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We have a ferret, Felix, that we've had for about 4 years. Not sure of his exact age but he is blind from cataracts so vet says he's got to be up there.About a week ago, when giving him his monthly bath I noticed that his hair has begun to thin quite a bit. I'm able to see his skin through his coat on his back and his tail seems rather thin also. I'm concerned about it being adrenal disease but don't know what other symptoms to look for. Then yesterday he started having fits of sneezing (I'm not sure these are related) and behaving as a human does with a cold..seems mopey, he would sneeze so hard for a minute or two then be out of breath but as soon as he tried to settle into his hammock he would start sneezing again. I've got a vet appt for him tomorrow but I'm wondering if there is anything I can do in the meantime. He seems somewhat better today...sneezing has let up to only occasional bouts. Thanks for any recommendations you can make.
Hi Brenda:
Are his eyes watery too? Ferrets can get colds and flu. They usually last 3 to 5 days. Best to keep him warm add an extra blankie in the cage, put a cool vaporizer nearby if you have it. Get him to drink extra fluids by dribbling Ferretone on warm water to encourage him to drink it. Offer him watered down warm apple juice or warm grape juice (NO CITRUS).Treat just like you would a small child. Let him rest, get extra fluids and if he appears to be congested you can give him .5cc of CHILDRENS LIQUID BENADRYL (only - NOT cough medicine or any other substitute) every 6 to 8 hours.
The coat thinning is probably early adrenal. Keep an eye on it for further symptoms. There's not much you can do in the early stages. If they operate too early, the tumor can possibly be too small to locate, so you don't want to go in too soon (happened to one of my ferrets who is now on Lupron even tho he had surgery). I don't every recommend Melatonin because of a seriously negative experience I had with it with one of my ferrets. If she's too old for surgery, the next thing I would recommend is LUPRON DEPOT (6 month). I haven't heard of anyone using the monthly one successfully yet - I think it's a waste of time and money, but that's just my opinion from folks I've talked to and my own personal experience. Because of her age, you might want to start her on the LUPRON DEPOT. If you decide to do that, write again and I'll be happy to give you the name of the pharmacy I use - they do a lot of ferrets lupron and make it really easy to get, to pay for , and it's in your mailbox in just a couple days after you order it, then you take it to the vet's office with you to be injected (it has to go into muscle, so I don't recommend trying to do it yourself, even if you're experienced with subQ's). Anyway, hope that helps. Take care of that little girl and let me know if I can be of further help.
Sincerely,
Jacquie Rodgers
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Answers by Expert:
Jacquie Rodgers
Expertise
Being a ferret owner for over 16 years, I can answer questions about general care, cage ideas and requirements, healthy foods and snacks, things to beware of as far as safety issues with ferrets, common causes of intestinal blockages, appropriate housing, litterbox training, making bathtime fun, toys, games galore, outdoor excursions, "Do`s and Don`ts", how to ferretproof your home, traveling with ferrets by car and airlines, proper temperatures for ferret environment, how to set up a hospital cage, IBS (irritable bowel) in ferrets, helicobacter (ulcers), adrenal disease symptoms, how to help your ferret recover quickly, happily and safely from surgeries; common problems with ferret ownership, illnesses; and taking care of a sick ferrets, hospice and palliative care, ferret death and choices that must be made when a ferret dies, memorializing your ferret online and in your daily life. WHAT I CAN`T DO: I can`t take the place of your ferret vet; if your ferret appears sick,PLEASE have your ferret examined by a ferret vet IMMEDIATELY. Proper and EARLY vet care is PRIORITY #1 for sick ferrets. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE FOR A SICK FERRET - PLEASE, IF IN DOUBT, GET THEM TO A VET!
Experience
As I cannot control when the system delivers your question to me, DO NOT USE THIS SITE FOR EMERGENCY QUESTIONS. CONTACT A VET.
F.Y.I.GENERAL FERRET CARE/INFORMATION:
http://www.cypresskeep.com/ferretarticles.htm
*/*FIRST AID FOR FERRETS: http://miamiferret.org/fhc/ffaid.htm
*/*FIND A VET HERE: http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
I have nursed ferrets through many illnesses and a variety of diseases over the years.Ferrets are so very delicate, yet incredibly strong-willed; a well-loved ferret will fight courageously to live if given proper medical care, monitoring, and especially lots of TLC. A ferret can entertain for hours on end when they know they are the center of attention; and they can make even the grumpiest person laugh through life's difficulties. They do require a LOT of time, love and daily care, but the love you give a ferret always comes back to you tenfold! I dedicate the time I spend helping others here to my precious little ones who have gone to the Rainbow Bridge. They taught me how to laugh, to love unconditionally....and how to live each & every day to its fullest, and I am forever grateful.
Organizations
Yuma County Humane Society
Publications
Yuma Daily Sun recognition for being an outstanding ferret mom and having incredibly well-trained ferrets.
Education/Credentials
I read everything I can get my hands on regarding ferrets.
Awards and Honors
WANT TO BE A FERRET EXPERT? I serve as the resident "guru" for this category. IF YOU WISH TO VOLUNTEER IN THE FERRET CATEGORY, please email me at thunder.paw.ranch@gmail.com and request an application. All volunteers must complete a general ferret information questionaire to be a volunteer in this category. Thanks for your cooperation :)
Past/Present Clients
I try to educate anyone who is interested in ferrets, as I take my ferrets with me in public a lot. There is a lot of MISinformation out there about ferrets that needs to be dispelled with facts, in addition to ferret owners who need to be keep abreast of the latest and best information for their little ones.
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