Ask the Veterinarian/Blind Ferret?

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Expert: - 9/22/2011


Question
QUESTION: How can you tell if a ferret is blind?  I just adopted a ferret and she has some sort of problem with her back legs or spine.  She's dose not seem to be in any pain, but I will be getting her X-rays very soon either way.  She can get around but cannot jump and she is wobbly.  She also runs into things.  The main reason why I think she is blind is because she does not look up at my like my other ferrets nor does she look around the room.  What are the signs of a blind ferret? is there any way to tell for sure?

ANSWER: I am not a ferret expert but any animal that bumps into things is having some kind of vision problems. If she is all white there is a chance she is blind, but again, I am not a ferret expert. They are illegal in California so we never saw very many of them.

There is a panel of experts in here for exotics. You might want to give them a try. Repost the same question to them. Just copy and paste it so that you don't have to re-write it all.

It sounds like she wasn't raised o very good food if she is having so many issues with walking etc. It's good that you are getting her xrayed. You should have some blood work done on her as well and get her on some good food.

Good luck with her!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

Gibby\'s White Eyes
Gibby's White Eyes  
QUESTION: The Ferret experts are maxed out or unavalible.  I did notice that she has a white opaque color deep in her eyeballs. When she gets her pic taken it reflects back in the photo.  I'm assuming it is cataracts?  Is there any other eye conditions that you know of or could this be normal?

Answer
How old is this ferret? If the color deep in her eyes is white that is not a cataract but it is called anterior uveitis. It has many causes.

Here is a page about common eye issues with ferrets:

http://www.veterinarypracticenews.com/vet-dept/avian-exotic-dept/common-ferret-e

There is this one as well but it's pretty medically jargon-filled, so I don't know if it will help.
http://books.google.com/books?id=rJiv3EWJTPcC&pg=PA187&lpg=PA187&dq=anterior+uve

In dogs and cats, anterior uveitis is common as the animal ages and it is not a disease process but rather an aging one.I would assume that the same could hold true for ferrets. Since they are members of the weasel family, you could look up health issues in weasels, but there is a plethora of information online about ferrets themselves.

I would have the vet look her over no matter what. That's about all I can tell you, sorry!!  

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Jana Connell RVT, CVT

Expertise

PLEASE READ BEFORE SUBMITTING TO ME: I am NOT a vet and do NOT diagnose diseases. That is only for a licensed Veterinarian to do. I will give you suggestions and steer you toward calling your vet for help. You can call the vet's office and talk to the technician there or the vet at times. Don't be afraid to call them! If you have a serious issue with your pet please post it to one of the veterinarians in here- I will tell you the same thing in my answer. IF your pet is injured or in an emergency situation, CALL YOUR VET- Do not wait and post in here. Just call the vet's office and get them in to see the vet right away. Critical treatment time is lost if you seek answers here when you should have your precious pet at the vets!! Don't sit at home waiting for an answer when your pet is critically ill or injured!! I can answer most questions about small animal and wildlife care as well as small animal nutrition. I can also answer questions about all phases of dental care for small animals. I DO NOT answer questions about birds (unless it is wildlife or songbirds) or HAMSTERS/GERBILS/CHINS/GUINEA PIGS/REPTILES/FROGS/RABBITS/PET BIRDS OF ANY KIND so please submit these questions to the appropriate sections. I, as well as other experts in here, do NOT do homework questions- that is for YOU to do! Please respect these rules for all of us. Thanks!

Experience

I have over 35 years experience in the field of veterinary medicine. I specialized in small animals and did wildlife rehab for over 25 years, mostly raptors, squirrels and opossums. I am a Small Animal Nutritional Consultant with 6 certificates from Hills Pet Foods, CNM and Purina. I also specialized in Small Animal Dentistry which is a field I truly love.

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Audubon,World Wildlife Federation, American Society of Veterinary Dental Technicians.

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Licensed with California and Oregon, RVT and CVT. Certified Veterinary Dental Technician Have over 500 logged hours of Continuing Education Credits(that means I keep up to date!).

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Nominated for Expert of the Month for the last 5 years.

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