Ferret Has a Cold?

Question
I noticed today my ferret sounds flemmy. It isn't a cough or a sneeze but seems to choke on flem. She is eating and is normally active. Should I have her looked at by a vet. Or if it is a cold will it pass like a humans cold does.

Answer
Hi Sue:

"Officially", the experts say that ferrets don't get colds, but they can get the flu from people.  However, I believe my ferrets have had colds, so I do understand the sound you are describing.

When my kids sound congested, I put a COOL MIST VAPORIZER (NOT a hot one because it raises the room temperature and you don't want the ferret to become overheated) next to the cage and place a big sheet over the cage and vaporizer to keep the moistened air around the cage.  Be sure it is not too close to the cage so the cage becomes wet, blankies damp, etc.  Add an extra blankie or two for the ferret to snuggle down into. The extra moisture in the air hopefully will ward off breathing problems and congestion.

One thing you want to be SURE of.....and that is to KNOW that your ferret is not gagging on fur she has swallowed while grooming. This can also cause a funny sound in their throat.  Just for safety sake, I give my kids a laxative just to be sure they don't have a hairball....because if they do and you treat for respiratory problems, the ferret can die quickly for an untreated hairball problem.

I recommend this for hairball treatment INSTEAD of ferretlax or cat laxatives.  A product called "VETASYL" is a bulk laxative for pets.  I use Uncle Jim's Duk Soup Mix and make some reallly soupy 'soup'.  Use 8 oz of very warm water and stir in 2 level teaspoons of Uncle Jim's (or use whatever 'soup' you give your kids - Hill's A/D with water added to make a gravy-consistency soup, baby food meat with a bit of water added, or any of the many ferret duck soup recipes available online.  THEN, open ONE CAPSULE of Vetasyl (throw the capsule itself in the trash) and put the contents into the soup, stir well. Give to the ferret while it's still nice and warm and let the ferret eat all they possibly can. My big male ferret eats the whole 8 oz, so let them eat all they possible can - the more the better it will clean them out.  

Encourage them to eat by dipping your finger in the warm soup mixture, then into their mouth and after several times, they *should* eat it on their own. If they don't continue to feed using your finger or a spoon - whatever it takes to get it down them.

If your ferret isn't used to soup, please continue to offer it on your finger or from a spoon until she gets used to it.  Soon she will beg for it, once she is used to it.  However long it takes - it's important that ALL ferrets become familiar with a meat-based soup of some kind, as you will need them to know it when they get sick and you have to supplement their kibble. All ferrets need 'soup' at one time or another in their lives...so this is a good excuse to get them used to it. Give this concoction for THREE DAYS IN A ROW at least once a month and your ferrets will remain free from hairballs as long as they get enough down (at least 4 oz each time).  

Vetasyl is a bulk laxative, so it is very very effective and cleanses the entire bowel, scrubbing the inner bowel as it moves thru the ferrets system, unlike the sugary, greasy laxatives we've all given our ferrets for years. Once you get used to using Vetasyl, you will never go back to the goopy stuff!

I hope your little one gets feeling better soon. I hope you will follow up with the Vetasyl and soup. It makes a great bedtime snack and they get to go to bed with a belly full of nice, warm soup.  Watch the litterbox for what can sometimes be HUGE hairballs that they pass when given the vetasyl.  Her cold should pass as quickly as it came on. If it doesn't, please get her to a vet (or if she gets more or flu-like symptoms and becomes lethargic). They usually get over colds/flu just fine within about 3 days.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers