so... my fetter has always loved eatting and he has always been fat basically his whole life... just this week he started looking skinner... now today when i gave him and his sister a bath he was extremly skinny. i cant get him to the vet... and i dont have any medicine for ferrets. he looks really bad... im only 15 so i cant drive and knowone is home to take me to get him medicine and by the time they get home the petstore will be closed. what can i do? he doesnt seem to be eatting and i cant get him to drink... he is walking weired (weak) and all he wants to do is lay down. im so upset right now... and i dont get why he is sick because his sister is very healthy and spunky.
if anyone can give me some advice of what to do or what i can give him to make him better please PLEASE let me know!!
:(
2007-02-01 09:28:37 · 9 answers · asked by mj 3 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
also he is only about 3 years i believe
2007-02-01 09:30:08 · update #1
Well I suggest you call the vets office and ask them if it's still open and try and set up an appointment for tommorow morning when your parents are home. They will probably ask you what you have been feeding your ferrets because some foods can be deadly to a ferret. It is also posibble that your ferret swallowed something bad(like plastic..etc.) while you weren't looking. That could make your ferret not want to eat and also cause it to get sick or it could have some type of virus. He definetly needs to go to the vet, but you could also google the question while you wait for your parents. I'm sure lots of people have had this problem so you should be able to find something more about it.
2007-02-01 09:56:51 · answer #1 · answered by Elizabeth 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm sorry to hear about your ferret, but he will really need to see a vet ASAP. Ferrets are EXTREMELY prone to various cancers and tumors, such as insulinomas and adrenal tumors. You can certainly give him a little Ferretone and water by mouth if he has the energy to take it. If he is as weak as you say and a vet visit is out of your budget, I would suggest trying to find a good ferret rescue ASAP, as they can give you lots of info on what to do. This may even include turning him over to the rescue, but at least you can be assured they will seek immediate medical attention.
Ferrets can go downhill in a few hours, esp. if they are not eating, due to their very fast metabolism, so try to get in contact with an emergency vet clinic that sees ferrets or a rescue group who can give you advice on how to nurse him until you can see a vet.
By the way, 3 years old is bordering on middle age/senior for a ferret. Most of our ferret clients didn't make it past their 4th or 5th birthday.
amanda
2007-02-01 10:41:59 · answer #2 · answered by Amanda C 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I know this can be done in emergencies, but I'm not sure if it can be done for a long period of time, but you can try giving your ferret some Gatorade to rehydrate him and replenish electrolytes, nutrients, vitamins, etc.
When you can, make a trip to the pet store to get some Ferretone. Some people use this as a treat for their ferrets, but it also contains vitamins essential to a ferret's diet. A drop of this every now and then couldn't hurt.
If nothing is helping, and he is still lazy, I'm sorry but there's no other choice than to get him to a vet. Long periods of laziness for ferrets is usually a sign of a serious medical condition like adrenal disease(which most ferrets will get at some point) or cardiomyopathy(an enlarged heart). Better safe than sorry. Get that ferret to a vet soon!
Good luck to you and your ferret. I'm wishing for the best.
2007-02-01 09:44:55 · answer #3 · answered by puckfreak02 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get him to a vet ASAP!! Ferrets get dehidrated very very fast. He might have a blockage or any number of other things. If you cannot convay to your parent that your ferret can die if they don't take him to the vet. Well then find a 24 hour emergency vet. The longer you keep your ferret from getting help the less chance he will have to survive!!!!
Oh and if you cannot take him to the vet at all. Then go online and find a ferret rescue in your area. Call them and they will take your ferret and get him the vet care he needs. At least he will have a chance to live.
2007-02-02 08:09:00 · answer #4 · answered by Naru 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to ur local vet and ask him about a product called carnivore for ferrets buy some this will boost their energy and give them a better apatite also u should have a blood test done to rule out any under lined problems they could have good luck the food u r buying is the best
2016-03-29 00:26:51 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Please get him to a vet as soon as you can. I had two ferrets, and weight loss was a sign that something serious was wrong. Also, the fact that your ferret is walking funny may be another sign that something is seriously wrong. If you can, find a vet who can give emergency after-hour services.
2007-02-01 10:48:35 · answer #6 · answered by dazeeonline 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You need to get this baby to a vet, ASAP. Only a vet should tell you what kind of medication and dosage to give, as only a vet is going to be able to dx him. Let your parents know he is extremely ill and needs to be seen by tomorrow. If not, he won't make it.
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2007-02-01 09:36:37 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
check his teeth if they are broken he isn't eating b/c of that.
as for the walking, he hasnt had propre nutrients since he last ate and feels weak without vitamins.
2007-02-01 09:33:42 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Mabey he gets tired of eating.
2007-02-01 09:33:24 · answer #9 · answered by angelsloveslight 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋