we homed a stray albino "jill" back in September and we estimated her age as around 6 months as her teeth were still white and she was very small, when we went tro collect her "hob" friend last month we were shocked at the difference. She weighs in at around 630g and the guy we got the other one from thought she was more like 18 months and into her 2nd season, he felt she had already been spayed as she had no yellowing to her fur. She is less playfull than the boy and sleeps far more. Anyone with any ideas on ageing ferrets???
2007-01-08 06:56:14 · 8 answers · asked by isleofskye 5 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
A ferret is considered “late middle aged” at 4 to 5 years. A ferret is elderly at 6 years of age. An animal that reaches 8 - 9 years old is quite old. Even many vets are unsure how to age a ferret.
Experts determine a ferret’s age by looking carefully at their two long, upper canine teeth. (You’ll need to scruff them to get a good look.) A ferret under 1 year has bright, solid white canine teeth. At 1.5 to 2.5 years, you will start to see the tip of the tooth beginning to become a little yellowed, and almost translucent. At 3 - 4 that translucency will be more pronounced and continue farther up the tooth. By 6 years old the tooth may be distinctly yellowed all the way to the gum, and you may begin to see that some of the small teeth in their bottom jaw are missing. If you can, compare your ferret’s teeth to another ferret of whose age you are sure, and you will see the differences.
2007-01-08 07:16:41 · answer #1 · answered by dave a 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hello. I do not know exactly how to age ferrets, however a vet could tell you.
Now getting her to a vet may be a very good idea. If the previous owner only thinks she has been spayed, you really should find out for sure. Jills who are not spayed and are not bread every time they go into heat can get a form of cancer. This will kill them quick.
Now as for size, I have seen a 6 month old neutered male that was three times the size of a 9 year old neutered male. Also, I have three females, all different sizes. One is average size where another looks like she could still be a kit. The smaller one is almost two years old.
White teeth is a good sign. I do know that that usually means they are still young. Does she still have any of her baby teeth? If she does, then I would guess that she is closer to 6 mo. rather then 18 mo.
Anyways, a vet trip might be a good idea and you can find out all this info. there.
2007-01-08 17:17:15 · answer #2 · answered by idgerow 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I comprehend the age of animals can each and every so often be desperate by potential of analyzing their enamel, yet you will possibly better than in all hazard could desire to take it to a pair form of ferret expert for that. you're bathing it some distance too oftentimes. provide it a tub as quickly as each and each month or 2, or while it rather is rather grimy. As for the fleas, that probable has much less to do with how generally you bath her and extra to do with what form of flea-administration measures you're taking. Are you employing a specifically formulated ferret shampoo? Your terrific wager may be to ask a veterinarian for something to do away with the fleas.
2016-11-27 20:19:58 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
we had a ferret for 11 years and she was very lazy.As for telling you her age im sorry but i cant help you there she will come into season around February just keep an eye out for swelling around her back end.
2007-01-08 09:02:34 · answer #4 · answered by Dooby 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
cut in half and count the rings just kidding if she sleeps a lot I would guess she is between 4 and 6 months
2007-01-08 07:08:06 · answer #5 · answered by zach o 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Next time it has a birthday, just count the number of candles on it's cake!
2007-01-08 07:00:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
she's only 6 months because if their older they'll be more active.
2007-01-08 07:20:02 · answer #7 · answered by kenna d 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
perform an autopsy
2007-01-08 07:03:18 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋