How do I know if my ferret has adrenal problems?
Signs of Adrenal Disease in Ferrets
- Hair loss (alopecia), especially starting with the tail and rump.
- Females: vulva swelling.
- Males: enlarged prostate, difficulty urinating.
- Increased sexual aggression (males often grab and drag females by the nape of the neck)
- Muscle atrophy.
- Pruritus (itchiness)
- Thinning of the skin.
How long can ferrets live with untreated adrenal disease?
This can lead to secondary damage to the kidneys and result in death in as little as 48 hours if not promptly treated. It is also important to note that many times a secondary infection may be present in the prostate or bladder.
What is aplastic Anaemia in ferrets?
Aplastic anemia is a condition in which the bone marrow is completely suppressed, resulting in a shutdown in production of new red blood cells. Bone marrow suppression will also result in a shutdown in production of white blood cells and platelets.
How do ferrets get rid of bladder stones?
Treatment of Urinary Tract Stones in Ferrets Urinary tract stones will need to be surgically removed. This surgery is considered to be fairly simple unless the stone is located in the urethra, in which case it becomes a bit more complicated.
Why does my ferret have a swollen vagina?
When ferrets have adrenal gland disease, the most common initial sign is hair loss on the top of the pelvis and/or flanks, with or without pruritus (itchiness). Affected female ferrets develop an enlarged vulva, while males often have problems with urination due to prostate enlargement.
When should you put your ferret down?
Your pet no longer enjoys or seeks out contact with you and the rest of its family. Reluctance to move or consistent pacing especially at night; restlessness. Avoidance of his favorite activities. Changes in the dynamic between him and other pets in the house.
Is ferret adrenal disease painful?
Adrenal disease causes ferrets to lose all of their fur, but despite their alarming appearance, these bald pets aren’t in any pain as long as their condition is properly managed.
What is Aleutian disease?
Aleutian disease is a parvovirus that ferrets contract from other ferrets and mink. As the virus spreads through a ferret’s body, the ferret’s antibodies — the protective immune system — attack the virus, forming complexes which collect in the kidneys, liver, spleen, and other organs causing them to fail.
What is ferret lymphoma?
Ferret lymphoma (also referred to as lymphosarcoma) is an awful kind of cancer that is commonly seen in pet ferrets. 1 It affects any and all lymphoid tissue and can spread throughout the entire body. It can also be difficult to diagnose and unfortunately, no cures currently exist.
Do peas cause bladder stones in ferrets?
Why avoid peas? There is evidence to suggest that peas in food may lead to the formation of bladder stones in ferrets. This was seen frequently in ferrets fed the old formulation of Zupreem Grain Free, which had peas as the 3rd ingredient. As a result, some owners prefer to avoid peas in any amount.
Why is my ferrets Pee Crystalizing?
Causes. Urolithiasis is most common in middle-aged to older ferrets (3 to 7 years), especially males. Risk factors include the consumption of dog food, poor quality cat food, or diets with plant-based proteins. Abnormal retention of urine can also lead to urolithiasis.
How can you tell if a female ferret is in heat?
Both male and female ferrets that are ready to breed develop a pungent smell and also have extremely greasy skin. A jill in heat will have a swollen and enlarged vulva that is very noticeable. You may also notice a pink and watery secretion coming from her vaginal area.
Is it dangerous for a ferret to have a prolapse?
Most cases of anal or rectal protrusion occur in young, infant ferrets, although some conditions can cause it to occur in older ones. Although prolapse is not necessarily dangerous by itself, it can easily lead to some very dangerous consequences.
What are the treatments for rectal prolapse in ferrets?
Bacterial infections are commonly treated with simple antibiotics. These will reduce the swelling and weakness of the intestine to a level where the vet can simply push the rectum back into place. If the prolapses are due to straining, the vet will most commonly recommend a change in the ferret’s diet in order to alleviate the problem.
Can a ferret have adrenal gland disease with no hair loss?
A ferret can have normal values on this test, yet still have adrenal gland disease. This is why we always follow the tenets of the diagnostic process. The most common symptom of adrenal disease in ferrets is hair loss, sometimes with itchiness (pruritis). Itchiness due to adrenal disease an also be present with no hair loss.
What is an ultrasound for ferrets?
Ultrasound is what is needed to visualize the adrenal glands in ferrets, and also dogs and cats in most cases. Ferret adrenal glands can be tiny, which is why we always call our radiologist to perform this test. Radiologist are specialists in this area, and perform many dozens of ultrasounds on a daily basis.