Ferret Health
How To Avoid Ferret Health Problems
Avoiding ferret health problems usually involves implementing a program of good nutrition, having a clean environment, and giving the pet ample opportunities to socialize, and have plenty of room to roam and play in. Many pet diseases have their roots in cramped and unclean living quarters, and/or either a lack of sufficient nutrition or of the right kinds of nutrition. As the saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Knowing what ailments are most likely to affect your pet ferret can go a long ways towards avoiding them entirely, or nipping things in the bud if the animal shows symptoms or becomes ill.
Some ferret health problems are caused by genetic detects and there is little you can do to prevent them. One genetic related ailment, more common to certain colors in ferrets, is called the Waardenburg syndrome. Ferrets with this condition often have distinctive facial markings. Three-quarters of the ferrets with this syndrome are partially or completely deaf, and often give birth to stillborn kits.
Other health problems, dental problems in particular, can be treated or avoided entirely. Dental problems can lead to very serious consequences, including the death of the animal. One of the first indications is a buildup of tartar on the teeth. While not harmful in itself, if tarter begins to irritate the gums it can lead to gingivitis, abscesses, and more serious problems in the bloodstream. Tartar buildup can be removed by a veterinarian, or can often be prevented entirely through a diet of raw meat and bones. Dental abrasion, through chewing, can also cause health problems. Chewing can be often attributed to boredom. A ferret who has ample opportunities to play and exercise will be less likely to experience this type of a problem.
Ferrets are susceptible to canine distemper, which is nearly always fatal. Keeping the pet indoors is a help, but this extremely contagious disease can be carried inside the house. Vaccination is the only real protection, although vaccination itself can sometimes have unpleasant side effects. Ferrets are also subject to various cancers, particularly cancers of the adrenal glands, prostrate, and the pancreas. Surgery will sometimes either cure these ailments or delay their spread for a time. As is the case with many small animals, when a disease has reached a state where symptoms become obvious, it is often too late to do much about it.
The most common cancer ferrets experience is lymphosarcoma. There are two types, one which affects mainly juvenile ferrets, and the other which is more prevalent in ferrets 6 to 7 years of age. Lymphosarcoma can be treated surgically, or through radiation or chemotherapy. The symptoms unfortunately are usually not obvious until the disease is well advanced, and the prognosis for the animal is generally not good. Most experts believe that at least some of these cancers can be avoided through proper care and nutrition.
You can also help keep your pet healthy by seeing that its vaccinations, especially against rabies and canine distemper, are administered annually, and that your pet also is given at least an annual checkup. Another good tip for ferret health is to keep the ferret well groomed, its nails trimmed, and its ears periodically cleaned. Finally, don't become alarmed if your ferret sleeps most of the time. It's very active when awake, so needs its rest to regain energy. The ferret is said to sleep more than any other domesticated animal.