ferret toileting

Question
My ferret is male, 4ish year old, growing a few grey hairs with age I guess. He has always been brilliant with using his toilet tray ever since we taught him 3 yeas ago. Just recently he has begun weeing every where and lots. Its more like little incidental dribbles by his food, water bowl, bed and all around his play area. We have been monitoring his drinking, but cant see any change. Could he have a water infection or is he just growing old?

Answer
Hello Rebecca,

A four year old ferret is not expremely old, since they usually live to be 6-10.  As they age, ferrets will grow white hair mixed with their coat.  Roans and lighter colorations seem to get lighter faster than the darker colors.  Regardless, this change is usually seen around midage.  For example, my big sable boy is just beginning to grow some white hair and he is turing four in May.  This is completely normal.  

The disuse of the litter box (or in your case small dribbles of urine) can be due to many reasons, but usually attributed to one or both of two main problems.  

The first is behavioral or stress-related.  Has anything changed in your household?  Was there an addition of a new pet, construction or move?  A stressful environment can create all sorts of odd behaviors.  Your ferret might be showing his unrest by urinating in places he does not normally go.  For example, this often the cause of cats urinating outside of the litter box or around the house for no apparent reason.  Think carefully about anything stressful in his environment and try to remove him from it.  For example, if there is a new pet in the house, keep his cage seperate in a quiet room.  If the odd behavior ceases, it was probably stress-related.  

The other cause is pathological.  Adrenal disease, urinary infection, prostrate problems, bladder/kidney issues can all cause changes in the amount and frequency of urination.  You should make an appointment with your veterinarian  to rule out an underlying health condition.  Make sure you watch his urination patterns closely and note any differences from the usual.  Also observe his eating and drinking habits and tell your vet if you notice anything strange.  Look for any lethargy or annorexia.  If your ferret begins to act differently or is not eating it could be something serious.  Remember, ferrets need to eat every 4-6 hours!  A ferret that is not eating will get ill very quickly and would need medical attention ASAP.

Please follow up with your vet if the behavior continues or worsens.  It is always best to diagnose a medical problem as soon as possible for the best prossible prognosis.  Let me know how this turns out for you or if I can answer any other questions.

-Cindy P.