| Confused about the little one - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| ismene |
Hello to everyone!
I am new to this but wanted to see id anyone can help solve the mystery for me. I am in Greece and there aren't many vets that know about ferrets. I bought two ferrets from a pet store in August (from Holland). They told me that one was male and one was female. The female has grown a lot, but the "male" remained small and weaker in its front two legs, and bites a bit, and only recently started gaining some weight and biting less. What I didn't relaize until just yesterday, was that the male, might actually be a female! I noticed that what i thought (as they also told me at the pet store) were the testicles.... was actually the vulva. NOW - what i also noticed was that a week ago, what apparently was swollen and apparently mistaken for the testicles by the pet store, was actually a 'swollen vulva'... I matched some pictures at the cinnamon sprite ferret site, and realized that the little fuzzy beauty might be sufferering from adrenal glad disease. Like i mentioned the swelling went down a week ago, which is what made me realize there was a "swelling" problem in the first place. Does that mean that i need to look into surgery? OR is it something that will subside now that the swelling is going down?? It is really hard to find someone who actually knows about ferrets, and even harder to find someone who can tell me about surgery here in Athens.
Any help would be appreciated.
THANKS! |
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| Tonytcla |
You must get a good book on ferrets (amazon has a choice) there are many things you need to know to look after them properly.
Female ferrets, called jills, must be neutered if they are not to be used for breeding (breeding not recommended for inexperienced owners). If a female ferret is not neutered it will come into season sometime after it is 6 months old usually in early spring. If the ferret is not mated then it will remain in season indefinitly this will result in the bone marrow not producing red blood cells (Aplastic Anaemia). the ferret will die.
Ferrets can be mated wih a vasectomised hob (male ferret) and this will bring them out of season.
If the ferret does come into season and not mated then this can be terminated with an injection.
Given your location it may be difficult to find a good ferret vet so I suggest you start looking now.
Good luck with your furry friends |
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| ismene |
| Thank you for the feedback. I will start looking into books... :) |
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| Tonytcla |
More info, If it is adrenal disease it will not go away. Another sign will be if the ferret starts to lose its fur.
Try the following link for loads of ferret information
http://www.peteducation.com/index.cfm?cls=11
Ferrets do not do well if they are kept in a cage full time, they need to run around and explore their suroundings for a couple of hours each day (at least).
Ferrets need their front nails clipping every couple of weeks or so they are animals that are meant to dig so claws grow continuously.
You need to ferret proof the rooms where the ferret will be loose, they get through very small holes (a 30 mm gap will be no problem to a small ferret). ferrets do not have a homing instinct, if they get out, they get lost.
They will use a litter tray if trained, otherwise you may get little messages left in a chosen corner.
Ferrets bite as a form of play when they are with their fellow kits,ferrets have very thick tough skin and have to be taught that humans have a more delicate skin, Make a loud ouch sound and say no loudly and put the ferret down when it bites, give treats (not sugary treats) when it doesnt bite, they are fast learners.
Regards Tony
My home is ferret proof - my heart is not |
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| Skunx |
The poor little girl, she needs to be spayed as soon as possible if health permits.
that was a heck of a long time to be in season and not good for her at all, I am sorry you did not have the proper advise when you got her, but they are obviously in good hands with you.
Good Luck |
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