What diseases can ferrets spread to rats, and vise versa?

Question

I'm getting 2 ferrets, but I cant bring them to a vet before I take them home, so I dont know if they are sick and what they might have. Are there any diseases they can give my rats, and what would they be? Are there any diseases my rats can give them?

Answer 1

I asked this question of the experts on the rat forums and obtained the advice of ferret-owning friends.

So far the majority of answers on my forums express concern about the predator/prey issue, but I trust that you never had any intentions in the first place of expecting your ferrets and rats to live together.
Definitely quarantine your ferrets away from the rats.
One person mentioned rabies, but I already know that rats are terminal vectors for rabies. This means, if a rabid animal bit a rat, the rat would be dead and not pass it's infection onto any other animal.
Rats do not catch colds from anything, or anyone. Each mammal has it's own form of Mycoplasmosis so ferrets cannot pass their Myco onto rats and vice versa.
Ecto-parasites like mites and fleas can be passd back and forth.

Carole, a ferret rescuer says, " I am a ferret rescue and rat lover. You won't have to worry about any diseases between the two. Ferrets can catch things from people such as respiratory infections, intestinal viruses and the flu. They can get canine distemper and Aleutians disease, which can't be passed to the rat. Make sure the ferrets get their distemper vaccines each year. A fatal disease and is airborne, so the ferrets don't need to come in contact with a diseased animal to get it."

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Don't be fooled into thinking that pet stores always sell healthy animals. Over and over again I've heard stories about people unknowingly buying sick animals from pet stores.

I think your immediate concern would be the predatory instinct of the ferrets and the safety of your rats. The ferrets would kill the rats in a confrontation. They shouldn't be housed in the same room together. Close proximity would be very stressful for both animals. Stress brings on illness, especially in rats.

No, your ferrets cannot pass on a viral infection like a cold or flu to your rats. Each species also has it's specific Mycoplasmosis so neither the ferrets nor the rats can pass this respiratory disease on to each other.

This is all I can find for you at this time.

Sandra Beasley and the Spaz Rats
(Rattery, Rescue, and Rat-care Expert)
http://spazrats.tripod.com
"my life has gone to the rats"

Answer 2

Unless your 2 ferrets are going to be in close proximity to your rats, I wouldn't worry too much. Besides, if the person or store that you are buying the ferrets from is reputable, then they wouldn't sell you a sick ferret.

Ferrets can catch the same versions of the common cold and flu viruses that we do, and potentially spread them to other animals, like your rats. So, if you get sick, try not to handle your ferrets too much to avoid spreading sickness.

I advise you to have a "quarantine" area to keep your ferrets or rats in if one of them does come down with something. This will also prevent the spread of illness among your pets.

Finally, if you still have doubts, or just want to be safe, you can take the ferrets to a vet for a check-up after you purchase them. Make sure the vet is one that sees exotic animals and is familiar with ferrets.

For more information, I recommend "Ferrets for Dummies." It's practically a ferret bible, and has everything you need to know about owning and caring for your ferrets.

I hope I was helpful, and best of luck to you and your pets.

Answer 3

bubonic plauge?

Answer 4

Crotch Rash......