Ferret gaining weight

Question
Hello Janet,
I am writing to you with a concern I have about one of my ferrets. I have two, one female who is about 3 and a male who just turned one in June. They were both in very good shape and had good activity levels until about a week ago.
The male was in very good condition and health and has always had a high energy level.  I have recently noticed in the last week that he has gained ALOT of weight. He is very much bigger than he was about a week and a half ago. We are from Connecticut but travel the north east and are currently south. At first I thought maybe he was getting ready for winter, but it is warm out. I have not changed their feeding times or food brand. I was not concerned until he lost his activity level. He now barely even runs when he is out. I can not seem to find anything online that is like this situation. Do you have any idea what it could be or if I should be concerned?
Thank you, Mona

Answer
Hello Mona,

The thing that concerns me is that you say he has gained a lot of weight in just a week and a half and is not as active.  Does his neck feel taught???

Please take him to your vet.  I don't mean to frighten you, but some cancers (affecting the lymph nodes) can make a ferret seem fatter and their necks may appear to be fat/taught.  There are good treatments which will be very beneficial.  A simple test can be made to determine what's going on with him.

Please remember that I am not a vet, I can only tell you about things I have dealt with in the past.  I did have a little ferret with cancer that actually lived a full long life.

In your case, I would stay on the safe side and visit your vet as soon as you can.

Let me know how he does.

Regards,
Janet