivering results, stop the cooling process. After a few minutes of attempted cooling, rush the ferret to your veterinarian. Medical care by your veterinarian includes temperature reduction (often with cold water enemas or cold fluids instilled into its abdominal cavity). Hospitalisation is required to monitor vital signs.

Canine distemper 

Ferrets can contract the dog distemper virus. As in the dog, the disease can be fatal. Ferrets should be vaccinated against this disease. Clinical signs include loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea a thick eye and/or nasal discharge, pneumonia and often a rash on the chin, abdomen, or groin. Footpads may thicken (hardpad). If they survive these signs then neurological signs develop. Few, if any survive, and the combination of signs is almost unique. Therefore euthanasia is advised.

Human influenza

Ferrets can contract and spread human influenza, or flu. Signs are similar to people with the flu (or to ferrets with distemper). Sometimes the submandibular lymph nodes swell and form abscesses. Treatment consists of antibiotics and decongestants. Occasionally fluid therapy or force feeding by the veterinarian will need to be done. NEVER give your ferret any over-the-counter medications or prescription drugs without checking with the veterinarian first. Like dogs and cats, ferrets can be easily poisoned or killed with common human medications.

Aleutian Disease

This is reported as being a common viral problem of ferrets causing hindlimb weakness/paralysis and kidney failure. It is, in fact very rare outside of laboratories. Routine screening tests for mink are not accurate in ferrets so routine screening is now not generally recommended.