Cachexia in Ferrets When a ferret loses more than 10 percent of what is considered normal body weight for an animal its size, it is referred to as weight loss.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy in Ferrets Any disease in ferrets not caused by a viral, fungal, parasitic or bacterial infection is referred to as a non-infectious disease. One serious non-infectious disease in

Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis in Ferrets Epizootic catarrhal enteritis (ECE) is a highly contagious viral infection in ferrets. It often recognized by the inflammation it causes in the ferret’s intestines. Older

Vaginal discharge refers to any unusual substance coming from the animal’s vagina such as mucus, blood, or pus. Depending in part on the age and reproductive status of the ferret

Pyometra and Stump Pyometra in Ferrets Pyometra is a life-threatening uterine infection that develops when bacterial invasion of the endometrium (wall of the uterus) leads to an accumulation of pus.

A urinary tract obstruction causes the ferret to strain while urinating, producing little or no urine each time. This may occur due to inflammation or compression on the urethra, or

Urolithiasis in Ferrets Urolithiasis is a condition where certain compounds called uroliths form in the urinary tract. Made of stones, crystals, or calculi, the uroliths are caused by metabolic and

Integumentary Neoplasms in Ferrets More commonly referred to as a tumor, a neoplasm is an abnormal cluster of cell growth. They can affect various parts of the body, including the

Neoplasia in the Musculoskeletal and Nervous Systems in Ferrets More commonly referred to as a tumor, a neoplasm is an abnormal cluster of cell growth. There is no known age

Neoplastic Tumors in the Digestive System Neoplasia is the medical term for the development of a neoplasm, an abnormal cluster of cell growth that is more commonly known as a

Chordomas and Chondrosarcomas in Ferrets A chordoma is a slow-growing tumor on a ferret’s spine or tail which arises from remnants of notochords — flexible, rod-shaped bodies that are located

Gastroduodenal Ulcers in Ferrets Gastroduodenal ulcers are a type of lesion that form in the mucosa or stomach lining in ferrets. This can lead to problems such as anemia and

Gastritis in Ferrets Gastritis refers to inflammation of the “gastric mucosa” or the membrane that lines the stomach in ferrets. This inflammation can lead to erosions of the stomach lining

Mast Cell Tumor in Ferrets Ferrets, like their human owners, can suffer from various types of tumors. A tumor is an abnormal growth of cells or tissues in any organ

Salmonellosis in Ferrets This disease is caused by Salmonella, a strain of bacteria which infects the stomach and intestines. The affectation of this disease may be mild or moderate. If

Nasal Discharge in Ferrets If your ferret has a runny nose, it is actually referred to as nasal discharge. This discharge may be clear, mucoid, pustulant, or even contain blood

Hypersplenism in Ferrets Hypersplenism is a syndrome in which red or white blood cells are removed at an abnormally high rate by the spleen, resulting in one or more cytopenias

When a ferret’s stomach contents (i.e., food) move backwards up the esophageal track and into the mouth, it is referred to as regurgitation. This may not only affect the digestive

A severe, invariably fatal viral encephalitis, rabies is infectious to mammals, including dogs, ferrets, and even humans. The virus enters the body through a wound (usually from a bite of

Rectal and Anal Prolapse in Ferrets Anal or rectal prolapse is a condition in which one or more layers of the rectum are displaced through the anus, the opening which

Dystocia and Fetal Death in Ferrets A difficult birthing experience is medically referred to as dystocia. This condition may occur as a result of maternal or fetal factors, and can

Aspiration Pneumonia in Ferrets Aspiration (or inhalation) pneumonia is a medical condition in which the ferret’s lungs become inflamed due to the inhalation of foreign matter, or from vomiting or

Aleutian Disease Virus (ADV) in Ferrets Parvovirus infection, also known as Aleutian Disease Virus (ADV), is an infection from the parvovirus that can be contracted by ferrets and minks. This

Giardiasis in Ferrets An intestinal infection, giardiasis is caused by the protozoan parasite Giardia. Contamination can occur from direct or indirect contact with the infected cysts, which are shed in

Paresis is the medical term for a weakness of voluntary movement, while paralysis is the term for a complete lack of voluntary movement. Symptoms and Types There are various types

Insulinoma in Ferrets   Insulinoma is a tumor in the pancreas that secretes an excess quantity of insulin. It is one of the most common diseases in pet ferrets, and

Hyperestrogenism in Ferrets Produced by the ovary, testes, and adrenal cortex (endocrine gland at the top end of the kidneys) for the purpose of regulating the menstrual cycle (estrus), estrogen

Pregnancy Toxemia in Ferrets Toxemia is a life-threatening condition to both the mother and kits caused by a negative energy balance in late pregnancy. It usually develops in the last

Canine Distemper in Ferrets Canine distemper virus (CDV) is a very contagious, fast acting disease that affects many different body systems in ferrets, including the respiratory, gastrointestinal and central nervous

Gastrointestinal and Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Ferrets Because ferrets often chew nonfood items, discovering foreign bodies or objects lodged in the gastrointestinal region (i.e., esophagus, stomach, and intestine) is not

Sarcoptic Mange in Ferrets Mange (or scabies) is an uncommon parasitic skin disease that can be found anywhere on the ferret’s body. This parasitic mite is contagious and can be

Lymphosarcoma in Ferrets A type of white blood cell, lymphocytes play an important and integral role in the body’s defenses. When a cancer develops in the lympocyte cells of the

Bacterial Cystitis in Ferrets Bacteria invade and colonize in the urinary bladder and/or the upper portion of the urethra when the local defense system, which helps protect against infection, is

Proliferative Bowel Disease Proliferative bowel disease (PBD) is an infection of the ferret’s lower colon caused by the spiral bacteria Lawsonia intracellularis (an organism which is also closely related to

Hypoglycemia in Ferrets Hypoglycemia is an abnormally low blood concentration of glucose, or sugar—basically, the opposite of diabetes. It’s caused by excess insulin or insulin-like factors (e.g., insulinoma or an

Anorexia Anorexia is a very serious condition which causes a ferret to lose its appetite, refuse to eat, and thus lose a dangerous amount of weight. Typically, ferrets lose their

Clostridial Enterotoxicosis in Ferrets Abnormally high levels of the Clostridium perfringens, a bacteria commonly found inhabiting decaying vegetation and marine sediment, can bring on the intestinal syndrome Clostridial enterotoxicosis, sometimes

Ataxia in Ferrets Ataxia is a condition relating to sensory dysfunction, which mainly affects the neurological and motor systems, particularly movements of the limbs, head, and neck among ferrets. Symptoms

Renal Failure in Ferrets Failure of the kidney — which among other things regulates blood pressure, blood sugar, blood volume, water composition in the blood, and pH levels, and produces