Manitoba ferret association

Ulcers
Can be asymptomatic or accompanied by some signs of abdominal distress. Some ferrets may vomit and have bad breath as well. Diagnosis is usually made on signs and symptoms, most notably grinding teeth (from abdominal pain), pawing at the mouth, and/or black tarry stools. Other vague signs include loss of appetite, occasional vomiting, loose stools, etc. A response to Carafate is also a good indicator.

Carafate (Sucralfate) is key in healing this condition which can last months. It acts as a patch during acid secretions by the stomach. It is important to give the medication 15-30 minutes "prior" to "each" feeding of a bland non-kibble diet (Duck Soup or Gerber's Chicken stage 2), or it will defeat its purpose.

Other medications you can try are Pepto-Bismol or Biaxin (which they hate the taste of), Tagament, Pepcid, or Cimitidine (inj Tagament). Attention must be given to ensure the ferret continues taking in food and water, and does not become dehydrated.

Question :

Why does my ferret stare into space a lot?

Answer :

This is a strong sign of insulinoma. This will occur as the glucose levels drop. If the levels get too low, a seizure could happen.

Question :

Why is my ferret wobbly on his feet?

Answer :

Hind end weakness is a strong sign of insulinoma. As the glucose values drop, it takes a toll on the ferret.

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).

Ferret Tid Bits:

A ferret's normal rectal temperature is between 100 - 104 with 101.9 being the average.

Heart rate is 180 - 250 bpm with 225 being average

Respiration is 33-36 per minute

Normal urine pH is 6.5 - 7.5

Blood volume is 60 80 -80 ml/ kg .

Ferrets lack a cecum to digest/ process fuits and vegetables

A ferrets left lung has 2 lobes, while the right has 4.

A ferrets body contains 14 or 15 pairs of ribs

A kit has 30 baby teeth, while an adult has 34.

Ferrets do possess toxoplasmosis in their systems. However, unlike cats they cannot release/ shed the infected eggs back into the environment, they hit a dead end, so humans cannot catch the disease.