Life CycleCare of Small Mammals:Ferrets

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Ferrets are in the weasel family (Mustelids)

European polecat (Mustela putorious)

Black-footed ferret (Mustela nigripes) (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Sevice)

Domesticated ferret (Mustela putorious furo)-No longer exist in wild

Ermine (Mustela erminea) Natural History Notebooks- Canadian Museum of Nature

Ferrets have been domesticated for thousands of years

Domesticated ~1500 BC by Egyptians

Rabbit hunting and rodent control-especially on ships

Ferrets are illegal in some areas due to concerns with Rabies,

Attack, and Predation

California

New York City

Basic DataLife Span – 5‐9 yearsAverage weight‐Males (Hobs)‐ up to 6 lbsFemales (Jills)‐ 2‐3 lbsBabies (Kits)

At least 10 distinct coat color types exist

Sable- most common

Silver

Albino

DEW

Others Include:Silver MittSterling SilverWhite footed Sable

Butterscotch

Ferrets are quick moving, curious, and intelligent

Ferret dancingfor pit bull

Ferrets “cache” food (also owner’s keys, cell phones, wires, etc.)

Seasonal Weight Variations are Normal in Intact Animals (especially males)

Up to 40% weight change is common(e.g. 6 pound male may lose 2.4 pounds)

Shorter day length (fall)-eat more- Weight gain

Increasing light (spring)-Eat less- Weight loss

Limits disease spread (colds  and flu) and makes the ferret less likely to bite

Wash hands before handling ferrets

Support the ferret under the chest and under the rump when held

Can also feed sweet substance (e.g. Nutri-cal, Ferretone)

“Scruffing” will cause a ferret to relax, often yawn

Sebaceous glands in the anal area and in the skin produce a musky odor under

the influence of hormones

Remove anal glands by 6 months (usually done at breeders)

Bathing may help, but will dry out the skin if too frequent

If not mating, ferrets should be spayed/neutered by 6 months

Most ferrets are neutered and de-scented at breeders

Unmated - life threatening problems (more later)

Both intact males and females may “mark” house with urine

Vaccinations are Important

Canine Distemper Virus (CDV) (8 weeks, 11-12 weeks, 14-16 weeks, booster yearly)

Rabies- killed vaccine (12-13 weeks, booster yearly)

Vaccine reactions are common

Do not use combination vaccines

Split vaccines into separate visits

Claws can and should be trimmed as needed

Please turn on your clickers

A. HerbivoresB. OmnivoresC. Carnivores

Ferrets are ______________

Which vaccine(s) is/are commonly given to ferrets (in addition to 

Rabies)?

A. Canine DistemperB. Feline DistemperC. Feline LeukemiaD. None of the above

If you buy a ferret from a pet store it will likely already be:

• A. Neutered• B. Descented• C. Both of the above• D. None of the above

Ferrets-Housing

Easily housebroken (like cats) -still need a cage with interior

Wire cage / solid floor-multiple levels

14x24x10-two adults

Small box within cage

Ferrets-Housing

• Ferrets can be housed outside if slowly acclimated to the cold

•Water bottle

and Litter tray•Rabbit-type pellet hopper or heavy bowl

Ferrets- Nutrition

Ferrets are CARNIVORES (they eat meat)Emphasis on high quality animal food sources •The instinct to hunt is present in domestic ferrets

Ferrets- Nutrition• Very short GI tract (like cats)- no cecum

• 3 hour Rate Of Passage

• Ideal- 6 to 8 small meals per day- ad lib good, but watch total amount fed

Compare to Guinea Pig Tract:

Guinea Pig TractCecum

Small intestine

Large intestine

Nutrient RequirementsNutrient Requirements

– NRC specific to ferrets not available‐ Nutrient Requirements of Mink and Foxes, Second Edition, 1982

– Commercial ferret food available and recommended

– Can use kitten food but not as well‐balanced

Meat‐based‐ If diet too high in plant protein‐ urinary pH and urolithiasis increase. 

Limit Fruits (they like sweets)

Nutrient Requirements

Crude Protein30‐35% for adults (upper end for kits)

Crude Fat15‐20% (upper level for kits, lactating females)

Adult maintenance• Naturally lean but can become obese

• Limit sweets

• Teeth problems ‐moisten dry food for aged ferrets

Breeding/Reproduction• Males – hobs (neutered- gibs)

• Females -jills (neutered- sprites)

• Newborns - kits

• Birth process – whelping

• Puberty at 6-8 months

• Seasonal Breeders- Breeding season typically March-August

Breeding Reproduction• Male ferret- Penis located on ventral

abdomen• Os Penis• External testes (but usually neutered)

Breeding/Reproduction External Genitalia of Female Ferret

This female is in estrus This female is anestrus or immature

Female Reproduction• Induced ovulators; like cat • BUT>> When in heat they must mate to go out of heat (about 50%)

• If not mated ‐ continuous high estrogen levels – estrogen toxicosis

• May develop aplastic anemia ‐ die from bone marrow depression (few RBC, WBC, platelets)

Breeding / Reproduction- Pregnancy• Provide nesting box

• Gestation‐ 38‐44 days

• Litter size – 2‐15 kits per litter (avg. 8)‐ umbilical cords can become tangled

http://www.thewebferrets.nl/ferrets.html

Ferrets are born blind and hairless (altricial)

• Eyes open at 32‐ 34 days• Which species’ eyes open earlier?

–A. CATS–B. FERRETS

Reproduction Feeding• Pregnant females‐ avoid obesity‐ feed good quality

• Pregnancy toxemia can occur‐ negative energy balance in late gestation (accidental fast)

• Lactating – higher fat (20%)‐ 2X calories of maintenance 

http://www.craftycreatures.com/forferretsonly/ferret_school/ferretschool_breeding.html

Ferrets‐ Orphans• Feline milk replacer works well• 20% Fat• Feedings should be every 2 hrs first week.• Feed every 4 hrs next 3‐4 weeks

Ferrets‐ Orphans

Stimulate orphan after each feeding‐massage genitals with warm cotton ball

Ferrets‐Growth• Start to wean at 6 wks‐ one‐half ferret food + one‐half cat milk substitute

• Expect a kit at 8‐12 wks to eat as much as an adult female

• Restrict treats‐ ensure good diet

• Moisten feed for kits until eating well

How old are these ferrets?

• A. Newborn• B. Less than 1 month old• C. At least 1 month old

http://babyanimalz.com/2010/03/cup-of-baby-ferrets/

Ferret HealthFor more information on ferret health and disease‐ Tufts open courseware:

http://ocw.tufts.edu/Content/60/lecturenotes/807949

CASE STUDIES –HERE IS A SAMPLING OF COMMON PROBLEMS FACED BY OWNERS AND VET PRACTICES…..

Signs:Sneezing, mucopurulent nasal dischargeWatery eyesAnorexicFeverOwner reports that they aren’t feeling well either

1

Possible causes?

Canine Distemper

Influenza virus

1

Influenza Virus (Different from “common cold”)

• Can spread from ferret to ferret, ferret to human, human to ferret

• Low mortality rate• Treat symptomatically‐ chicken soup

1

7‐year‐old Ferret‐ lethargy, collapse, very low blood glucose, drooling Exploratory abdominal surgery found this mass

PANCREAS - (What hormone could be affected ??)

2

Insulinoma

• Growth on the pancreas– Hyperinsulinemia leads to hypoglycemia (“low blood sugar”) and explains the weakness noted

• Most common neoplasia in ferrets

2

Alopecia + Swollen Vulva 3a

Lethargic, Alopecia Ferret

2-year-old ferret jill is dull, lethargic, and

has a generalized alopecia

3a

Typical Endocrine Alopecia

• Bilateraly symmetrical• Non‐pruritic• May come and go (depending on cause)

3

What’s going on ??• Estrogen toxicity:

• Unbred intact female in prolonged heatOR

• Spayed female with ovarian remnant• Estrogen remains very high causing hair loss, eventual bone marrow depression and anemia.

3a

Alopecia- neutered ferret (not related to ovaries)??

3b

Adrenal Neoplasia

• Increased estrogens, androgens (cortisol often normal)

• Females could also have swollen vulva‐if neutered can be reasonably certain it’s hyper‐adrenal vs elevated ovarian estrogen ! (unless ovarian remnant remains)

• May require adrenal gland removal 

3b

1‐year‐old spayed female Ferret

Housed indoors, decreased appetite, and intermittent diarrhea‐abnormal mass in 

GI tract

4

Foreign body in GI tract !

• A rubber band was surgically removed !• Ferrets usually do not vomit unless near‐complete obstruction so don’t “wait” for vomiting as a symptom of trouble !

4

Young Ferret with lethargy, diarrhea, and anorexia

5

More bad eating habits !

• Foreign body (small toy) in the small intestine• Surgical removal

5

4 Month Old Ferret Found Outside

Weak

Sneezing, mucoid nasal discharge

Crusted and thickened foot pads

6

Despite care it became ataxic and comatose

Most Likely Cause ?

Influenza?

Canine Distemper  Virus? Both respiratory and neurologic symptoms (if only respiratory symptoms probably flu or pneumonia)

6

4 Year Old Castrated Male Ferret

Progressive urinary incontinence and a large, painful bladder

7

Urinary tract calculi

• Pass catheter to relieve pressure• May need to surgically remove “stone”

• Struvite calculi most common‐high pH due to high plant protein

7

5 year old female ferret

• Enlarged lymph nodes

• Inappetance• Weight loss

8

Lymphoma

• Adult onset (2‐9 years) and juvenile (less than 2 years)

• Variety of signs, depending on organ involvement (young ferrets‐ difficulty breathing due to enlarged thymus)

8

4‐year‐old Ferret, hair thinning on tail; raised and ulcerated lesion at midpoint

9

Possible causes• Lesion‐

– Neoplasm – many types of skin tumors are common in ferrets (in this case‐Mast Cell tumor)

– Possibly an abscess, wound• Tail hair thinning may be unrelated

– Occurs often in ferrets, usually regrows in 1‐3 mos. Cause unknown 

– Suspect adrenal or hormonal disease if lasts longer or progresses above tail head

– Ferrets can also get fleas, scabies, other parasites 

9

What does the term “idiopathic” mean?

• A. Below normal intelligence• B. Of unknown cause• C. Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease• D. Crystals in the urine

Clicker Question

Neonatal ferrets are:A. AltricialB. Precocial