whats wrong with my ferret ?

Question

He seems very tired, i see him laying down anywhere. Hes also breathing really fast or something.

Answer 1

First let me start by saying a vet visit would be in order when ever an animal displays different or odd behavior that is not normal to that animal.

Next, my question is, 'How old is your ferret'? If your ferret is over 4 years old there are several possibilities. Does he seem heavy/bloated looking? I have had several ferrets over the years that have had 'Cardiomyopathy', enlargement of the heart which leads to congestive heart failure. Symptoms are the ferret generally tires very easily and has rapid breathing and can also cough, but not always. Ferrets with Cardio retain fluids in their abdomen and lungs. Generally treatment consists of medications such as Enacard and Lasix. Your vet can listen to your ferrets heart to see if it sounds clear or there are fluids. A chest x-ray is also advisable, as this will show enlargement of the heart.

It is also possible your ferret may have 'Insulinoma'. I have also had several insulinomic ferrets over the years. Insulinomas are islet cell tumors on the pancreas which causes the ferret’s glucose (blood sugar) to drop to dangerously low levels. Treatment can be surgery or the use of prednisone, I've been down both routes and personally see better results using prednisone, but this is something that you and your vet would need to decide. A simple serum glucose test from your vet will answer this question. Normal glucose runs between 70-120 on ferrets with anything below 70 possibly pointing towards insulinoma. Symptoms can vary from ferret to ferret with insulinoma. Beginning symptoms are/can be the ferret being more lethargic, more tired & weight loss or 'dazed looking'. If left untreated it can lead to more severe problems such as seizers, coma and eventually death.

Here is a wonderful website that addresses many ferret illnesses and disease.
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/

I have listed only a couple of posibilites, lymphoma can also cause similar symptoms. See a vet to be on the safe side, make sure they are familiar with ferrets and their illnesses. Remember it is always better safe than sorry.

Hopefully it's nothing more than a ferret that’s just doing the 'flop ferret' thing that they are so notoriously known for doing!

Edited to add:
Ferrets do 'not' tolerate heat. Temperatures over 80 degrees can put them into heat exhaustion. If your home is very warm this can also be the problem. A must read:
http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Heatstroke.htm

Best wishes and please keep us all posted!

Answer 2

Okay, first. Ferrets should never EVER go into a ball, its just silly and also they dont need it. Its not better then them being in their cage - no, its worse because its a much smaller area to be contained in. Ferrets need to PLAY, which they cant do when trapped in a ball. Ferrets do not vomit naturally, so if your ferret is throwing up.... she needs a vet. NOW. Ferrets NEED to eat and drink on a regular basis, their metabolisms are too high not to. She needs a vet.

Answer 3

WOW, you got a lot of diagnoses here. Very heavy stuff. Don't let that scare you too badly yet.
Your best bet is to take him to a vet who treats ferrets.
This could be something really minor like your ferret just slowing down from age(you never said how old it was) or a respiratory infection to something really complicated and scary. So please, do not jump to conclusions, do not trust any online diagnosis you get here(especially not here!) and take your ferret to be seen.
I hope everything is alright and you get to enjoy your little fert for years to come.

Just FYI: running a fan for a ferret in a hot climate does absolutely no good what so ever since ferrets are furry and do not sweat. The cooling effect we experience from a fan is partly the fan displacing air right above our skin (heated by our bodies) with slightly cooler room air AND most of all evaporation of sweat. Ferrets do not get those benefits. To cool a HOT ferret wrap frozen water bottles in dish towels and lay them in the bottom of their cage(watch for chewing) or better yet get slabs of stone (slate, marble, several so you can keep changing them) and keep them in the fridge. Put them in the bottom of the cage(with a towel or a t-shirt over it) for your ferret to lay on. I actually got a few pieces of marble at a home improvement store who was throwing them away in their dumpster since they were busted pieces of countertop material. Just a thought that crossed my mind when I saw the answer about blowing box fans at ferrets cages. Good luck.

Are you sure he's not just "speed-bumping"? Ferrets do that.
Here's the normal vital signs for ferrets too:
Rectal temperature 100-103 F (37.8 - 39.4 C), 101.9 average.
Heart rate 120 beats/min (calm), 250 beats/min (stressed).
Respiration 33-36/min.
So you can see that their respirations are about twice that of a human normally anyhow.

Answer 4

"Many domestic ferrets are known to suffer from several distinct health problems. Among the most common are cancers affecting the adrenal glands, pancreas, and lymphatic system. Certain breeds may also have a genetic defect known as Waardenburg syndrome.
Most ferrets will ultimately contract a life-threatening illness. It is uncommon for the domestic ferret to die from old age. Early detection and treatment of illnesses is the key to ensuring that ferrets live long and fun-filled lives." I agree with the rest of the crew....take him to the vet.

Answer 5

Maybe he is tired? My ferret does the same thing, so I'm going to watch you're question. Hope you don't mind.

Answer 6

You need to take him/her to the vet right away. Ferrets are prone to bad diseases and it's not worth ignoring any weird habits they might be having.

Answer 7

my roommates ferret does the same thing.You're ferret is probably overheated.Try running a box fan or something towards the cage.

Answer 8

I would take him to the ferret doctor

Answer 9

Ferrets are very prone to insulinomas--tumors on their pancreas that cause their blood glucose levels to drop dangerously low. This is just one possibility of many. Please go to a knowledgeable and experienced ferret vet asap.

Answer 10

Go to the vet because usually ferrets are very hipper. :)