Something's wrong with my ferret?

Question

I got a ferret on friday and right away i noticed that he was really skinny like I can feel and see all of his bones...and he doesn't play much at all he sleeps constently and even when he's not sleeping he just kind of lays there...and his back legs are very weak and he can't walk properly he will take a few steps then fall over....he eats and drinks normally and his poop looks normal...i already scheduled a vet appointment for him but it's not for another 2 weeks i'm just worried....do you have any ideas what could be wrong or is there away i could help him gain weight.

Answer 1

After hearing the description and the age, my guess would be that the ferret may have insulinoma, which is cancerous nodes on the pancreas. Ferrets with that disease often act that way. Very lethargic, staring into space, hind leg problems, losing weight. They usually eat, drink, poop, and pee normal, just act weird. Do some online research on this to see if that is the cause. Insulinoma can be treated with surgery, but often times it will come back after 6 months to 2 years after the surgery. Prednisone is a medication that also can be given as well. It won't cure the problem, but it will help the ferret to get back to normal.



It could also be other medical problems as well. Ferrets are prone to many issues. Cysts on the liver or kidneys can cause these symptoms as well. Sometimes they can be removed, and sometimes there's nothing you can do. We had a shelter ferret showing all the symptoms you described and he ended up having a liver cyst that was inoperable.



Feel under the back legs, front legs and on the neck. If the lymphnodes are enlarged, the ferret also could have lymphoma. Most of the times ferrets will put on weight with lymphoma, but occasionally ferrets will lose a lot of weight as well. Towards the end of that cancer, ferrets will act the way you describe.



Basically the best thing you can do is take the ferret to the vet ASAP. And make sure the vet is ferret knowledgeable, otherwise you might not find the real answers. To find a really ferret knowledgeable vet join the FHL, which is the Ferret Health List. It is a yahoo group dedicated to ferret health. You can ask questions about your ferret's condition, and you can also ask for info about good ferret vets in your area. There are many vets, shelters, and many experienced ferret owners that can help you out.



I hope your little one gets better.

Answer 2

Little guy needs to see the vet ASAP! He could have a neurological problem, broken hip, back, leg, etc. Or even some type of disease. I had mine do that, but it was due to illness (insulinomia) where he would take a couple of steps, and then fall over. Make sure he is getting enough to eat! If you have to, get some Karo syrup or Ferretvite, dab a little on your finger, and press it to his gums. If his gums are a very, very light pink to almost white, that is not good. Gums should normally be a healthy pink.



Insulinomia is only one of the causes of back legs being very weak. So, make sure your vet knows about ferrets and see if you can get in on an emergency basis because once these little guys get sick, time is of the essence!

Answer 3

Do you put liquid vitamins mixed in with his food. I used to do that with my ferret and he lived 9 years (which is a hefty time). Ferrets are VERY prone to getting Cysts.. Your ferret might have a cyst in the wrong place. I talked to my vet about this awhile ago for a friend and he said that the ferret would mostly like pass away because of the surgery then the tumour (or at least faster). I'm sorry, I know having ferrets is very difficult.

If this gets worse go to an emergency vet clinic, and screw your old one (2 weeks is ridiculous).

Try yogurt drops to increase his want to eat something.

Answer 4

I'm guessing that means that you got him from a pet shop? Pet shops let animals get very sick. I know someone that works at Petsmart and they have to get there before it opens to clean out all the dead animals. Pet shops= bad.



But are you feeding him raw meat too? I've talked to some people that say that it improved their ferret's health a lot.



And btw - did you ever look at him at night? Ferrets are pretty much nocturnal, so he might be a little bit more energetic then.



I don't own a ferret so I don't know anything else that would help you, sorry.

Answer 5

Oh goodness. Your ferret has classic symptoms of SOOOOO many ferret problems. Either way, call a vet now. While you are waiting for your appointment you can read the following info.



http://www.peteducation.com/article.cfm?cls=11&cat=1283&articleid=2579

Answer 6

Why did you buy him if he was so sickly and skinny? Ferrets are pretty expensive, too. He couldn't have gotten so sickly in like 4 days. Call the vet again and ask if there is anything you can do in the mean time untill the appt.