What do you do for a ferret with a cold?

Question

My ferret is kinda weezing, and sneezing like he has a little mucus like a cold... Is there anyting I can give him to clear it up without rushing to the vet?

Well, he isn't sneezing anymore and I don't hear any weezing, but I did have to wipe his eyes off this morning. So far no activities have changed and eating is the same (he's a pig). Thanks for the great info. I always learn something new from you --huh?--- !!! know that I think about it we went out of town and the last day on the way back I was sick and he was in the car with me on the way home. I didn't realize we could catch each other's colds. So keep an eye on him for now until he starts to act "not normal"? Thanks you so much!!!

Answer 1

Real colds are caused by the cold VIRUS and antibiotics are used to treat BACTERIAL infections. They are virtually useless in viral diseases and only indicated should a secondary bacterial infection occur. If the ferret has a discharge from the nose or eyes that is discolored, greenish or yellow or brownish, that's what's happened and it's time for the vet.
Watch your ferret closely. Is he eating and drinking enough? Is he urinating and defecating as usual? How about his activity level? If all those things are normal don't do a thing, unless the ferret has other compromising conditions like insulinoma or adrenal disease.
Your ferret will most likely get over it without intervention from you, as long as it doesn't get so stuffed up that it cannot smell at all anymore. It will most likely stop eating at that poing and then you have big trouble. I would never let a ferret go longer than 1/2 of a day without eating. They're blood sugar levels are just too delicate, they could drop so low that the fert will end up having seizures, so watch their intake and output.
You can put a humidifier in the room near the cage. Cover the cage with a big towel to drap some of the humidity in the cage. This will help your ferret breathe better. I don't ever add menthol or Vicks because ferrets respiratory systems are a bit touchy and it may be irritating. Do not let the ferret run around in the room with the humidifier without putting the humidifier way out of reach first to avoid accidental steam burns if it is not a cold steam humidifier.
Ferrets CAN take Pediatric Benadryl, but in order to get the right doseage you'd have to know it's weight, so you'd have to at least call the doctor.
Feed your ferret it's favorite foods, mine love chicken or turkey baby food(stage2 with gravy) and drizzle some FerreTone on it.
My oldest female Vicky took almost two weeks to get completely over the cold. She sneezed a lot, but was fine otherwise. I had her seen by the vet because it just happened to be time for checkups and shots anyway and he also told me to just keep a good eye on her.
Oh, btw, don't let your ferret sneeze on you(just like you shouldn't sneeze on a ferret). You can catch the cold and/or flu from your ferret. He can catch it from you as well.
Good luck with your fert. Hope he gets to feeling better.

Answer 2

A Ferret's respiratory and digestive system is extremely delicate and doesn't take much for a Ferret to get into serious trouble, sick and die so....Take your Ferret to the vet and start those antibiotics. It sounds like a respiratory illness but pneumonia could set in over night and kill it. Good Luck to you and your Fuzzy

Answer 3

in accordance to the "Ferrets for Dummies" e book by Kim Schilling, no they can't catch the person-friendly chilly. they are able to, although, catch the flu, bacterial sinus infections, and bigger-respiratory infections, all of which mimic chilly-like indications. the two way, once you're ill, it particularly is excellent to bathe your hands until eventually now handling them and take a verify out to no longer sneeze or hack throughout them. And in the event that they do catch the flu, then confident, somewhat TLC is often all it particularly is mandatory to restoration the bushy. extreme circumstances require help from a vet.

Answer 4

Hi-the weezing part has me bothered. It could be a simple cold, but it could also be signs of Cardiomyopathy. I know it's expensive, but take him/her to the vet and let them make a diagnosis. It's the best way really.

Answer 5

YOU BETTER TAKE IT T A VET! A SIMPLE HUMAN COLD CAN KILL YOUR FERRET! WHEN YOU ARE SICK DO NOT GO NEAR OR FEED YOUR FERRET, HAVE SOMEONE ELSE DO IT! IF YO HAVE NO ONE TO DO IT, PUT A BANDANA OR TOWEL OVER YOUR FACE & WASH YOUR HANDS & ARMS VERY GOOD, THEN TAKE CARE OF THEM!

Answer 6

If you are serious you will take it to the vet. It could be anything.