Typical Ferret Conditions and Diseases

Typical Ferret Conditions and Diseases

Adrenal Disease

Adrenal disease is one of the most usual conditions that ferrets can have. The extension or growths of the adrenal gland commonly needs surgery. Loss of hair at the tail up to the head of a ferret is an external symptom that is caused by an adrenal disease. In some circumstances, the vulva of a female ferret becomes bigger. It could be fatal if left untreated. However, if the disease is seen early then the ferret will have a high recovery rate.

Ear Problems

Cleaning your ferret’s ears is simple and very important. If left unclean, they can get ear mites and other conditions or the wax can solidly form. Using a simple remedy of ear cleaner can help remove the wax. The ferret will intensely shake its head to take off the wax on their ear. A tresaderm and a small ear cleaner can treat ear mites. It should be done for seven consecutive days. Use a magnifying glass and a flashlight to check if there are still substances left in the ear. The ear canal of a ferret is shaped like letter ‘L’, just be careful on piercing the eardrum.

ECE

An inflammation of the mucous membranes is called Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis, also known as Green Slime Disease. It generates stinky, slimy and green feces while having a diarrhea. Without treating the disease, it may last for at least two weeks. But there’s a 20% rate that it can be dangerous that leads to atrophy. This is why it is recommended to treat the disease as early as possible. The treatments for this disease are still being studied because it has only been known ten years ago.

Cancers

Four year old ferrets are most likely to develop cancers and tumors. Surgery can treat them, but some can kill ferrets. However, at a young age, ferrets are not prone to cancer unlike cats, dogs and humans. Nevertheless, because of their exploratory and curious behavior, it’s advisable to make sure that they don’t come near to appliances and things at home that can lead to cancer. Organic solvents an benzene are popular to increase the danger. Make sure that your house is ferret-proof.

ADV

The parvovirus ADV or commonly known as Aleutian Disease Virus can vitiate ferrets. It can result to fast and too much weight loss. Although its symptoms are treatable, unfortunately, the disease itself is fatal and incurable. The transmission of the disease can be through feces. An infected but not affected ferret, who is a carrier, can probably pass the disease to other ferrets. It is advisable that you test your animal using Counter Immune Electro Phoresis (CIEP) before having a new ferret at home.