With ferrets becoming more and more popular here are some things your ferret wishes you knew.
Adrenal Tumors and Insulinomas
Two of the most common health concerns for ferrets over four years of age are adrenal tumors and insulinomas. The good
news is that both conditions are treatable and it is possible for the affected ferret to have a long and happy life. Of the two conditions, insulinomas are more difficult for an owner to recognize.
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This is Ease, although he looks healthy in this picture, his blood sugar is dangerously low and treatment
may have come came too late for him. Ease died 1-16-2001. |
Insulinomas are tumors on the pancreas which result in an over production of insulin. As a
result of the excess insulin, the ferret's blood sugar drops. A ferret with low blood sugar will be lethargic and will not do much other than sleep. Unfortunately, many owners
believe that their four or five year old ferret is just "slowing down" as a result of old age, and do not realize that this can be a warning sign for a treatable medical problem. If your
ferret seems to be lethargic, please consult your ferret knowledgeable veterinarian, who will probably recommend a glucose test.
If left untreated, the insulinomas will cause the ferret's blood sugar will drop to the point where seizures occur. As the blood sugar continues to drop, the ferret's seizures become
worse and the ferret will die. Treatment is relatively simple and low cost. The most common treatment is prednisolone, with doses that vary according to the severity of the
condition. At Fox Valley Ferret, we have had ferrets that have needed as little as ¼ tablet once every other day, to ferrets that have required a half pill twice a day. A ferret
knowledgeable veterinarian will be able to determine the appropriate dose for your ferret.
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This is Whiskers, he is scheduled for
had surgery January 12, 2001. He is exhibiting mid-stage hair loss. Because of the placement, the tumor could not be removed and Whiskers has been withdrawn from adoption and is now a PERMANENT resident of Fox Valley Ferret.
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Adrenal tumors are much easier to recognize since they have some "typical" physical symptoms. The most common symptom is hair loss that begins at the base of the
spine just above the tail. Untreated, the ferret will continue to lose his hair and will become totally bald. Along with hair loss, male ferrets can start to
exhibit the aggressive behaviors linked to mating in whole males, such as biting and extreme dominance behavior directed at other ferrets in the house. Female ferrets will typically
exhibit distended vulvas making them appear to be in heat. Although the majority of adrenal tumors are benign, surgical removal of the tumor should be strongly considered in an otherwise healthy animal.
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This is Dianne, she had both of her Adrenal glands affected. One was removed at the age of 41/2
. She is now nearly 9. |
Ferrets are born with two adrenal glands, so it is possible to remove the affected gland without harming the ferret. If
both glands are affected, your veterinarian will determine which one to remove. The ferret left with tumors on the remaining gland will continue to exhibit the symptoms of
adrenal tumor, to varying degrees. In some cases, the ferret will have only one affected gland, but the location of the tumor will make removal more dangerous than the
tumor itself and your veterinarian will choose to leave it intact. This is because the right adrenal gland is in close proximity to the vena cava and removal could cause the ferret to
bleed to death if the vena cava is nicked during surgery.Your veterinarian can give you the best advice in regard to your ferret's condition and the
treatment options available. The important thing to remember is that neither insulinoma nor adrenal tumor is an automatic death sentence. END [ Return to Top]
Nutrition
- Ferrets are obligate carnivores. This means they need meat-based diets to stay healthy. Because ferrets do not
have cecums or ileocolic valves, they are physically unable to digest fruits and vegetables, or to get the nutritional value out of pelleted food that is not animal based.
- Ferrets have three to four hour digestive tracts. This means that three hours after they eat, they pass the waste from
that meal. This requires ferrets to eat frequently throughout the day. They should have free access to food unless there is some special circumstance.
- Ferrets who get out of their cages to run and play on a regular basis will rarely develop weight problems provided they are being fed a balanced ferret diet.
- Ferret food is available at pet supply stores, but be careful, not all ferret food is created equal. Some are premium;
others are equal to grocery store brand dog or cat food. Just because the name is widely know doesn't make the food the best. Ask a ferret shelter or ferret vet for recommendation.
- If you feel you must feed your ferret cat food, feed a premium kitten food. Look for 35% protein. NEVER feed a
ferret dog food. It is high in fat and low in protein and will result in health problems for your ferret.
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Health
- Clumping cat litter can be FATAL to ferrets. They tend to dig around in it and it can get in the nose and clump, suffocating the ferret.
- Ferrets chew. Ingesting foam rubber, vinyl or rubber from toys can cause intestinal blockages, which can be fatal. Ask your vet or ferret shelter about ferret safe toys.
- Even though some pet stores use wood chips in ferret cages, it is not good for ferrets. They have sensitive
respiratory tracts and the dust can irritate their lungs. In addition, cedar tends to sedate the ferrets.
- Ferrets can catch a cold or the flu from you, and can give it back to you. If you are sick, don't kiss your ferret on the nose!
- Ferrets have an average life span of 6-8 years, but this is improving as more is found out about ferret nutrition and
medicine. Ferrets should have yearly physicals just like dogs and cats to catch any problems early.
- Ferrets should have distemper shots yearly. This is especially important in young and old ferrets, and ferrets that live with dogs. Canine distemper KILLS ferrets.
- Ferrets should see a Veterinarian who is familiar with ferrets. Their needs are different from dogs and cats, especially if there is a health concern such as adrenal tumors or insulinomas.
- Adrenal tumors and insulinomas are fairly common in Marshall Farms ferrets over 4. The good news is that both
conditions are treatable and do not have to have a big impact on your ferrets life span or quality of life.
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Personality and other information
- Ferrets are social animals. If you are considering getting a ferret, please consider getting two. Ferrets living with
other ferrets will still love their human family, but will be happier and more content than ferrets living alone. Even
ferrets that have been alone for a long time will usually adjust to another ferret in a week or two.
- Ferrets love you back, but are not recommended for children under 8.
- When ferrets play with each other, they nip and play bit each other. A ferret that hasn't been taught any different
will attempt to play with his human in the same way. Striking the ferret will not teach it differently-it will teach the
ferret that people hurt. Scruffing and positive reinforcement are the best training tools. Ask your vet or a ferret shelter for more info.
- Ferrets are very curious. If they can get their heads into an opening, the rest of their bodies will soon follow.
Ferrets who get out of the house quickly become lost and can't find their way home.
- Ferrets have been domestic longer than cats and have had the hunting and survival instincts breed out of them. They depend on us for survival.
- If a ferret has to choose between food and attention, the ferret will choose attention, to the point of starvation.
Please don't make your ferret choose. Make sure there is plenty of time for play and attention along with consistent access to food and water.
- Some ferrets will use litter pans nearly all the time. Some ferrets will use a litter pan some of the time. Some ferrets will insist on pooping next to the litter pan no matter what.
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