Jasper

Question
hi Jacquie...i have a 6 month old male ferret who is a very much loved family member. he lives inside and pretty much has run of the house. at times he sleeps under the covers in my bed.he's a real sweety. however tonight something very "out of the ordinary" happened. he developed this over powering stink!!! i cant describe it. it happened very suddenly. i bathed him straight away. but the odor continues to lurk around. I'm worried about him if he's eaten something he shouldn't have...he was on my daughters bed and I've had to strip it completely because of the smell... like i said he lives inside and i couldn't put him outside in a cage... is it time to maybe have him desexed...will that stop this terrible odor and are there any negative outcomes about desexing.

Answer
Yes, sounds like time for neutering AND descenting if you don't want to smell that again.  If the scent glands are left in tact, he will have the ability to release scent much like a skunk when excited or upset.  

Unneutered male ferrets don't make good house pets - they become single minded when 'in rut'.  These simple surgeries will keep your 'baby' just as you love him :-)  

I assume since you have been able to get a ferret who is unscented and unneutered, you just be in England (UK?????) Hopefully you con contact a ferret club or other ferret owner who can refer you to a good experienced vet to do the job for you. He won't miss the parts and he'll make an incredibly better pet without those two capabilities :-)

My hugs and best of luck to your little fella.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers