Welcome
to the world of companion ferrets! As a responsible
owner, you'll need to provide your pet with good food,
good fun, lots of TLC and regular veterinary care.
As soon as your fuzzball has settled in, we recommend
a trip to the vet for a thorough examination.
Finding a Ferret Vet
Veterinarians
specializing in ferrets aren't always easy to find.
You can ask the members of your ferret club or local
shelter for a referral, or call veterinary practices
in your area to ask if the doctors have experience
with the species. This is also a good time to purchase
a carrier or travel cage to safely transport your
pet.
When
you bring your ferret for his exam, be prepared
to provide information on where and when you purchased
your pet, what you're feeding him and anything unusual
you've noticed about him. The veterinarian will
conduct a complete physical exam of your ferret,
including a check of the heart, lugs, ears, eyes
and teeth. Your pet's temperature and weight will
be recorded. The veterinarian may ask you to bring
a fecal sample with you, so he or she can determine
if your ferret has internal parasites, such as worms
and coccidia.
If
your pet is older or ill, the veterinarian may recommend
additional testing. The results of a general blood
panel can point to problems with the liver, kidney
and pancreas, for example, and radiographs of the
chest and abdomen can be useful in diagnosing tumors
or heart conditions-especially in ferrets over the
age of three, who are considered geriatric. Older
ferrets may also require more dental care, including
an annual scaling to remove tartar buildup.
When to See a Ferret Vet
It
is also imperative that you keep up-to-date on your
ferret's shots. These little guys must be vaccinated
against canine distemper, which is 100-percent fatal
to ferrets, and rabies. Most ferrets get their distemper
shots before they enter the pet trade, but if you
have purchased or adopted a ferret who has never
been vaccinated-or one with an unknown medical history-he
will need both initial and booster shots. After
that, annual vaccinations for distemper are required.
Rabies shots should be given after the age of 12
weeks, with a yearly booster. And if you live in
an area of the country where mosquitoes are a problem,
Experts strongly recommend that you give your
ferret a monthly heartworm prevention medication.
Talk to your veterinarian about the various types
available.
Most
ferrets sold as pets have already been spayed or
neutered, but if yours is not, be sure to schedule
a date for the surgery with your veterinarian. An
intact female will stay in heat until she is bred,
leading to a weakened immune system and a greater
than average chance of developing life-threatening
anemia. Unneutered male ferrets mark their territory,
are very aggressive with other animals, and have
a very strong--to say the least!--odor. It is recommended
that all ferrets be altered by the time they are
six months old.
If
you notice any unusual symptoms in your pet, do
not wait until your yearly check-up to consult your
vet. Signs of illness include vomiting, diarrhea,
hair loss, lack of appetite, heavy panting or other
difficulty breathing. If you think your ferret is
ill, it's important to contact the veterinarian
immediately.
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