How to Spot Signs of Illness in a Ferret

Co-authored by Lauren Baker, DVM, PhD and Megaera Lorenz, PhD

Last Updated: January 25, 2023 References

Ferrets are fun, lively pets that can live for up to 10 years with good care. However, they are prone to health problems, and many ferrets develop serious illnesses as they get older.^{[1]
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Research source} A lot of ferret health issues can be treated effectively if they are caught early enough. It's important to get your ferret to the vet quickly if you notice any signs of illness. If your ferret shows severe or life-threatening symptoms, go to the emergency vet immediately. Learn to recognize general signs of illness in ferrets, as well as symptoms that are associated with common ferret diseases.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Recognizing Severe Symptoms

1
Get emergency care for severe respiratory distress. If your ferret is having severe respiratory symptoms, get it to the emergency vet right away. Signs of a respiratory emergency include:^{[2]
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- Labored breathing or no breathing.
- A weak or absent pulse. You should be able to feel your ferret's pulse by putting your fingers on the artery in the inner thigh. A normal heart rate is 200-400 beats per minute.^{[3]
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- Pale white or muddy-looking blueish gums.
2
Call the vet right away for severe gastrointestinal symptoms. Serious gastrointestinal distress can be dangerous or fatal for a ferret. Get emergency medical help for your ferret if you notice:^{[4]
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- Extreme difficulty passing stools, or inability to pass stools.
- Uncontrollable or bloody vomiting or watery diarrhea.
- Black or tarry stools.
- Bleeding from the rectum.
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3
Go to the emergency vet for neurological symptoms. Look for signs of a serious disorder of your ferret's nervous system. If you see any of these symptoms, get immediate medical assistance:^{[5]
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- Severe lethargy or unconsciousness.
- Seizures.
- Rapid twitching of the eyes.
- Unusual tilting of the head.
- Staggering or walking in circles.
- Walking on the knuckles or tops of the feet.
- Inability to move the hind limbs.
4
Get immediate care for urinary symptoms. Problems with the urinary tract can quickly turn fatal in ferrets. Get your ferret to the vet right away if it is unable to urinate, has difficulty urinating, cries while urinating, or passes urine with blood in it.^{[6]
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- Pay attention to the normal frequency and color of your ferret's urine. If you notice anything unusual, call the vet.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Recognizing General Symptoms of Illness

1
Watch your ferret's appetite. Dramatic changes in appetite can signal a problem. A ferret that isn't feeling well may refuse to eat, or eat a lot less than usual. If your ferret refuses to eat, call your vet within 24 hours, even if there are no other symptoms.^{[7]
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2
Monitor your ferret's weight. Sudden weight loss or gain are also possible signs of illness.^{[8]
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Research source} Monitor your ferret's weight by weighing it once every two weeks on a kitchen scale. Keep track of your ferret's normal weight fluctuations throughout the year. If you notice anything unusual, call your vet.
- The normal weight range for a female ferret is 600–1,000 grams (21.2–35.3 oz) (1.3-2.2 lbs). Typical male ferrets range in weight from 1,000–2,000 grams (35.3–70.5 oz) (2.2-4.4 lbs).
3
Look for vomiting and diarrhea. Runny stools and vomiting are common signs of illness in ferrets. If you notice your ferret having loose stools, or if it vomits two or three times within a 24-hour period, call your vet.^{[9]
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- If you notice blood in your ferret's diarrhea or vomit, or if your ferret cannot stop vomiting, seek emergency veterinary care.
- Check your ferret's cage or litter box regularly to get an idea of what kinds of stools are normal for your ferret. Contact your vet if you see anything out of the ordinary.
4
Check for drool. Drooling can signal a variety of problems in ferrets, including dental disease, metabolic disorders (such as cancer), gastrointestinal disorders, neurological diseases, or poisoning.^{[10]
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5
Make note of bad breath. Bad breath in ferrets can have a lot of causes, including dental disease and problems with the esophagus.^{[11]
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6
Observe unusual discharge. Sick ferrets may experience discharge (e.g., mucus or excessive tears) from the eyes, nose, or ears. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your ferret to the vet.^{[12]
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Watch for coughing and sneezing. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing, panting, or difficulty breathing are all signs of respiratory illness. If you notice your ferret doing any of these things, call your vet right away to make an appointment.^{[13]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Identifying Common Ferret Diseases

1
Watch for signs of adrenal disease. Adrenal diseases are extremely common in ferrets. Some vets estimate that up to 50% of ferrets will eventually develop an adrenal tumor.^{[14]
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Research source} These issues tend to develop in ferrets four years of age or over. Check over your ferret's coat and body regularly for signs of thinning fur, balding, or loss of muscle mass. The typical symptoms of adrenal disease include:
- Balding on various parts of the body, or overall thinning of the coat.
- Lethargy.
- Itching.
- Swelling of the genitals in female ferrets.
- Difficulty urinating, especially in male ferrets.
- Loss of muscle mass.
- Changes in behavior, such as increased aggression or unusual sexual behaviors.
- Trembling or weakness in the hind legs.
2
Look for symptoms of insulinoma. Ferrets frequently develop low blood sugar, caused by the growth of tumors on the pancreas. Insulinoma is a severe condition that can be managed, but not cured. Familiarize yourself with your ferret's normal behavior, and watch for unusual or sudden behavioral changes. Get your ferret to the vet immediately if you notice any unusual behaviors, especially these symptoms of insulinoma:^{[15]
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- Staring at nothing.
- Staggering.
- Drooling.
- Fainting.
- Clenched or grinding teeth.
- Moaning, crying, or screaming.
3
Check for signs of dental disease. Dental disease can cause serious problems for ferrets, such as systemic diseases and potentially fatal infections. Brush your ferret's teeth twice a month with a latex finger brush and feline toothpaste.^{[16]
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- Dark buildup on the teeth.
- Redness, bleeding, or swelling of the gums.
- Blackened or missing teeth.
4
Look out for signs of “Green Virus.” Although it is becoming less common, ferrets are prone to a particularly severe viral disease called Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (E. C. E.). This disease causes serious gastrointestinal symptoms that can be fatal if left untreated. Get your ferret to the vet right away if you notice any of these symptoms:^{[18]
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- Bright green diarrhea.
- Vomiting.
- Refusal to eat and severe weight loss (usually starting after the diarrhea goes away).
5
Watch for symptoms of lymphoma. A lymphoma is a type of tumor that affects the lymph nodes. Lymphomas can also appear in the spleen, liver, or bone marrow, and may spread to other parts of the body. Lymphomas can cause a variety of symptoms, but a few common ones include:^{[19]
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- Poor appetite or refusal to eat.
- Weight loss.
- Lethargy.
- Vomiting, diarrhea, or bloody stools.
- Bloating.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Masses or lumps that you can see or feel.
- Weakness in the hind limbs.