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About Cindy Petrauskas
Expertise
I have owned these little weasels for over 15 years. While I cannot diagnose a condition, I feel confident to have gained enough knowledge to answer most questions concerning general health, nutrition, training, safety, cage requirements, games, grooming, vaccination, behavior, nipping, adoption, care of ill and elderly, and common symptoms of diseases. I have personally witnessed adrenal tumors, malignant cancer and liver failure in my own pets, and have seem many other conditions at my job as a vet technician for four years. Now I am studying for my doctorate in veterinary medicine, but as previously mentioned, I cannot diagnose a condition. That can only be done by a licensed veterinarian. I will, however, do my very best to answer any questions to the best of my ability.

Experience
I have been a ferret owner (or owned by the carpet sharks!) for the past 15 years, as well as a shelter volunteer (Ferret Association of CT) for 5. I am now a first-year veterinary student in Louisiana, and I wish to specialize in these little guys!! There are so few doctors that will treat ferrets. I have my bachelor's degree in bio-molecular science, and I am currently enrolled at the the LSU College of Veterinary Medicine for my doctorate degree.

Organizations
Louisiana State University College of Veterinary Medicine and the Ferret Association of CT

Education/Credentials
Present: Louisiana State School of Veterinary Medicine: 2009-2013 (DVM Degree) Past: Farmington Valley Veterinary ER (ER tech): 2007-2009 Veterinary Specialists of CT (vet tech): 2006-2007 Central Connecticut State University: 2001-2006 (BS in Bio-medical)

You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Exotic Pets > Ferrets > Wheezing Ferret

Ferrets - Wheezing Ferret

Expert: Cindy Petrauskas - 11/2/2009

Question
Yesterday I noticed that my ferret Weezy was coughing a little. Then in the night I noticed how it got worse. It sounds like the noise she makes when she eats to fast but much more intense also kind of sounds like a cough/sneeze at the same time and when I put my ear to her chest it sounds almost like quiet clicking when she is breathing. She is still playing,but is sleeping a bit more then usual. She is eating and drinking, but it does seem to be a bit less then usual from what I have observed. I have a second ferret as well and they are together all the time but he is not showing any of these symptoms. I've been giving her a little Pedialyte just in case she is dehydrated and chicken baby food mixed with Evo Ferret that I soaked in water to soften. I've also put a cold air humidifier in their room. So far there still hasn't been an improvement but it has only been several hours since I've done all this.

I was wondering if maybe it could be allergies or possibly even food or hair stuck in her throat? But thats just my wishful thinking because i don't want to see my baby sick. I'm a college student so I am kind of strapped on cash, so I just don't want to pay money to be told that nothing is wrong. Luckily its my birthday tomorrow so I do have money to take her if thats what it comes down to, which I'm thinking it might.

I was also wondering if I should wait a day or so to see if there is an improvement or to take her right away in case it is serious?

Ans my last question ( sorry for the rambling I'm just very worried about my baby) I've heard that you can give ferrets a very very small amount of childrens cough syrup as long as it doesn't have certain ingredients is this true and would it help?

Thanks!!

Answer
Hello Siobhan,

You are doing the appropriate thing to watch her closely. If her breathing gets any worse, she stops eating or the wheezing continues I would have her seen by a vet. You might want to separate your ferrets so you can better monitor her food and water consumption. If it is not better by tomorrow, I would make an appointment.

Another thing you can do is steam up your bathroom and let her inhale the warm moist air. This will help immensely. When my own pets are sick, I put them in a carrier on the counter (since warm air rises) and let them sit in the mist for 15 mins several times a day. It will help break up the infection in the lungs and clear them.

My own ferret developed pneumonia that manifested itself in a similar way. She slept more and would have bouts of coughing, but was continued to eat and drink. After a few days of "not quite right" I brought her in for x-rays and she had some sort of nasty infection that needed medication.

If she begins refusing food before you can get her to a vet, there is a product called Duck Soup (no duck in it... that is just the name) available commercially. You can also make it yourself and syringe feed her if needed. Below is the recipe. Please save a copy. It is EXCELLENT for sick ferrets and you never know when you might need it.

DUCK SOUP
1/2 cup of high quality, dry ferret food

1/8 cup (approximately - about equal to the volume of one regular ice cube) of Sustical or Ensure (or equivalent liquid, nondairy food supplement, found in most grocery and drug stores in 8 oz cans. Ferrets seem to like strawberry the best but any flavor except chocolate is fine. Pour the remaining supplement into an ice cube tray and freeze. After it’s frozen, the supplement "cubes" will keep for several weeks in a plastic bag in your freezer.)

1 1/2 inch ribbon of Nutrical/Nutristat (Nutristat is available at many pet shops. It is a high calorie food supplement used for many animals)

Ferretone/Linatone - 1/2 tsp. if desired.

Place the food in a blender. Add sufficient cold water to soften. Blend thoroughly. Add more water as necessary to make a stiff paste. Stir in the Nutrical/Nutristat, and Sustical. Add Ferretone/Linatone if desired. The mixture should be the consistency of a thin paste or thick soup. (You can add more water if necessary to make a very thin mixture if you have to force-feed the ferret with an eyedropper or syringe.) You must be careful that the ferret does not inhale the food.

Microwave for about 15 - 20 seconds, until warm.

Check the temperature before you begin feeding. It should be warm, not hot. Be sure to stir it well and make sure that there are no HOT spots. (I use my finger to stir it. That way I can be sure that there are no hot spots. If your ferret is suffering from insulinoma, leave out the Ensure/Sustical, and the Nutrical/Nutristat.

Feed the ferret all she will eat or that you can make him eat comfortably. (This should be about 5 - 15 cc, depending on the size of the ferret, at each feeding. Initially you may want to limit the "soup" to 2 cc at each feeding and feed more often. You may gradually increase the amount and cut down on the frequency. A typical adult ferret will require 100 - 110 cc of food a day and 90 - 100 cc of fluids. Your vet can tell you how much to feed at any one sitting and how much total he will need each day. Feed about every 2-4 hours, and give ample water or Pedialyte along with the Duck Soup. Cover and refrigerate any left over mixture. It will keep approximately one day. Microwave to rewarm. Remember to check the temperature of any microwaved portion carefully. Parts of the mixture may feel only warm but other parts may be HOT.

Most ferrets will eat Duck Soup eagerly. It’s high in fat; has protein from the ferret chow; and vitamins and minerals from the Sustical and Nutrical (or Nutristat), plus water. Don’t make a steady diet of this after your ferret recovers. His regular food is best for long term nourishment.

As far as what to food to use, be VERY careful to use only high quality ferret food. Good nutrition is essential for these guys. Watch out for Zupreem and 8-in one. Remember, expensive ferret foods are not necessarily better for ferrets if you are not aware of the ingredients. You would be surprised that most types of ferret food are NOT healthy and can cause health problems.

For more information regarding proper diet, please see the following link. Evo Ferret is a great brand, but you might want to consider mixing more than one since no particular type is perfect:

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Ferrets-2277/2009/4/Summer-feeling-well.htm

It is not wise to give any over the counter medication without asking your vet. There are plenty of things that could go wrong and harm your ferret. If she is not better by tomorrow, have your vet take a peek. He would be able to prescribe the appropriate medications at the correct dose.

I hope Wheezy is feeling better soon!

-Cindy P.

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