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GENERAL HEALTH
DISTEMPER
Distemper is a viral disease normally associated with dogs, and is
100% fatal in ferrets.
Inoculation is essential at 12 weeks of age and annually from then
on.
SYMPTOMS:- Early symptoms are often similar to respiratory infection
and can be mistaken for snuffles or influenza, weepy eyes and nose may
follow.
If your ferret shows any of these symptoms, consult your vet immediately.
COLDS AND INFLUENZA
Ferrets are extremely susceptible to colds and flu.
Your ferret can catch a cold from a person or another ferret. (Infected
people or ferrets should be kept away from your ferret).
SYMPTOMS:- Resemble those in humans, ie. runny eyes and nose,
high temperature, loss of appetite and drowsiness.
If your ferret gets the flu keep it warm and away from stressful situations,
consult your vet.
NAILS
If your ferret is exercised on hard ground, its nails will remain at
a convenient length.
Your ferret's nails will need to be trimmed when they start to curl.
This is easily done with a pair of animal nail clippers. (Be careful
not to cut the quick, this is the blood vessel seen at the base of the
nail. If cut it causes pain and bleeds a lot).
Ferrets which are not exercised on hard ground will need their nails
cut once or twice a month depending on the ferret.
PADS
Check your ferret's feet pads for any irritation, not only will this
be a health check, but it will also get your ferret used to its feet being
handled. Also some ferrets enjoy having their feet pads rubbed.
EARS
Your ferret's external ear can be cleaned with a damp cloth.
Do not probe into the ear canal with cotton buds. If there is a build-up
of wax consult your vet.
Ferrets are also prone to ear mites which are parasites found in the
ears of cats and dogs.
SYMPTOMS:- Excessive scratching of the ears.
Ear mite drops are available from Ferret Necessities or your Vet.
Any apparent loss of balance warrants an emergency visit to your Vet
as it may signify an ear infection which is dangerous in ferrets.
FLEAS
Ferrets, like most pets, are susceptible to fleas. Fleas cause
irritation and are extremely annoying to your ferret. Flea sprays
and powders can be used on your ferret providing it is over 12 weeks of
age.
"FRONTLINE" flea spray is the recommended safe and effective choice.
TEETH
Your ferret's teeth are very important for its general health.
Feeding ferrets solely on mushy food which does not require chewing can
result in dental disease.
The teeth of the ferret are those of a carnivore. The dental
formula in the adult is I3, C2, P3, M1 on the upper jaw and I3, C2,
P3, M2 on the lower jaw. The formula gives the number of teeth on
each side of the mouth classified as either incisors, canines, premolars
or molars.
Ferrets, like all animals, can have trouble with their teeth.
They can develop holes or they can have broken teeth, but the most common
problem in pet ferrets is the accumulation of plaque and associated gum
disease.
Plaque accumulates on the teeth and if not cleaned away it can form
tartar. The accumulation of plaque can also cause gingivitis, or
inflammation of the gums. Gingivitis can cause periodontal disease,
and if not treated can lead to loss of teeth.
PREVENTATIVE THERAPY
Plaque accumulation, gingivitis and periodontal disease can be prevented
in animals by;
1. Brushing the teeth with a toothbrush (considered impractical
by most owners)
2. Feeding a diet which requires chewing.
Commercial cat biscuits are a good teeth cleaner for most ferrets.
They can help to remove even large amounts of tartar which has accumulated
on the teeth and prevent further tartar from developing. Raw meat
in the diet also helps to keep the teeth clean and large RAW mutton bones
can also be given to ferrets for dental hygiene purposes. (Make sure that
they are too big to swallow and do not leave them go smelly if they are
not eaten).
As most ferrets will only see a veterinarian once per year, it is best that the owner makes sure to check the teeth at regular intervals.
The cutting of canine teeth to prevent biting, which has been performed in the past, can only be described as barbaric. It can result in tooth abscesses and would be a constant source of pain for the animal.
WORMS
Ferrets can get infested with internal parasites like other pets.
Make sure your ferret is regularly wormed as a bad dose of worms can break
down their immune system, making them susceptible to other ailments
.
SYMPTOMS; Loss of weigh and voracious appetite. irritability and moodiness
and lethargy.
Worming medication is available from Ferret Necessities or your Vet.
SKIN AND COAT
Check your ferret's skin and coat for any parasites or sores, especially
if you have more than one ferret.
You can bathe your ferret, but try not to do this too often as bathing
tends to upset the oil balance and dry out the coat. Use ferret
or small animal shampoo. Human shampoo is no good for your ferret
as it irritates the skin due to different pH levels. (Fresh straw
bedding or daily contact with the greenery in your yard - under supervision
of course, is another very effective way of reducing ferret odour).
HEAT STROKE
Ferrets do not handle heat well at all and they must be kept cool at
any cost during the heat of summer.
Some examples of keeping ferrets cool are Techni Ice, (available through
The Ferret Society), frozen bottles of water for the ferret to lie against
and draping shelters with wet towels or wet hessian bags.
Keep ferrets in cool shaded areas and never leave your ferret in a
closed car or a metal cage on a hot day.
A ferret suffering from heat stroke will become dehydrated and very
lethargic, and will very quickly need the services of a veterinarian if
it is to survive. As a ferret does not either sweat or pant it has
no way of cooling itself down, therefore it is most important that you
provide a cool living area for your pet.
SHOCK
Shock can be caused by loud sudden noise, being chased by a predator
or any similar sudden movement.
Please be aware that shock may not be instant and a delay from the
time of the incident to the time of the reaction may occur.
SYMPTOMS;- Can vary from panting and lethargy to a catatonic
state of rigidity, depending on the
depth of the shock.
If your ferret suffers from shock, place it in a warm quiet spot, speak
softly and stroke it very gently.
Recovery is normally quite fast after pampering and TLC.
HEART WORM
Ferrets are susceptible to heart worm, which is a parasite transported
by mosquitoes. Prevention,
diagnosis and treatment are very difficult. You may like to discuss
this topic with your vet.
