Three of the most common ferret diseases
There are three diseases that are most commonly seen in ferrets:
Ferrets do get a variety of other illnesses throughout their lives, but these three diseases are the most common. If you have ferrets, the chances are very high that you will see at least one of these diseases (but probably more than one) in your ferret family. Many individual ferrets will even develop more than one. My little girl Sophie (pictured above - note the hair loss and hair thinning, symptomatic of adrenal disease) had all three of them!
How well a ferret does after being diagnosed with one of these common ferret illnesses depends mainly on the ferret owner's ability to identify symptoms and start treatment as soon as possible! If you have not yet familiarized yourself with these three ferret diseases, you need to! Knowing how to identify them can prolong your ferret's life significantly or even save it.
To learn more about these ferret health issues, click on the links below. The articles at these links will go over symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention, when possible. They will give you information that no ferret owner should be without!
Adrenal Disease
Insulinoma: Diagnosis, Treatment & Prevention
Lymphoma in Ferrets: Diagnosis & Treatment
If you think that your ferret may have one of these diseases, but you don't have an experienced ferret vet, click on the following links to locate a ferret vet in your area:
Ferret Universe Vet Listing by State
FHL Ferret Vet Zip Code Locator
Comments
Hi I have a ferret named Booger, he is about 1 year old and I'm scared he may have Adrenal disease, but he has not shown the most common symptoms. At one point he did have some hair loss, but is was only around the back of his neck.All of his hair has come back now tho, he still acts a little lazy not wanting to play as much, but I recently bought another ferret so he has been much happier with a friend.( he had fleas so I blamed the hair loss on that) Lately tho his skin is starting to turn black, it started on his stomach and has moved to his back and shoulders. I cannot afford vet. care at the moment, but I will soon. I was just wondering if you have any idea why his skin could be turning black? Also he still scratches alot and does not have fleas anymore could that have something to do with his skin? Thank you
Britt
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Editor's Note: You need to find some way to afford the veterinary care as soon as possible. Without seeing him, I'm not sure what could have caused the black skin, but it is most likely not good.
Adrenal hair loss can come and go, but it could also have been from fleas. If you suspect adrenal disease, the best thing you can do is have your veterinarian run the University of Tennessee Panel, which is the only blood test that tests for adrenal disease.
The continued excessive itchiness can also be a sign of adrenal disease. Ferrets do tend to scratch a lot, but combined with the hair loss, it is suspect.
Posted by: Brittney | September 14, 2007 02:41 PM
One of my ferrets has been losing his hair also. It appears he has rat tail but he also has hair that is falling out on his back. He has always been the skinny one,the other is chubby. Losing his hair is the only symptom he has. Should I be worried. His tail is losing its hair but also it has black spots on it,,like blackheads. could you tell me what i should do??
thanks melissa
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Editor's Note:
Hi Melissa,
If the hair loss is not restricted to just his tail, there's a good chance it could be adrenal disease. I would recommend that you schedule a veterinary appointment.
Posted by: melissa | October 17, 2007 02:46 PM