I think my ferret is sick

Question
I just took in two ferrets. and one of them his hair is missing by his tail his hair is course and all he wants to eat is my cats food. I think that is what the other owner was feeding him. Please tell me what I should do to get him better. thank you Tammy

Answer
Hi Tammy:

Thanks for writing.  First you need to address his malnutrition. That may take a little work. The best food for him of course is a higher protein ferret food like Totally Ferret or anything with a protein level over 45%. Remember when you choose food that ferrets are carnivores and make sure there is NO SUGAR of any kind in the ingredients (i.e., no ingredients that end in "ose" such as glucose, sucrose, lactose, fructose, etc). It has been proven that sugars cause insulinoma (cancer of the pancreas) in ferrets.  

The baldness near the tail means he has adrenal disease, cancer of the adrenal glands.  This is completely curable by surgical removal of the tumors. Cost is usually between $200 and $1,000 depending on where you live - call around and compare prices; sometimes it's even worthwhile to travel to a nearby town for surgery to save money - just make sure the vet is very familiar with ferrets and comfortable with working with them.  

One way to do that is to check with ferret shelters in your area and ask who they use. Here are some lists of some shelters, hopefully some in your area that you can check with for a vet referral:

SHELTERS - CANADA, GERMANY, NEW ZEALAND
 * http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-international-ferret-shelter...

SHELTERS/RESCUES - UK (ENGLAND)
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/ferretrescues.htm
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-international-ferret-shelter...

SHELTERS/RESCUES - U.S.
* http://www.ferret.org/links/shelters.shtm
* http://www.everythingferret.com/ferret_shelters.htm
* http://groups.msn.com/Ferret/yourwebpage5.msnw
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-products.html
* http://www.ferretfacts.com/ferret-shelter-directory-us-ferret-shelters.html

and here is a list of vets:

VETS CANADA:   
* http://www.ferretrescue.ca/start.php
* http://tinylink.com/?TlVyYKa6e0
* http://www.ferrets.org/Veterinarian_Listings.htm   (British Columbia)
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/sask_ferrets/

VETS USA:
* http://www.quincyweb.net/quincy/vet.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/
* http://www.ferret-universe.com/vets/vetlist.asp
* http://www.ferretsanctuary.com/vets.shtml
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-vets.html
* http://ferrethealth.org/vets/

VETS  UK & IRELAND:  
* http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/vetlist.htm

VET INFO/ LIST OF FERRET GROUPS/ CONTACTS IN UK, ITALY, NEW ZEALAND, AUSTRALIA, NETHERLANDS, GERMANY & DENMARK:       
* http://www.ferretcentral.org/for-others/db-overseas.html (scroll down page to find the one you are looking for)

VET TO VET HELP: (procedure videos & phone consultations)
* http://www.westendanimal.com   Dr. Deborrah Kemmerer *order medical procedure videos (vets)
* http://www.bradleyhills.com   Dr. Charles Weiss - *does vet to vet telephone consultations for a fee*
* http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html   Dr. Bruce Williams *pathology only* http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
* http://www.lbah.com/404.html      Long Beach Animal Hospital

The most immediate concern I have is to get some good food into him. That should help immensely. It may be a struggle if he's used to junk food - just like kids; but he will never be healthy and have energy unless he gets on good food.

Here are a few websites that will give you some general ferret information. You didn't mention if you have had ferrets before or not. Briefly, ferrets sleep in soft blankies, even T-shirts or sweatshirts, baby receiving blankets, etc.  Litterbox should have either regular NON-CLUMPING clay litter or pelleted newspaper litter; put blankies anywhere in the cage that you don't want them to poop for now and that will train them where you want them to eat/sleep and potty.  They will need fresh water at least twice a day, even if they have a water bottle....they like to drink from a bowl also.  Balls with bells in them are great toys, beware of any styrofoam items, pencil erasers or soft rubber, nipples from baby bottles, etc because they will eat them and they will get an intestinal blockage.  Watch for spaghetti-skinny poops and/or scant poops - that indicates intestinal blockage and is an emergency - to the vet for surgery to remove whatever is blocking intestines immediately or the ferret will die - better yet, watch them closely when out of the cage playing.  A big box full of crumpled up newspapers is a great toy;  clear flexible dryer hose is great fun, N-bones are fun and healthy to chew on (pet store) and a great treat.  Okay, here's the websites for you:


* www.thechipster.com/fert-man.html   <----------BEST!!
* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferret#See_also
* http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ferret_school/ferretschool_aboutfe... (great for folks considering a                    ferret as a pet
* http://www.ferretcentral.org  & scroll down to topic necessary
* http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ferret_school/ferretschool_aboutfe...
* http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ask_angela/index.html


Best of luck - write again if I can be of help!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers