The domestic ferret (scientific name: Mustela putorius furo): average weight of 0.3-2.7 kg; average body length of 33-41 cm, average tail length of 7.6-10 cm; lifespan is 7-10 years. It has a slender body and short legs, with a flat and triangular head shape. The fur color is wild or albino. White ferrets have a snow-white body, a fluffy tail, and a black tip on the tail. Other types have brown, black, white, or mixed fur throughout their bodies.
The natural habitat of wild ferrets is forests and semi-forests near water sources. They prefer to live in coniferous and broad-leaved mixed forests and subarctic coniferous forests at altitudes of 800-1600 meters. They are highly destructive, especially in hunting poultry; while domestic ferrets are usually kept as pets or used to drive out mice and rabbits in caves.
The history of domesticating pet ferrets is unknown, but it is likely to have begun 2500 years ago, tracing back to the native species of ferrets in Ancient Egypt before the AD era. In contemporary times, some regions still use European ferrets to hunt rabbits, but domestic ferrets that have been tamed as pets are no longer suitable for wild living.
The term "ferret" often misleads people into thinking that pet ferrets are completely white, but in fact, all-white pet ferrets are very rare. Pure white wild ferrets are extremely rare and are currently only found in the northern part of the Daxing'an Mountains. Wild ferrets are listed as national key protected animals.
Ear mite infestation:
Cause: Caused by mites, young ferrets are prone to it.
Symptoms: Black secretion attached deep in the ears, scratching of the ears and body due to itching, and symptoms such as occlusion of the ear canal or ear hematoma.
Treatment: Treatment with mite-repellent agents, transmission through co-feeding, other ferrets should also be checked.
Prevention: Maintain a clean rearing environment.
Canine distemper:
Cause: Infection with the same virus as dogs, "canine distemper virus", with a 100% fatality rate. It is transmitted through secretions such as eye discharge and nasal mucus and excreta.
Symptoms: The incubation period is about 7-10 days. Initially, the lower jaw, lips, and area around the eyes become red and swollen. The swollen parts gradually become hardened, and the fleshy toes also become hardened. The skin around the anus and the inner side of the thighs becomes red and swollen. Then, symptoms of eye discharge and runny nose accompanied by conjunctivitis appear, and high fever of over 40 degrees may even occur.
When the symptoms worsen to the terminal stage, the virus starts to invade the nervous system, causing symptoms such as convulsions, torticollis, bronchitis, pneumonia, all-over weakness.
Treatment: No treatment method. Only by using antibiotics or intravenous drips can life be prolonged.
Prevention: Be sure to vaccinate against canine distemper.
Gastric ulcer or duodenal ulcer:
Cause: caused by stress or Helicobacter pylori infection.
Symptoms: Symptoms include decreased appetite, soft stools, vomiting, teeth grinding, and weight loss. When the ulcer is severe, it can cause massive bleeding or hemorrhagic shock.
Treatment: Antibiotics or gastrointestinal mucosal protective agents, etc.
Prevention: Avoid unhygienic environments or co-rearing in confined spaces, and be aware that cohabitating with new small animals in the same room can cause stress.
Viral enteritis:
Cause: Infection by feces, caused by small viruses.
Symptoms: Green sticky diarrhea. Although normal ferrets may also excrete such feces, sick ferrets will have decreased appetite, dehydration, and complete inability to eat, gradually weakening their bodies.
Treatment: Antibiotics or gastrointestinal mucosal protective agents. Use intravenous or fluid replacement methods to replenish water and nutrients.
Prevention: No prevention methods. Maintain the cleanliness of the litter box when co-rearing.
Influenza:
Cause: Human influenza can be transmitted to ferrets.
Symptoms: Symptoms include eye discharge, runny nose, sneezing, fever, and diarrhea.
Treatment: Adult ferrets will naturally recover within 1-2 weeks, and they should be given food and water that can stimulate appetite. Symptoms in young ferrets may be more severe, so seek medical attention immediately.
Prevention: Owners should avoid getting the flu, and if they have the flu, try to stay away from ferrets.
Canine heartworm disease:
Cause: Mosquitoes are the vectors.
Symptoms: Symptoms include difficulty breathing, ascites, coughing, etc. If parasites invade the heart, sudden death may occur.
Treatment: Difficult to treat after infection.
Prevention: Administer heartworm prevention medicine once a month.
Excess estrogen syndrome:
Cause: Female ferrets will continue to be in heat without ovulation, leading to prolonged estrus cycles.
Symptoms: During heat, estrogen will reduce the function of the bone marrow, leading to reduction in white blood cells, platelets, and anemia. When worsens, it can cause bleeding, bacterial infections, and hair loss.
Treatment: Ovarian or uterine removal.
Prevention: If there is no plan to breed, sterilization can be performed.
1. Ferrets should be fed with appropriate feed
Plant-based feed should account for 20%-25% of their daily food intake. Among them, cereal seeds should be crushed and steamed at high temperature before feeding; vegetables should be washed, chopped, and mixed in with the feed for raw feeding.
2. Weaning ferrets should be done at the right time
Ferrets can be weaned at 40-45 days after birth. If all the ferrets in the litter develop evenly, separate them once and feed two ferrets of the same size, gender, and physique in the same cage. After one week of feeding, separate them into individual cages to prevent food competition, fighting, and the spread of diseases. If the mother ferret is weak or unable to produce enough milk, she can be removed, and the young ferrets can stay in the original cage for feeding. After 3-5 days, separate them into cages according to the above method; for ferrets with uneven development and frequently fighting or food competition, weaning should be done in batches based on their size and feeding ability. Wean the well-developed and larger ferrets first, and keep the ones with poor development in the mother ferret's cage for continued feeding. Wean them anytime according to their growth and development.
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