Sickness Signs and Symptoms
Common Symptoms and Possible Causes
Note: Consult with your vet if your
ferret is acting unusual! While you are "the first line of defense" for
your pet's health, a trained professional can help ascertain what the combination of
symptoms may mean. A vet, not your spouse, best friend, other ferret owner, or the local
shelter, is the BEST QUALIFIED person to advise you if your animal needs immediate
veterinary attention. Please be advised this listing is by no means exhaustive!
Eyes
| Bulging or swollen eyes | Glaucoma | |
| Runny or watery eyes | Allergy, cold | |
| Pus | Conjunctivitis | |
| Brown Crusting | Distemper | |
| White Spot or "disk" in eye/s | Cataract | |
| Blindness | Cataract |
Mouth
| Pale Gums | Anemia, low blood pressure | |
| Red, sore or bleeding gums | Tarter buildup; gingivitis | |
| Bluish gray gums | Lack of Oxygen | |
| Blackened teeth | Dead tooth | |
| Dark or stained teeth | Age, tetracycline as kit | |
| Rash on chin and lips | Distemper | |
| Drooling | Insulinoma seizure; poison | |
| Clenched Teeth | Insulinoma seizure | |
| Scratching at Mouth | Broken tooth, nausea | |
| Vomiting | Foreign body, ulcers, ECE; hairballs; poison | |
| Vomiting Blood | Internal hemorrhage | |
| Panting | Heat stroke; severe pain; insulinoma seizure |
Nose
| Sore on Nose | Infection | |
| Runny Nose, Sneezing | Runny nose, sneezing | |
| Short, broken whiskers | Poor nutrition, ill health | |
| Dark pink or red | Insulinoma seizure | |
| Bright red | Hypothermia (heat stroke) |
Ears
| Black Inside | Excessive Dirt | |
| Black inside, itching | Mites | |
| Yellow | Hepatitis | |
| Bad Smell | Excessive dirt; yeast-type infection | |
| Growth | Tumor; infected bite | |
| Loss of Hair | Another Ferret chewing on them | |
| Deafness | Congenital, Wardenburg's Syndrome (panda pattern); infection |
Paws
| Splayed feet | Housed on Wire | |
| Hair Loss | Age, adrenal disease | |
| Dry Pads | Clay Litter | |
| Dark Pink Pads | Insulinoma seizure | |
| Bright Red Pads | Hyperthermia (heat stroke) | |
| Rough, thickened pads | Distemper | |
| Roughened, scratched pads | Lost outside for significant period; housed outdoors/dirt/cement | |
| Long Quick | Not regularly clipped | |
| Nail Torn Out | Caught on bedding; on cage wire | |
| Curled Toes | Age, weak hindquarters |
Legs
| Limping | Stepped On | |
| Staggering | Insulinoma; stroke; ear infection | |
| Stiffness | Arthritis; age; over-caged | |
| Weakness in hindquarters | Age; arthritis; low blood sugar; general illness |
Tail
| Kinked | Previously broken; birth defect | |
| Lump at End | Chondromas | |
| Black Spots | Blackheads | |
| Hairloss | Blackheads; age; adrenal disease |
Continued on the Sickness Signs and Symptoms Part 2
