Signs and Symptoms
Quick tips on signs and symptoms
Note: Consult with your vet if your ferret is acting unusual! While you are "the first line of defense" for your pet's health, a trained professional can help ascertain what the combination of symptoms may mean. A vet, not your spouse, best friend, other ferret owner, or the local shelter, is the BEST QUALIFIED person to advise you if your animal needs immediate veterinary attention. Please be advised this listing is by no means exhaustive!
EYES
Bulging or swollen eyes------------------ Glaucoma
Runny or watery eyes---------------------Allergy, cold
Pus --------------------------------------------Conjunctivitis
Brown crusting------------------------------Distemper
White spot or "disk" in eye/s ----------- Cataract
Blindness ------------------------------------Cataract
MOUTH
Pale gums-----------------------------------Anemia, low blood pressure
Red, sore or bleeding gums----------- Tarter buildup; gingivitis
Bluish gray gums-------------------------- Lack of Oxygen
Blackened teeth ---------------------------Dead tooth
Dark or stained teeth --------------------Age, tetracycline as kit
Rash on chin and lips--------------------Distemper
Drooling--------------------------------------Insulinoma, seizure; poison
Clenched teeth ----------------------------Insulinoma, seizure
Scratching at mouth--------------------- Broken tooth, nausea
Vomiting ------------------------------------Foreign body, ulcers, ECE; hairballs; poison
Vomiting blood ----------------------------Internal hemorrhage
Panting--------------------------------------Heat stroke; severe pain; insulinoma seizure
NOSE
Sore on Nose -----------------------------Infection
Runny nose, sneezing ------------------Runny nose, sneezing
Short, broken whiskers------------------Poor nutrition, ill health
Dark pink or red --------------------------Insulinoma, seizure
Bright red ----------------------------------Hypothermia (heat stroke)
EARS
Black inside---------------------------------Excessive dirt
Black inside, itching ----------------------Mites
Yellow ----------------------------------------Hepatitis
Bad smell -----------------------------------Excessive dirt; yeast-type infection
Growth --------------------------------------Tumor; infected bite
Loss of hair on ears ---------------------Another ferret chewing on them
Deafness -----------------------------------Congenital, Wardenburg's Syndrome (panda pattern); infection
PAWS
"Splayed" feet----------------------------- Housed on wire
Hair loss-------------------------------------Age, adrenal disease
Dry pads ------------------------------------Clay litter
Dark pink pads---------------------------- Insulinoma, seizure
Bright red pads----------------------------Hyperthermia (heat stroke)
Rough, thickened pads -----------------Distemper
Roughened, scratched pads ----------Lost outside for significant period; housed outdoors/dirt/cement
Long quick ---------------------------------Not regularly clipped
Nail torn out -------------------------------Caught on bedding; on cage wire
Curled toes --------------------------------Age, weak hindquarters Legs
Limping -------------------------------------Stepped on
Staggering ---------------------------------Insulinoma; stroke; ear infection
Stiffness ------------------------------------Arthritis; age; over-caged
Weakness in hindquarters-------------Age; arthritis; low blood sugar; general illness
TAIL
Kinked----------------------------------------Previously broken; birth defect
Lump at end -------------------------------Chondromas
Black spots---------------------------------Blackheads
Hair loss ------------------------------------Blackheads; age; adrenal disease
Fur & Skin
Dry -------------------------------------------Sleeping in litter; poor nutrition; age; general illness
Black spots --------------------------------Flea dirt
Fur falling out -----------------------------Seasonal coat change; poor nutrition; stress; flea allergy
Guard hair sparse -----------------------Regrowth of coat
Thinning -----------------------------------Age; unnatural light cycle; adrenal disease; in heat or rut
Pattern Loss: base of tail, side ------Adrenal disease
Along side back -------------------------Adrenal disease
"Graying" ----------------------------------Natural silvering pattern; age
Flaking skin -------------------------------Flea dermatitis; poor nutrition; allergies; over-shampooing
Yellowed -----------------------------------Hepatitis
Reddened, rough skin----------------- Allergies; fleas; sunburn; bites from others
"Pinched" skin stays pinched --------Dehydration
Wart-like growths -----------------------Skin tumors
Dark brown or black "moles" ---------Ticks
"Puffy," inflamed areas ----------------Abscess
Sore slow to heal -----------------------Diabetes; adrenal disease; cancer
Lungs
Coughing ---------------------------------Cold, heart disease; lymphosarcoma
Wheezing --------------------------------Allergy; heart disease; pneumonia
Rapid breathing ------------------------Heat stroke; pain
Difficult breathing ----------------------Heart disease; pneumonia; lymphosarcoma; heartworm Stomach/Spleen
Stomach distension -------------------Intestinal blockage; heart disease; poison; internal tumor
"Lopsided" abdomen ------------------Enlarged spleen
Hardened area along abdomen ----Enlarged spleen
Anorexia ----------------------------------Stomach or mouth ulcers; ECE
URINATION/DEFICATION
Male "dribbling" or crying Urinary------------tract blockage; bladder stones; kidney infection; adrenal disease
"Sand" in urine----------------------------------- Bladder stones
Heavy urination &/or excessive thirst-------Diabetes; kidney infection
Inability to urinate -------------------------------Kidney failure; blockage
Inability to defecate ----------------------------Internal blockage
Diarrhea ------------------------------------------Dairy products; food allergies; stress; coccidia; camphobacter
Green diarrhea ----------------------------------Upset stomach; stress; ECE
Dark, tarry stool --------------------------------Too many raisins; bleeding
Blood in stool-------------------------------------Internal hemorrhage, cancer
Fabric or odd objects in stool---------------- Eating fabric or toys
Frequent, small stool --------------------------Poor rectal muscles
Protrusion from anus---------------------------Rectal prolapse
Draining area near anus ---------------------Anal gland impaction
REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS
Bleeding penis -------------------------------Caught on something
Growth on penis -----------------------------Tumor "Dragging" penis across things Territorial marking; adrenal disease
Swollen vulva ---------------------------------In heat; leftover ovarian tissue; adrenal disease
Pus or discharge from vulva --------------Infection; adrenal disease
OVERALL BODY
Temperature over 103-----------------------Fever
Temperature under 95 ----------------------Hypothermia; serious illness
Severe anemia -------------------------------Lengthy heat cycle; internal tumor; severely enlarged spleen
Limp upon awakening ----------------------Baby sleep; low blood sugar; insulinoma
Comatose -------------------------------------Insulinoma; stroke
Uncontrollable shivers/tremors ----------Shock; poison
Convulsions ----------------------------------Insulinoma seizure; epilepsy; poison; shock
Wasting ---------------------------------------Cancer; age; internal blockage; internal parasite
Enlarged lymph nodes --------------------Infection; cold/flu; lymphosarcoma
Blood sugar level under 80 --------------Anorexia; insulinoma
BEHAVIORAL
Fainting -----------------------------------------Insulinoma
Lethargy ----------------------------------------Anemia; low glucose; age; heart disease; illness
"Listing " to one side ------------------------Ear infection; mites; stroke
Walking in circles ----------------------------Stroke
Excessive grooming ------------------------Stress; adrenal disease
Biting when startled -------------------------Blind; deaf
Biting other ferrets ---------------------------Blind; dominance issues
Hopping & leaping —————————PLAYING!
