ferret breathing abnormal

Question
My albino male has been breathing faster and harder then normal for the last two hours. I also have a male sable. Both are fixed and descented. Fresh water is continously available, the house is kept cool, nonclumping fresh step litter, and they don't go outside. There is no apparent injury or source of pain. Do I need to go to vet tonight? I'm worried about a heart condition. Pneumonia seems unlikly, especially since Jeffy the albino is the fatter one and Rio the sable is fine.

Answer
Good morning Micheal,

Yes, you should get your ferret to the vet A.S.A.P. and I would not wait for tonight to go. Respiratory distress could be from a whole host of reasons ranging from heatworm disease (mosquito can get inside), to respiratory infection, or heart problems. When he is breathing hard look at his gums -- do they have a bluish tinge? That usually means that he is not getting enough oxygen to his tissues.

Please don't wait!

Hope he is okay, let me know.

Sincerely,
Adrienne Mortimer