The Manitoba Ferret Association & No Kill Shelter - Sickness Signs and Symptoms 3
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Sickness Signs and Symptoms part 3



Overall Body

Temperature over 103     Fever
Temperature under 95     Hypothermia; serious illness
Severe anemia

     Lengthy heat cycle; internal tumor; severely enlarged spleen
Limp upon awakening     Baby sleep; low blood sugar; insulinoma
Comatose     Insulinoma; stroke
Uncontrollable shivers/tremors     Shock; poison
Convulsions     Insulinoma seizure; epilepsy; poison; shock
Wasting

    Cancer; age; internal blockage; internal parasite
Enlarged lymph nodes     Infection; cold/flu; lymphosarcoma
Blood sugar level under 80     Anorexia; insulinoma


Behaviour

Fainting     Insulinoma
Lethargy     Anemia; low glucose; age; heart disease; illness
"Listing " to one side     Ear infection; mites; stroke
Walking in circles     Stroke
Excessive grooming     Stress; adrenal disease
Biting when startled     Blind; deaf
Biting other ferrets     Blind; dominance issues
Hopping & leaping     PLAYING!!!


Question :

Why is my ferret getting bald?


Answer :

This is a strong indication that your ferret has adrenal disease. More often than not, this sign is all a vet would need to either perform surgery or treat medically rather than first having the client pay a hefty fee for the Adrenal Panel test. Medical attention should be sought immediately. This should not be confused with the regular shedding a ferret goes through which could be excessive as well (also known as molting).



...there is something so very dreadful, so satanic in tormenting those who have never harmed us, and who cannot defend themselves, who are utterly in our power, who have weapons neither of offence nor defence, that none but very hardened persons can endure the thought of it. ~Cardinal Newman



Like any animal, ferrets can become sick or suffer from poor health. While your veterinarian is the most qualified to help diagnose disease or illness, here are some things to look for in a healthy ferret:

Bright eyes, alert appearance, and responsive to its surroundings.

Playful.

Absence of discharge from the eyes and nose. No excess salivation.

A soft, full hair coat with ample whiskers. No fleas, ticks or debris in the coat. To check for fleas, use a flea comb, or place your ferret on a white sheet and comb thoroughly. Small black specks usually indicate dried blood from fleabites.

Lack of waxy build-up in the ears (blackish wax may indicate ear mites)

Smooth body with no lumps, bumps or painful areas which could indicate cancer, cysts, or abscess. Body condition should be not too fat and not too thin.

Clean, sharp teeth with no yellow and brown crusting or bleeding gums.

Clean anus, with no staining, matting, or wet area. No evidence of blood.

Stool should be fairly firm and brownish in coloration. Very wet, watery, or black stool may indicate internal disease.



"Because one species is more clever than another, does it give it the right to imprison or torture the less clever species? Does one exceptionally clever individual have a right to exploit the less clever individuals of his own species? To say that he does is to say with the Fascists that the strong have a right to abuse and exploit the weak - might is right, and the strong and ruthless shall inherit the earth. ~Richard Ryder



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