Hind Leg Weakness in Ferrets
Hind leg weakness, or posterior paresis, is a common condition in ferrets. It can be the result of many different health issues. The most common is a hypoglycemic episode. Ferrets who suffer from insulinoma can have low blood sugar episodes, and they will display hind leg weakness and difficult walking because of it.
Other reasons for hind leg weakness include:
- Heart disease
- Anemia
- Central nervous system conditions
- Advanced adrenal disease
- Infections from viruses such as Aleutian Disease virus (ADV) and canine distemper
Signs that your ferret is suffering from hind leg weakness include:
- The inability to stand for long periods of time
- Standing without the normal arched back
- Dragging the rear part of the body while trying to walk
- Falling over while trying to walk
- Incontinence
In order to treat the hind leg weakness, your veterinarian must diagnose and treat the disease causing the problem.
For more information about hind leg weakness in ferrets, read Hind Leg Weakness (Posterior Paresis).
