Abscesses: Wounds which have filled with puss that have a lump like appearance usually caused by bites or cuts or damage to the inside of the mouth. These can either be removed by a vet or gotten rid of with antibiotics.

 

Adrenal disease: Adrenal disease is caused by diseased or overreactive adrenal glands, where there is an overproduction of sex hormones and is most common in neutered ferrets. Excessive growth of the adrenal gland or tumours/cancer are the most common causes. Symptoms include hair loss, vulva swelling (females), enlarged prostate and difficulty urinating (males), sexual aggression, muscle atrophy, thinning skin, lethargy, and itchiness. Can be treated with the implant.

 

Blockages: Blockages are caused when a foreign object gets stuck in the digestive track. Symptoms include loss of appetite, weight loss and vomiting.

 

Canine distemper:  Canine distemper is a virus that can affect ferrets just as it does with dogs. This disease can be fatal in ferrets, so it is recommended to get your ferrets vaccinated if you plan to walk them out and about. Symptoms can include swollen feet, leading to hard pads on the feet, runny eyes and/or nose, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, increased thirst, and rash.

 

Heat stroke: Ferrets cannot tolerate high temperature which is why it is so important to keep ferrets cool during hot times. Ferrets can die from heatstroke so you should have ways of preventing it such as keeping ferrets in the shade and never leave them in direct sunlight, give them shallow pools of water to keep cool in and drink, freeze milk bottles of water, spraying them with water using a mister, and even use an air conditioner. Symptoms of heat stroke include agitation and distress, mouth open breathing and increased temperature.

 

Insulinoma:  A tumour on the pancreas which affects the metabolism of glucose which causes low blood sugar levels. Usually, symptoms include the ferret being lethargic and loss of appetite.  Can be managed but not cured with the long-term use of steroids.

 

Lymphoma: Cancer of the lymph glands which can’t be cured though can be managed with long term used of medication. Symptoms include weight loss lethargy, loss of appetite, bulges or visible masses, vomiting, diarrhoea, or blood in faeces.