Like any other animal, ferrets have certain diseases that they may contract. As a ferret owner, you need to make sure what the most common ones are, how to recognize them in your pet, and what to do for him. Some of the most common ferret diseases are adrenal gland disease, lymphoma, Aleutian disease, and insulinoma.



Adrenal gland disease is a very common problem in ferrets, with the first and often only, symptom being that of hair loss. Over ninety per cent of female ferrets that suffer from the disease develop an enlarged vulva, which may also cause a discharge. Signs of the disease are usually found when the ferret is about three years old. The disease is diagnosed with a special blood test and is usually treated with surgery to remove the affected adrenal gland.

Pancreatic beta cell tumors, or insolinoma disease, are also very common in ferrets. One of the signs is low blood sugar that makes the ferret lethargic and listless. In addition, they may develop depression, rear leg weakness, hypersalivation and gagging or pawing at the mouth. Owners sometimes mistake this disease for geriatric problems since the ferrets develop it when they are abut four or five years old. The disease will not go away, but those ferrets treated surgically tend to live longer than those who are treated only with medication.

Lymphosarcoma is a cancer that is very common in ferrets. It is quite deadly and is best treated when it is diagnosed early. The prognosis is very poor, so it's essential that your pet be diagnosed early. This disease can affect both older and younger ferrets, so it's essential to make sure you monitor your pet's health and know when something doesn't appear right with him.

Heart disease is also very common in older ferrets, much as it is in dogs and cats. The vet will take blood tests as well as a series of other tests to determine the severity of your pet's heart condition. Sometimes a reduction in exercise is all that is necessary, but the veterinarian will determine this. Medications such as digoxin may also be prescribed. With proper medication and treatment, your ferret can continue to live a long life even with his heart disease.

As a ferret owner, you have to be able to recognize when things are not right with your pet so that you can get him to the vet for diagnosis and treatment. This is especially true of cancers that may develop quickly and have no cure in later stages. Just like in humans, cancer is best treated when in the very early stages. Stay informed about common ferret diseases and how to recognize when your ferret is not his usual self.