Adrenal Gland Cancer (Adenocarcinoma)

What is it? - Tumor in the adrenal(s) gland.

This is cancer of the adrenal glands and is the second most common form of cancer in ferrets. Symptoms include hair loss(usually starting at base of tail), dry and brittle coat, thinning of skin, lethargy, consumption of more drinking water, and more frequent urination. Also, occasional swollen vulva in female ferrets and a high sexual aggression in male ferrets. The skin also becomes intensely itchy with red patches, scaling and flaking.

Solution: Surgery to remove the infected gland(s). The right gland is tougher to remove than the left gland which makes the surgery more of a risk to the ferret.


Estrus

What is it? - Female Ferret in Heat.

Symptoms include: Swollen vulva, temperment change, lethargy, often results in aplastic anemia if left unattended; which results in the death of the ferret.

Solution: Take out of heat with vasectomized male ferret or get spayed immediately.


Insulinoma

What is it? - Pancreatic Tumor(s)

This cancer is of the pancreas and is the common form of cancer suffered by ferrets. This disease causes abnormally high levels of insulin to be produced, which causes sugar to be driven to the cells too rapidly. This then causes a drop in the blood sugar levels and the ferrets brain begins to starve. Resulting in the ferret behaving abnormally. Symptoms include seizures, staring blankly for a few minutes then returning to normal, drooling or salivating, enlarged spleen, pawing at mouth frantically, increase surge of insulin, nausea, lethargy, and semiconscious state. If your ferret does start to have seizures give your pet some honey and water by mouth until the pet is alert or seizures have stopped. Then consult a vet.

Solution: Drugs can be used to prolong the life of the ferret, surgery is also an option; but, not curative.


Lymphosarcoma

What is it? - Abnormal Lymphnodes, cancer.

This is cancer of the lymphatic system, which is part of the body's immune system. Noticeable symptoms include swollen lymph nodes, enlarged spleen, lethargy, poor appetite, labored breathing, coughing, diarrhea or hind leg weakness. This cancer is usually diagnosed through blood tests. If you believe your ferret may have this condition, I would advise you see your vet immediatley for tests.

Solution: Drug Therapy(Chemotherapy)


Rabies

It is recommended that ferrets recieve there vaccinations for Rabies at 3 months and then annually. Ferrets, like any other animal, are prone to this problem. So, it is important not only to your pet but, to you as well. Rabies is often fatal to humans.
Symptoms: Lethargy, posterior paralysis and anxiety.

Solution: Get Euthanized immediately.


Canine Distemper

What is it? - A Virus.

Vaccinations should take place at 8 weeks of age, three months of age and 5 months of age. After that a ferret needs the vaccination every year. Vaccinations for this should not be taken lightly because even if your ferret is not exposed to a dog does not mean it is protected. Canine Distemper can be carried on clothing, shoes or hands. Symptoms are loss of appetite (6 - 8 days after exposure), swollen feet, diarrhea, very thirsty, runny eyes/nose, rash under the chin. Later stages will include vomiting, convultions, and shortly before dying, will pass into a coma.

Solution:None, 100% fatality rate; euthanize immediately.


Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE) - description from PetEducation.com

What is it? - Viral Infection

This virus affects mature ferrets, not kits or even juveniles. The older the ferret when it is exposed to the virus, the more likely it is to become severely ill or die. The first sign of the disease may be vomiting, then greenish watery diarrhea begins, causing severe dehydration. Most ferrets would die in a few days without adequate treatment, and some die in spite of intensive care because they are unable to digest and absorb food. A ferret that has watery diarrhea for more than 12 hours is at risk of fatal dehydration. Because some of these animals are so sick, home treatment is not appropriate. They must be hospitalized until the acute part of the disease is under control, because they require intravenous fluids and nutrition.

To protect your ferret from this disease, avoid taking him anywhere there are other ferrets of unknown status. Ferret shelters have had to change their policies because they cannot tell which animals have been exposed to the virus. Those that have recovered are capable of infecting other animals for at least 6 months and probably longer. Because of this, many responsible shelters will not allow people who already own ferrets to adopt shelter ferrets.

The virus can be carried on shoes, hands, and clothing. You must be careful where you buy or acquire ferrets. A perfectly well ferret can introduce ECE into a household of susceptible ferrets, causing an outbreak of diarrhea that, without proper care, can kill as many as half of them. Veterinary care may be prolonged and costly. You will have to decide what risks you are willing to take.

Solution:Keep the ferret hydrated. Use antibotics to prevent any secondary infection that may occur. Keep the ferret eating, use supplements such as Nutrical or the Duck Soup Recipe. Pepto Bismo or Kaopectate may also be used to coat the stomach and help with diarrea. Keep your ferret warm, dry and in a quiet place away from others.


Intestinal Tract Obstruction

What is it? - Ingested foreign bodies, hairballs

This is usually caused by swallowing of foreign material such as rubber from soft pet toys, rubber from shoe soles, pencil erasers, hairballs, and bits of rubber bands. Symptoms may not appear immediately. Objects can roll around for days even months in the stomach causing periodic blockage. Symptoms of this are lethargy with loss of appetite and vomiting, pawing at the mouth, dehydration, no bowel movements, and tender areas on the lower body. Once the object has entered into the intestine, there probably is a complete blockage and food and fluids cannot move through. This results in rapid dehydration. Death may occur within 24 to 48 hours. Symptoms at this point include severe depression, dull, lifeless looking eyes, bloating and tenderness of the abdominal area and vomiting. If any of these signs are noticed, go to the vet immediately.

Solution:Consult your vet for x-rays immediately. Administer Laxatone/Hairball Remover while on the way to the vetrinarians office.


Heat Stress/Heat Stroke

What is it? - Overexposure to High Temperatures.

Ferrets become lethargic in temperatures over 80 degrees. Anything higher could result in death due to heat exhaustion. To prevent this problem:
  • No Unair-conditioned car trips on hot days
  • Provide a constant source of fresh drinking water
  • Keep well- ventilated cages in a shaded area

    Solution:If your ferret shows signs of heat stress (panting, bright red gums, tongue hanging from mouth, signs of weakness, muscle tremors, lying perfectly flat or unconscious) take immediate steps: Cool them off, wrap them in a damp towel and get them to the vet. DO NOT submerge them in ice cold water!


    Ear Mites

    What is it? - Mites in the Ears

    The symptoms are frequent head shaking, stratching of head(ears), lots of dark crumbly debris, rubbing of ears on floor, or crying. If any of these signs are notice could be caused by these parasites that also cause the ear to look extremely dirty(due to over excessive ear wax production). This not serious and can be easily treated by a vet. If left alone, can cause severe suffering to your ferret. To avoid this incident, make sure your ferrets ears are cleaned weekly and remember ear mites are contagious.

    Solution:Ivermectin Drops or numerous other treatments.


    Cold & Flu

    What is it? - A common virus

    Ferrets are just as susceptible to the same type of cold and flu virus as humans. Avoid any ferret contact with an infected person if possible and make sure your hands are washed before handling. If your ferret has the virus, symptoms will last no longer then two to three days, if appetite is poor or other symptoms appear, visit your vet.

    Solutions: Should only last a few days. If it has been longer then three days and is accompanied by poor appetite, etc.. see your vet immediately. Other than that, make them as comfortable as you can.


    Cardiomyopathy/Heart Disease

    What is it? - Enlarged Heart

    This is a disease of the heart muscle which primarily affects males over three years old. The muscle becomes thickened, causing it to pump less blood per beat, leading to poor circulation and eventually death. Symptoms include increased sleeping time, collapsing for short periods during play, lethargy, poor appetite, coughing, respiratory distress, irregular breathing, and bloated abdomen.

    Solution:Consult your vet immediatley.


    Dental Disease

    What is it? - Infection of the gums

    Symptoms include tartar buildup, pawing at the mouth, loss of appetite, tender to the touch, red or bleeding gums, chewing on one side of mouth.

    Solutions:See your vet for a dental check up.


    Mast Cell Tumors

    What is it? - Tumors

    Symptoms include Crusty circular lesions, usually benign.

    Solutions:Consult your vet immediately.




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