Normal Behavior breathing problems

Question
my ferret boo who we adopted 2weeks ago and is about 10months old is eating drinking and playing but over the last two days has developed a breathing problem she's not nessisarly having trouble breathing it's more that she's weezing is the best way i can put it i did a little research online and some people say it could be a hairball and others say it may be a mild cold. can you offer any help for my baby boo??

Answer
Hello Brittany,

The first thing you should do when adopting a pet is bring her for a checkup.  Not only is this to establish a good relationship with your veterinarian, but also so that he or she can spot any potential problems.  Especially with "difficulty breathing", the situation could be serious.  I would have her seen right away.

Signs of a hairball are generally a cough more than a wheezing noise.  Hairballs can (although rarely) cause intestinal obstructions.  This is a life threatening situation that would need immediate surgery.  Signs of this are vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, hacking, lethargy, weight loss and anorexia.  If you notice any of these symptoms, have her seen IMMEDIATELY.  

The more likely possibility is an upper respiratory infection.  Ferrets are susceptible to all sorts of things, including certain human influenza and kennel cough.  While there IS a possibility it will resolve on its own, you should bring her to your vet.  She may need antibiotics to clear the infection.  You do NOT want a seemingly harmless cold to progress into pneumonia. She may develop eye and nose discharge as well.  

Make sure she is eating and drinking well.  A ferret NEEDS to eat every 4-6 hours to stay healthy.  They can waste away VERY quickly in less than 24 hours and become dangerously dehydrated.  Watch that her stools are normal and "plump".  You DO NOT want diarrhea or anything bloody, black or tarry.  Any difficult breathing concerns me.  It could be a mild cold, or it could be something far more serious.  I cannot diagnose the problem, nor do I have the opportunity to see her symptoms.  I recommend she is seen right away, since it is impossible for me to tell how urgent the matter is.  At the very least she needs antibiotics anyway.  

-Cindy P.