Whenever a ferret appears to be lethargic or there is a sudden change in its behavior, a visit to the veterinarian is recommended ( see Table: When to See a Veterinarian). Ferrets may hide signs of illness or discomfort until the illness is advanced, so a sick ferret can rapidly become critically ill.
When to See a Veterinarian
See a veterinarian immediately if you notice: | See a veterinarian within 24 hours if you notice: |
|---|---|
Weak pulse or low or quiet heartbeat | Continuous sneezing or coughing |
Bluish or white gums or tongue | Vomiting or diarrhea for more than 24 hours |
Broken bones | Excessive water consumption |
Puncture wounds to the abdomen or chest | Sudden change in behavior |
Bite marks | Sleeping more than usual and unwillingness to play |
Heavy bleeding | Cloudy eyes, squinting, or inability to see |
Burns, frostbite, or a body temperature above 105°F (40.5°C) | A rash, excessive shedding, excessive head shaking, or persistent chewing or scratching of the body |
Choking | A nosebleed for no apparent reason |
Protruding rectum | Abnormal lumps that are not painful |
Bloody, foul-smelling, or uncontrollable diarrhea | Lack of appetite but no other signs of illness |
Thick, black stools | Soft stools not accompanied by pain, blood, foul smells, or straining |
Straining but failing to defecate or urinate | Sudden weight gain or loss |
Extreme lethargy | Drooling |
Seizures | Lameness for more than 24 hours |
Staggering or other problems walking | Swollen joints |
Sudden, severe lameness | Moderate itching |
Severe or constant pain | Discharge from the eyes, ears, or other body openings |
Failure to eat or drink for 24 hours | |
Difficulty breathing or shallow breathing | |
Bloody urine, discomfort while urinating, or bleeding from the urinary or genital area |
Ferrets with an intestinal blockage will stop eating and defecating and may cough, choke, or begin vomiting with advanced disease. Any ferret with vomiting or diarrhea that lasts for more than 24 hours should be evaluated by a veterinarian because ferrets can quickly become dehydrated and weak. An occasional soft or irregular stool is not usually a problem. Bloody droppings can occur in both young and old ferrets for different reasons. Whatever the age of your ferret, if you notice bloody or dark, tarry droppings, you should seek veterinary care for your pet right away.
Poor eyesight and insatiable curiosity make ferrets susceptible to falls and other types of trauma, which may result in broken bones or internal injuries. Bent or disjointed limbs, limping, or difficulty coordinating the back legs may indicate a broken bone or other problems. There are many problems in ferrets that can lead to weakness of the back legs; any time this problem is seen, a veterinarian should be consulted.
Ferrets are very prone to developing insulinomas – insulin-producing tumors in the pancreas that produce excessive amounts of insulin that drive their blood sugar down, causing weight loss, weakness, dragging of the hind legs, and in some instances, seizures. If your ferret shows any of these signs, you should have it examined by a veterinarian right away.
