female heat

Question
Will my female ferret go into heat, like dogs do?
thank you,
Cassie

Answer
Female ferrets are seasonally polyestrus, which means they can come into heat more than once during the breeding season (March through August). They are also induced ovulators, which means ovulation occurs after copulation. The onset of heat is recognized by swelling of the external genitalia. If a ferret in heat does not engage in copulation, she will remain in heat for up to 160 days. If she is bred, the swelling of the external genitalia usually regresses to normal within 2-3 weeks after copulation.
Sustained sexual heat is dangerous and life-threatening because it usually results in bone marrow suppression. This results in severe anemia and decreases in the number of circulating white blood cells. Because of this likelihood, any female ferret not intended for breeding should be sterilized  at 6-8 months of age. Female ferrets in heat can be taken out of heat within about 3 weeks by injection of a specific hormone after the first 10 days of heat. Once out of heat, they can be spayed before they come back into heat (usually 40-50 days after administration of the hormone).

If you don't intend to breed her, I would spay her ASAP. You can consult you vet about this. Thank you for your question, hope this helps.

amy