Insect Bites on Ferrets in UK?

Question
we have 3 ferrets that have always been fine then the other day our male one who is seprate from the two feemales was couging and seemed to be havin trouble breathing we thought he might have something stuck in his throught but after looking we descovered a lump on his neck but dont know why now a couple of days later and one of the feemale ferrets has the same problem on the neck again and it looks like it could be a bite because their is a little red pin point mark on it also within just these two days the first male ferret is looking almost dead please help us we live in the uk and carnt think of an insect that could do this here

Answer
Hi Craig:

It is very very important that you get these ferrets to a vet NOW. I cannot diagnose them over the internet, but from what you are describing, your ferrets are probably going to die if they don't at least get some sub-cutaneous fluids within hours. Once ferrets "look like they are dying" you don't have long to get to a vet.  Ferrets are notorious for hiding their illnesses, so once they look sick, they are already very very sick.

Please please get both to a vet ASAP!  Here is some information on vets in the UK that may be helpful to you. If you have an emergency vet clinic, you should take them there - wherever they can be seen soonest.

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*
 
Dr. Bruce Williams *pathology only*          http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html

* http://www.lbah.com/404.html      
   Long Beach Animal Hospital

Best of luck to you and my prayers are with your little ferrets. Please let me know what happens, okay?  Please, hurry to a vet.....that is the only chance you have right now to save their lives.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers