Ferret

This article is about the mammal. For the military vehicle, see Ferret armoured car, for the band see Ferocious Ferrets.

Ferret biology

Like many other carnivores, ferrets have scent sacs near their anus. Secretions from these are used in scent marking. It has been shown that ferrets can identify whether such a mark was left by a male or a female ferret, without recognising the individual.

Related Topics:
Anus - Scent marking

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Many domestic ferrets in the United States are known to suffer from several distinct health problems. Among the most common are cancers affecting the adrenal glands, pancreas, and lymphatic system.

Related Topics:
Cancer - Adrenal glands - Pancreas - Lymphatic system

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Adrenal disease, a growth of the adrenal glands that can be either hyperplasia or cancer, is most often diagnosed by symptoms such as unusual hair loss, increased aggression and, in the case of females, an enlarged vulva. Even if the growth is benign it can still cause a hormone imbalance which can have devastating effects on the ferret's health. In males it can cause life-threatening prostate problems. Treatment options include surgery to excise the affected glands, steroids and/or hormone therapy. The cause of adrenal disease is unknown, but some speculate that the unnatural light cycles domestic ferrets are exposed to in the homes of their owners cause or contribute to the growth of such tumors. Others have suggested that the problem is hereditary, and it has also been highly speculated that adrenal disease may originate from early neutering, which typically occurs before six weeks of age.

Related Topics:
Hyperplasia - Vulva - Steroids - Hereditary

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Ferrets are also known to suffer from insulinoma, a cancer of the pancreas. The growth of cancerous nodules on the lobes of the pancreas sometimes, but not always, leads to an increase in the production of insulin, which regulates the rate at which the ferret's body metabolizes blood glucose. Too much insulin will cause blood sugar to drop, resulting in lethargy, seizures, and ultimately death. Symptoms of insulinoma include episodes of lethargy, drooling, pawing and/or foaming at the mouth, staring "blankly" into space and seizures. A ferret in such condition should be taken immediately to a veterinarian for treatment. If a vet is not available within a reasonable time, the ferret may be brought out of its stupor by the application of corn syrup or honey to its gums. This will cause a brief rise in blood glucose levels, after which it will be necessary to feed the ferret its normal food and transported to the vet for further treatment. It is not appropriate to give a ferret corn syrup or honey at any other time, even if it has never exhibited symptoms of insulinoma.

Related Topics:
Insulinoma - Insulin - Glucose - Lethargy - Seizures - Death - Veterinarian - Corn syrup - Honey

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Treatment for insulinoma may include surgical excision of the cancerous lobes, pharmaceutical treatment with steroids that suppress the production of insulin, supplemental changes in diet (most often poultry-based baby food), or a combination. Unfortunately, ultimately the growth of the tumors cannot be stopped and the ferret will eventually suffer a reoccurrence of symptoms.

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Like adrenal cancer, the cause of insulinoma is unknown. It is speculated that the diets of domestic ferrets are too-far removed from the natural diets of their polecat ancestors and include too much sugar and/or too many simple carbohydrates.

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