| Common Symptoms & Possible Causes |  Home Page Documents Page |
Note: Consult with your vet if your ferret is acting unusual! While
you are "the first line of defense" for your pet's health, a
trained professional can help ascertain what the combination of symptoms may
mean. A vet - not your spouse, best friend, other ferret owner, or the local
shelter - is the BEST QUALIFIED person to advise you if your animal needs
immediate veterinary attention.
Eyes
| Bulging or swollen Runny or watery Pus Brown crust White spot or "disk" in eyes Blindness |
Glaucoma Allergy, cold Conjunctivitis Distemper Cataract Cataract |
Mouth
| Pale gums Red, sore or bleeding gums Bluish gray gums Blackened teeth Dark or stained teeth Rash on chin and lips Drooling Clenched teeth Scratching at mouth Vomiting Vomiting blood Panting |
Anemia, low blood pressure Tarter buildup; gingivitis Lack of Oxygen Dead tooth Age, tetracycline as kit Distemper Insulinoma seizure; poison Insulinoma seizure Broken tooth, nausea Foreign body, ulcers, ECE; hairballs; poison Internal hemorrhage Heat stroke; severe pain; insulinoma seizure |
Nose
| Sore on Nose Runny nose, sneezing Short, broken whiskers Dark pink or red Bright red |
Infection Cold, flu Poor nutrition, ill health Insulinoma seizure Hyperthermia (heat stroke) |
Ears
| Black inside Black inside, itching Yellow Bad smell Growth Loss of hair on Deafness |
Excessive dirt Mites Hepatitis Excessive dirt; yeast-type infection Tumor; infected bite Another ferret chewing on them Congenital, Waardenburg's Syndrome (panda pattern); infection |
Paws
| "Splayed" feet Hair loss Dry pads Dark pink pads Bright red pads Rough, thickened pads Roughened, scratched pads Long quick Nail torn out Curled toes |
Housed on wire Age, adrenal disease Clay litter Insulinoma seizure Hyperthermia (heat stroke) Distemper Lost outside for significant period; housed outdoors/dirt/cement Not regularly clipped Caught on bedding; on cage wire Age, weak hindquarters |
Legs
| Limping Staggering Stiffness Weakness in hindquarters |
Stepped on Insulinoma; stroke; ear infection Arthritis; age; over-caged Age; arthritis; low blood sugar; general illness |
Tail
| Kinked Lump at end Black spots Hair loss |
Previously broken; birth defect Chondromas Blackheads Blackheads; age; adrenal disease |
Fur & Skin
| Dry Black spots Fur falling out Guard hair sparse Thinning Patterned (base of tail/ up backside) loss "Graying" Flaking skin Yellowed Reddened, rough skin "Pinched" skin stays pinched Wart-like growths Dark brown or black "moles" "Puffy," inflamed areas Sore slow to heal |
Sleeping in litter; poor nutrition; age; general illness Flea dirt Seasonal coat change; poor nutrition; stress; flea allergy Regrowth of coat Age; unnatural light cycle; adrenal disease; in heat or rut Adrenal disease Natural silvering pattern; age Flea dermatitis; poor nutrition; allergies; over-shampooing Hepatitis Allergies; fleas; sunburn; bites from others Dehydration Skin tumors Ticks Abscess Diabetes; adrenal disease; cancer |
Lungs
| Coughing Wheezing Rapid breathing Difficult breathing |
Cold, heart disease; lymphosarcoma Allergy; heart disease; pneumonia Heat stroke; pain Heart disease; pneumonia; lymphosarcoma; heartworm |
Stomach/Spleen
| Stomach distention Lopsided abdomen Hardened area along abdomen Anorexia |
Intestinal blockage; heart disease; poison; internal tumor Enlarged spleen Enlarged spleen Stomach or mouth ulcers; ECE |
Urination/Defacation
| Male "dribbling" or crying "Sand" in urine Heavy urination (& excessive thirst) Inability to urinate Inability to defecate Diarrhea Green diarrhea Dark, tarry stool Blood in stool Fabric or odd objects in stool Frequent, small stool Protrusion from anus Draining area near anus |
Urinary tract blockage; bladder stones; kidney infection; Adrenal
Disease Bladder stones Diabetes; kidney infection Kidney failure; blockage Internal blockage Dairy products; food allergies; stress; coccidia; camphobacter Upset stomach; stress; ECE Too many raisins; bleeding Internal hemorrhage, cancer Eating fabric or toys Poor rectal muscles Rectal prolapse Anal gland impaction |
Reproductive Organs
| Bleeding penis Growth on penis "Dragging" penis across things Swollen vulva Pus or discharge from vulva |
Caught on something Tumor Territorial marking; adrenal disease In heat; leftover ovarian tissue; adrenal disease Infection; adrenal disease |
Overall Body
| Temperature over 103 Temperature under 95 Severe anemia Limp upon awakening Comatose Uncontrollable shivers/tremors Convulsions Wasting Enlarged lymph nodes Blood sugar level under 80 |
Fever Hypothermia; serious illness Lengthy heat cycle; internal tumor; severely enlarged spleen Baby sleep; low blood sugar; insulinoma Insulinoma; stroke Shock; poison Insulinoma seizure; epilepsy; poison; shock Cancer; age; internal blockage; internal parasite Infection; cold/flu; lymphosarcoma Anorexia; insulinoma |
Behavior
| Fainting Lethargy "Listing " to one side Walking in circles Excessive grooming Biting when startled Biting other ferrets Hopping & leaping |
Insulinoma Anemia; low glucose; age; heart disease; illness Ear infection; mites; stroke Stroke Stress; adrenal disease Blind; deaf Blind; dominance issues PLAYING! |