Category — ferrets articles

Dirofilaria immitis Parasite

Heartworm disease is a dangerous parasitic infection that is transmitted by mosquitoes. The worm, a Dirofilaria immitis parasite, lodges itself in the pulmonary artery of the ferret’s heart and grows, causing the organ to increase in size, high blood pressure and/or blood clots (much like in dogs). It may be seen in ferrets at any age, and is usually more common in tropical and semi-tropical zones. Also, infections consisting of very few worms (one to two adults) is sufficient enough to cause severe heart disease (and death) in ferrets.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management

[Heartworm in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Hyperadrenocorticism

Ferrets suffer from various hormonal disorders. And since ferrets mature sexually quickly — as young as four months of age — these disorders tend to show early in life.

• Symptoms and Types
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prevention

[Hormone Overproduction in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Influenza Virus

The influenza virus is quite contagious and can be passed on from humans to ferrets, and vice versa. However, it is far more likely a ferret contracts the human influenza virus from a person, than a human catching the flu from a ferret.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Prevention

[Human Influenza Virus in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Coccidiosis

Parasitic infections are common in ferrets, especially young ferrets. And although parasitic infections can occur on the skin and in other parts of the body, they are often found in the digestive tract (i.e., the stomach and intestines).

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

[Intestinal Parasites (Coccidia) in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Kidney or renal diseases in ferrets are uncommon, but not rare.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

[Kidney Disease in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Proliferative Bowel Disease in Ferrets

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 the bacterium causing proliferative enteritis in hamsters and swine).

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

[Lower Bowel Disease: Read more ->]

Sarcoptic Mange

Mange (or scabies) is an uncommon parasitic skin disease that can be found anywhere on the ferret’s body.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

[Mange in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Lymphoma

In ferrets, lymphoma is a benign tumor — an abnormal, non-cancerous tissue growth — of the lymph tissue. It can affect both young and old ferrets. However, the disease courses through quickly in young ferrets, while lymphomas are a chronic problem for adult ferrets.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

[Multi-Organ Tumor in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Insulinoma

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 is usually seen in ferrets older than two years of age.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment
• Living and Management
• Prevention

[Pancreatic Tumor in Ferrets: Read more ->]

Mast Cell Tumor

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 or system in the body. And while most tumors are benign and do not spread to other organs of the body, there are some tumors which can become cancerous and begin spreading, threatening the life of the sick ferret.

• Symptoms and Types
• Causes
• Diagnosis
• Treatment

[Skin Tumor in Ferrets: Read more ->]