For the past like month or two, my ferret has been occasionally, i guess, coughing. At first it was maybe a few very minor coughs maybe two or three times every other week. Now, the coughing fits he's having are pretty bad, and last anywhere from 30 seconds to 1 min or so. I'm really worried about him, but I need to know if I should take him to the vet because I'm pretty short on money right now. He's also a Marshall Farms ferret, and I know those ferrets tend to have health issues. Another thing that has me concerned is he's become very mellow. He's only 9 months old, and should still be just as hyper as he was a month ago. He eats fine, for the most part, and always has water and a clean litter box (i try to keep up with it...my kitten decided she's going to use it now too x_x). He has freerange of a small "playroom" for the pets, nothing really that he could eat and harm himself with, so I'm very concerned, but also tight on money as well...WHAT SHOULD I DO??? HELP ME!?
2006-11-13 06:08:32 · 8 answers · asked by WiLlOw w 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Ferrets..... gotta LOVE the little buggers.... lol
Yes, I would reccomend taking him to the vet. I've had now three ferrets who seemed to die from the same thing, possibly a virus. One of them had cough fits, (among other things) and within a week, had died in my arms. 2 out of 3 had lost usage of their back legs, and before I could get up the money to take them to the vet, they passed away.
Just a thought, you may need to let the kitten have her own box. Cats have feces that pregnant women can't be around, and maybe there's something in the feces that may be causing the ferret to get sick. I've recently found out also, that you have to be picky what you feed ferrets. Hell, mine all loved cereal, peanut butter, or even bananas for treats, and I was told by the vet it's a bad idea. Kind of like a person who's had a gastric bypass, they say to eat the proteins FIRST, to get the nutrients they need. If you're feeding the ferret cat food, you also have to be picky about what kind. The one mine all seemed to do good with was purina one with samon (and something... been a couple years - sorry!) They now have the purina naturals which would be good, of not better, for them. Vets may also tell you that you're not supposed to feed ferrets cat food, but as long as they do not have the runs, and get the specific nutrients they need, then it is ok to feed them cat food. The breeder I got my first ferret from relied on cat foot for his 100-some ferrets.
Please try to scrounge up enough to take the little guy to the vet. Take care of him, before he ends up having major problems or dies. I hope this helps.
2006-11-13 06:34:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has anyone in your home been sick?? Ferrets can get colds or flus from us. It is suggested that you do take him to a vet...with money issues you might also be able to call a ferret shelter that could offer some advice. Our ferret mellowed out at about 6 months.....Sometimes they do this due to lack of interaction with other ferrets and or humans interacting as a ferret. I would also be leary of the kitten using the same litterbox....Also do any of the pets go outside unattended?? They could have picked up something...ferrets are very subseptable.
Good luck
2006-11-13 14:19:58 · answer #2 · answered by kcl_andersen 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ferrets are very prone to upper-respiratory diseases. I have a Marshall Farms ferret, as well, and she coughs every now and then. I monitor it, but it's not very often. Make sure the litter you are using is designed for ferrets, and not for cats. Cat litter has a large amount of dust that can get into their lungs and cause problems. The fits you described seem pretty violent, so I would definitely get him to a vet, and quick. I'd hate for you to lose your little buddy. I love my ferret and would hate to have anything happen to her! GOOD LUCK!
2006-11-13 16:05:55 · answer #3 · answered by burnttea06 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take him to the vet. It may be nothing but then again it could be serious. I had a ferret that started coughing and he got real mellow so I took him to the vet and it turned out he had cancer. It is worth taking an animal to the vet be sure what is going on. Good Luck!
2006-11-13 14:23:59 · answer #4 · answered by Curious 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get him to the vet or emergancy clinic NOW. it could be a number of things. and don't let the cat use the box make sure you are usng a ferret litter NO CLAY OR CLUMPING LITTER i use marshalls litter or yesterdays news brands. i also have a cat that uses the ferret box(the one i leave outside the cage she likes it better than her litter). but i clean it before they get near the box. ferret illnes progresses quickly and it could have been sick even longer and you not noticed so get to the vet.
2006-11-13 17:27:23 · answer #5 · answered by Lisa M 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes take him to the vet, my ferret started coughing and then turned yellow, his skin turned yellow because his liver was failing and it died, thats what the vet said, so i suggest you take it to the vet before he turns yellow and dies.
2006-11-13 14:10:50 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know
2006-11-13 15:20:59 · answer #7 · answered by mickeymousedude 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
vet.now!!!!!!!!!!1
2006-11-13 14:14:03 · answer #8 · answered by Rose Wallace Goldaline 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋