FERRET FAQ FOR NEW AND PROSPECTIVE OWNERS
Compiled and edited by Pamela Greene ([log in to unmask])
(version 1.1, 1/31/94)
 
This FAQ is being distributed to the FML in 21 pieces in order to encourage
your comments and suggestions.  I'd also be happy to send you the whole
file; it's roughly 75kB, but I can split it into smaller segments if your
mailer has problems with large messages.
 
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6.2> What are some of the more common diseases in ferrets?
 
[begin PG]
Once again, I'm not a vet or even a ferret expert, but here's a list
of several of the most common medical problems in ferrets, especially
older ones.  (Dr. Bruce Williams, denoted here as BW, -is- a vet and
ferret expert.)
 
* Intestinal blockages.  Caused by eating something indigestible, such
as an eraser, a rubber band, some fabrics, or even a good-sized
hairball (accumulated from grooming), which gets stuck.  Symptoms may
include (one or more of) lack of bowel movement, constipation,
bloating, vomiting or heaving, drooling, and others.  Blockages may
occur at any point in the digestive tract, from the throat through the
lower intestine, even in the stomach where the object may move around
and produce only intermittent symptoms.  Laxatone or a similar
hairball remedy/laxative can help prevent this (see question 3.5).
Treatment is surgery, to remove the blockage.
 
* Tumors or lesions of the adrenal glands.  Symptoms vary, including
hair loss spreading from the base of the tail forward (also see
question 5.3), lethargy, loss of appetite, and loss of coordination in
the hindquarters.  Often, however, a tumor will be present without
showing any signs at all, so if your ferret is going in for any
surgery, the vet should take a look at the adrenal glands as well (if
time permits -- ferrets lose body heat very quickly in surgery).  The
left gland seems to be affected more often than the right.
 
* Islet cell tumors.  These are tumors of insulin-secreting cells in
the pancreas.  Their main effect is a drop in the blood sugar level,
and they are also common enough in older ferrets, even without
symptoms, that if your pet is having surgery for something else, a
quick check is worthwhile.  Symptoms include lethargy and loss of
appetite; in extreme cases seizures may be also occur.  If you're more
than a minute from your vet and your ferret has a low enough blood
sugar level to be having seizures, call the vet and ask if you should
rub Karo (corn sugar) syrup on your pet's gums to raise it.
 
[begin BW]
* Lymphosarcoma.  Lymphosarcoma is the most common type of cancer in
the ferret.  It is a tumor of a certain type of white blood cell, and
the most common clinical sign is enlargement of the lymph nodes.  It
may also arise in the abdomen, where lymph nodes can only be felt with
reasonable accuracy by your veterinarian.  It is most commonly seen in
older animals from 4-6 years of age, although animals as young as a
year old can have it.  While animals initially respond well to
chemotherapy, they usually relapse in 2 months or less, and generally
are put to sleep at this time.  The prognosis for any ferret with
lymphosarcoma is poor.
 
* Gastric ulcers.  Ferrets may develop gastric ulcers in time o
stress.  Clinical signs are dark, tarry stools, a lack of appetite,
and grinding of the teeth.  It can be treated by your vet, but it
takes 3-4 weeks to recover from this condition.  You must first remove
the stress from the animals environment before any recovery can begin.
These animals also need good nursing care to get them back on their
food.  With proper care - recovery rates are over 90%.
 
* Cutaneous vaccine reactions.  Subcutaneous vaccination with rabies
or other vaccines may, over a period of weeks, cause a hard lump at
the site of vaccination [see question 6.2 about other lumps].  The
lump simply consists of a large area of inflammation and most commonly
are seen around the neck.  The lumps can be removed, and generally do
not cause a major problem for your pet.  Similar lesions may be seen
in vaccinated dogs and cats.
 
* Helicobacter mustelae infection.  Infection of the stomach lining by
a bacteria, Helicobacter mustelae is extremely common in ferrets.
Animals with longstanding infections (generally older animals), may
develop gastric problems due to the bacteria's ability to decrease
acid production in the stomach.  Signs of a problem include repetitive
vomiting, lack of appetite, and signs of gastric ulcers (see above).
Helicobacter infection and gastric ulcers often go hand in hand - the
relationship between infection and gastric ulcer formation has not
been totally worked out, although there is currently a lot of research
in this area.  Helicobacter infection can be cured with administration
of antibiotic and a gastric coating agent over a period of weeks.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0739]