I got an e-mail the other day.  This person has done nothing wrong except
not being educated.  Unfortunately, her ignorance may kill her pet.  Just
thought I would share it, as all breeders and shelter operators need to
help these people and educate them.  We breeders also need to remember to
check up on ferrets that we do not get alter contracts back from.
 
>... I have a year old female ferret ... she is in heat and I would like to
>breed her but, I am unable to find a breeder in my area.... she has been
>in heat for 2 months ... I want to have her breed because I have 2 boys
>and they love her, and they want a baby ferret to raise for themselves.
 
If [your ferret] has been in heat for two months, please take her to your
vet to have a hormone shot given to her.  If your vet has questions on how
to do that, please have him/her call my vet at 734-246-WISE.  His name is
Dr. Joel Schiff from Wise Owl.  He is a ferret expert & is wonderful.
 
Female ferrets staying in estrus (heat) longer than 1 month are at risk of
developing aplastic anemia.  This is very serious!!!  She will get sick and
suffer from anorexia, depression, lethargy, swollen vulva with discharge,
vaginitus (vaginal infection) among others.  She will be anemic and the
bone marrow will be severaly suppressed.  Aplastic anemia will result in
death that is very painful.  My book written by ferret expert James G. Fox
(Biology & Diseases of the Ferret) states "Hemorage is the most common
cause of death" and that "Ferrets are typically in estrus for 2 months
before death occurs".  Please take action as soon as possible or you ferret
may die!
 
Also, if you love your little ferret, please spay her after she comes out
of season.  Even if you would like your sons to see her give birth and
raise a litter, it is very hard on your pet.
 
Ferrets have a litter of kits.  Many times there are complications and
breach births.  First time mothers usually have an average of ten to twelve
kits.  Many of these kits die because there are too many of them and she
cannot take care of them.  Many first time moms will neglect or eat her
kits.  Sometimes mothers may not produce any milk at all.  You cannot hand
feed ferret kits at all.  They will asparate and die.
 
Your ferret's additude will change & she may be very protective of herself
and her kits.  She may bite you VERY hard if you try to even touch her
babies.  Some ferrets will even scream at you and attack you if you get
near their kits.
 
She may get mastitis which is a mammary glad infection.  This is common &
if not known what to look for can be fatal to the kits first & then the
mother.  Her flesh will rot away.  A breeder in my area found a jill with
her infected glands eaten away by the kits.  They died from the infected
flesh & the jill died later from the infection & trauma.  If kits nurse
from an infected nipple they can and will get conjunctivitus (eye
infection).  You will have to lance the seal of the eye and drain &
medicate it a few times a day.
 
Every ferret kit you rear will need distemper vaccines every few weeks
until the set is complete.  This is your responsibility.  You should also
have them spayed or neutered.  As a breeder, I am responsable for every
ferret that my jill's produce.  If for any reason an owner doesn't want
that ferret (even after years) I have to take it back.  Are you willing to
keep them all as pets?
 
I suggest to get her spayed.  I am suprised that the breeder that you got
your ferret from did not warn you of these things.  Also, you are positive
that she is not fixed?  Fixed ferrets may develope suollen vulvas and that
is serious also.
 
If you have further questions, please feel free to ask.
 
Amy Flemming
Flemming Farms
[Posted in FML issue 2452]