Common Diseases

Ferrets are the only animal in the world that catch flu like humans do. Symptoms can be a runny nose, sneezing, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Just like in humans, this will usually pass on its own, although in serious cases, amoxicillin is usually prescribed to help any secondary infections.

Epizotic Catarral Enteritis (ECE)
Also known as the green slime disease, ECE is a very contagious virus, that as of yet, has no preventative, and no cure. Symptoms of ECE include dark green slimy diarrhea, lost of appetite, lethargy, birdseed like stools, and is extremely contagious. If you have ECE, every ferret in your household will come down with it. ECE is usually not fatal, except in older ferrets, especially those with other diseases. ECE attacks the digestive system, and it is thought to cause permanent damage. Young ferret, under a year, may only have symptoms for a day or two. Older ferrets may have symptoms anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. In these cases, the ferret will need to be force fed in order to survive. Duck soup is usually a good place to start. The ferret may also need pedialyte, or even subcutaneous fluids, and an antibiotic for secondary infections. Interferon is a cat drug thought to help ferrets with ECE. Once a ferret has been exposed to ECE, they can be carriers of the virus for up to a year without showing any symptoms.

Insulinoma
Insulinoma is a cancer of the pancreatic beta (insulin producing cells). The tumors produce an excessive amount of insulin, which drives the blood sugar (glucose) into the body at too rapid of a rate. Symptoms include staring blankly into space, drooling, lethargy, hind end weakness (drunken walk), and little appetite. Insulinoma will eventually progress to death if not treated. Treatment consists of surgery to remove the tumors, which may or may not help, in addition to a prescription of Prednisone, which will not cure the cancer, but will slow down the growth, and treat the symptoms. Insulinoma is the opposite of diabetes which is extremely rare in ferrets, although not unheard of.

Adrenal Tumors
Adenomas and Adenocarcinomas are becoming more and more frequent in ferrets over the age of three. Adenomas are adrenal tumors that are benign, adenocarcinomas are malignant. These tumors are not quite cancer, but close. There are three different kinds: left side, right side, and bilateral. Most tumors are left sided, some right sided, and a few bilateral. Symptoms include hair loss, swollen vulva in a spayed female, urinary blockages in a male, and ferrets acting like they are in heat (overly friendly to other ferrets). Very rarely does it affect energy until the final stages. In fact, some ferrets seem to have more energy in the beginning stages of the disease. Treatment consists of surgery to remove the affected adrenal gland, which can be very difficult if it is right sided or bilateral due to the vena cava. The only alternative is Lysodren (aka Mitotane) which is almost a kind of chemotherapy. Some people have also had good luck with Lupron. Lysodren can have many side effects, and needs to be monitored closely. Without treatment, ferrets will have maybe 6-18 months after onset of symptoms, with treatment, 12 months to a full life.

Lymphosarcoma
Lymphosarcoma is a cancer of the lymphatic system. Somewhat similar to lymphoma in humans, diagnosis can be made using a combination of CBC, biopsy of lymph or popliteal nodes, Thoracic fluid and/or bone marrow aspirate, and cytology. Symptoms can include an enlarged spleen, lumps, or masses on the body, wasting and lethargy. Treatment consists of a chemotherapy protocol, including Prednisone, vincristine, cytoxin, which may cause remission, but has only a 70% success rate, Alkeran, which may or may not help, or Prednisone alone, which will treat the symptoms, but not the disease.

Helicobacter Mustelae Infection (Gastric Ulcers)
Gastric ulcers are commonly seen in ferrets that have been under stress. Most ferrets have the bacteria that cause gastric ulcers already in their system (it's passed to them by their mother from nursing), so a blood test usually does not show much. However, it is only harmful if it flares up, which can be caused by stress such as a new ferret, a change in the environment, a change in owners, or an illness. Gastric ulcers are easily treated, but without treatment, fatal. Symptoms include loss of appetite, bloody or dark tarry stools, grinding of teeth, and in extreme cases, gagging and pawing at the mouth. Treatment is usually either Flagyl, Amoxicillin, and Pepto Bismol daily for six weeks, or Biaxin, Amoxicillin, and Pepto Bismol daily for two weeks. The latter treatment is much faster and usually better received by the ferret.

Cardiomyopathy
Cardiomyopathy and/or Congestive Heart Failure is when the heart muscle begins to weaken and cannot pump all of the blood normally. As the blood begins to back up, it fills the area around the heart, and gradually, the lungs. Very similar to what occurs in humans, cardiomyopathy is a debilitating disease in which the symptoms can be treated, but the disease will run its course. Symptoms can include a persistent cough, lack of energy, and difficulty breathing. Diagnosis can be made by EKG, or x-ray. Treatment consists of diuretics such as Lasix, which will help keep the fluid down. Stress can be fatal to a ferret with CMP. Keep things as normal and steady as possible.

Medicines
Giving medicines to a sick ferret can at times be quite a challenge. When giving a pill, open the ferret's mouth, pop the pill in the back of the throat, close the ferret's mouth, and massage the throat to encourage swallowing. Another way is to disguise it in food or treats. When giving a liquid medicine, a 1 cc syringe without the needle is probably the easiest way. At first, let the ferret taste it, once in a rare while they may actually like it. If not, scruff the ferret, and slowly release the syringe in the side of the mouth. In cases where the ferret absolutely detests the taste, wrap the ferret securely in a towel, scruff, and release the syringe slowly in the side of the mouth. Try to follow this with a treat, to get the taste of the medicine out of the ferret's mouth. If a subcutaneous medicine (giving a shot) is required, scruff the ferret, and shoot the medicine into the scruff. If you use a brand new needle, not the one that has drawn medicine out of a rubber stopper, it will go in much, much easier.

Basic Treatments
Following are some over the counter remedies you can use to help a sick or ailing ferret. Just remember, there is no substitute for veterinary care.

Triaminic - for colds, give 0.2 ccs once or twice daily, or as directed by vet
Benadryl - for allergies and allergic reactions, give 0.25 ccs once or twice daily, or as directed by vet.
Pepto Bismol - for upset stomachs, give 0.25 ccs twice daily, or as directed by vet.
Pepcid A/C - for upset stomachs, make up solution by grinding one 10 mg. pill with 10ccs of water, and mix very well. Give 0.25 ccs once or twice daily or as directed by vet.
Aspirin - give only in extreme cases, and under the supervision of a vet. Aspirin can cause gastric bleeding and other problems. If directed, give ¼ tablet of baby aspirin once daily. Do not under any circumstances ever give Tylenol or Ibuprofen, they are toxic to ferrets. Any other over the counter remedies, please check with your veterinarian first.

Please remember that there is no substitute for veterinary care. If you experience anything out of the ordinary, please see a veterinarian.

Ferrets require a distemper series or 2 to 3 shots in three week intervals. Most states require rabies. NEVER VACCINATE FOR BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. If there should be a reaction you would not know which vaccine they are reacting to. There should be at least a 2 week interval between distemper and rabies vaccinations to minimize stress on; your ferret’s immune system. Because of the possibility of reactions, never leave the vet office for 45 minutes to an hour after your ferret has been vaccinated. If your ferret is going to have a reaction you want professional care immediately available. Ferrets can get canine distemper, which is 100 percent fatal. Be sure to vaccinate your ferret as there have been epidemics of this disease. Vaccinations are the only way to protect your ferret from this deadly disease. Distemper is an airborne disease. Even if your ferret never goes outside, he still needs protection. Most pet shops and reputable breeders will start your kit with his first booster shot. Ask them for written proof of vaccination. Kits should be vaccinated at 8, 11, and 14 weeks, followed by a yearly booster.

The only rabies vaccine approved for ferrets is IMRAB-3 killed virus. Many states require all healthy ferrets 3 months old and older be vaccinated yearly. Do not let strangers handle your ferret. Should you take him out in public, take his proof of vaccination with you. Should there be a bite or scratch incident, insist on quarantine for your ferret and not rabies testing!