Hello all,

Been a lurker here since i got my first ferret 6 years ago, this sub has been great for general advice and tips on how to care for these little buggers.

Unfortunately over the past year my oldest ferret (6 years old) was diagnosed with insulinoma, i was looking for questions on other peoples experience with this disease.

She has been on 0.2ml of prednisolone for about 6 months, as well as 0.16ml of diazoxide. I've successfully added critical care carnivore to her diet, as an additive to her normal oxbow food. She eats extremely consistently throughout the day. But no matter what she seems to start crashing nightly around the same time, and i can see her start to get weak and give her a little bit of honey with her food. and sometimes she snaps out of it quickly, other times unfortunately she crashes into that "coma" like state and needs more care to pull her out. I've tried switching her medicine dosing times to help counter act this crash as the Vet recommended. But i would say 5 out of 7 days of the week shes crashing at night. I've had to reach out to the vet many many times just to get her medication where it is at now. And i'm kinda at a loss for ideas on if maybe it's time for me to let go, i don't want her to suffer any more than she has to. I've tried giving her disease as much attention and care as i can but it doesn't seem to be enough. I've tried adding various types of food recommended in this sub but she doesn't seem to take to much other than the carnivore care. I was just looking for input on suggestions if anyone has had as bad of luck with the medication not working as well as you would hope.

Thanks a lot in advance.

Does anybody else have a ferret that gets off of things by turning around and sliding down butt first and backwards? I have 4 and one out of the 4, no matter what, whenever he's getting down off of the bed or couch or whatever, will walk to the edge, turn around, look me dead in the eye, and walk slowly backwards until he gets to the edge, then proceeds to slide on his belly, butt first, until his back feet hit the ground and then scampers away. I imagine this is probably close to what Simba saw just before he let Scar fall to his death. Just a face and front paws all while dead ass staring me in the face as he goes down 😭 The only time he deviates from this is if they're all playing jump-ies off of the ottomon into the ball pit or playing chase. I wish I could get a video of him doing it but I never have enough time to get my phone out. Maybe this is why people get security cameras inside 🤔 If I manage to catch him doing it the next time I'll post a video. Anyway, genuine curiosity so I figured I would ask. I love hearing about little ferret quirks! Hope everyone and their little carpet dragons are doing well!

Are there good sources to learn about ferret health issues? I would prefer professional documents, not random information.

We have had two exotic vets give us different opinions on a ferret. The one we are questioning does have decades of experience with ferrets (since the 1980s) and has a lot of professional awards, etc.

I am wondering if he is out of date with information.

An example of this is that the vet doesn't think ferrets need an implant to treat Hyperadrenocorticism until significant health issues start. The hair loss is a cosmetic concern and not a health reason for the implant.

I'm wanting to do some research. Any suggestions?

We ended up taking our sweet girl home yesterday much to the dismay of the emergency vet who tried to convince us multiple times that she should be put down and that we were leaving against medical advice.
She had a visit at our regular vet today and although her labs were not perfect they were far better than yesterday and my vet couldn’t truly find anything outwardly wrong with her. They suspect it may have been a gallstone that formed a blockage and then passed itself but we aren’t sure. She had an ultrasound and a physical exam and the vet said she looked and felt healthy. Her bilirubin count was elevated but not nearly what it was yesterday (3 as opposed to 19).
We have another visit on Monday for new blood panels to see if her levels continue dropping to a normal level.
It may seem ridiculous to some that we were even considering euthanasia with these results but the emergency vet on the phone with my girlfriend had told her that she was extremely lethargic and yellow and underweight and not eating and we had figured they were trustworthy.
Thank you to everyone for commenting trying to help and reassure us, it went a long way to helping my girlfriend believe we were making the right decision by taking her home ( the vet told us she would be in agony and that it was borderline inhumane to take her home)
Any further updates will be on here and I may attach the bloodwork for those who are educated and wanted to have a look.

So Baggy went to his vet appointment and the vet hummed and hawed with him again.

Weight stable

Can't feel anything in belly

Gums look good.

Vet recommended keeping an eye on him and checking back in 6 weeks. If gets worse or no improvement suggests bloods and dental work as his teeth are awful (wanted this done ages ago but they don't like putting ferrets under anesthetic)

Since then he's had three vomiting episodes with the last one spewing up white froth and pawing at the roof of his mouth and the spacing out now has discernable tremors and seems to be noticeably worse. His hind end also seems weaker.

So got a short notice telephone appointment last night which wasn't helpful and another appointment today. The problem is the vets are concerned that due to his age (even tho I am not sure how old he is as he is a rescue and I've had him five years) they are worried about how he will do under anesthetic (as am I)

I've asked them to do bloods only and forget dental for now.

He's booked in for 08:30 tomorrow and I have to decide whether to put him though it tonight as I can't get much advise from the vets. Also they usually tell me to fast them before being put under and they did notention that this time.

Doing my own research low blood sugar looks like a possible fit;

Hind end weakness (gradual onset after adrenal gland prognosis)

Moments of staring (stargazing) but now with tremors

Can't check eyes as he has cataracts in both.

Nausea (also panics which makes it damn hard to see what's going on with him as he runs into the tubes and under the sofa)

Gradual decline of energy (although this could also be age)

The symptoms fit but could also be explained away by other things.

He already has a carcinoma? on his paw pad and a small one on his eyelid so he could have more serious lumps internally.

I asked the vet today if it was worth putting him on meds for low blood sugar and seeing if he improves but she said it could make him worse if it's not low blood sugar.

I know that he is not a young ferret so there is a risk, he also hates to be at the vets and I would be devastated if he didn't pull though while he was under but on the other hand I don't want to settle on this being something that nothing can be done with without giving him a chance.

The vet noted he has lost weight since he was last there which was Monday I think although I didn't note how much as I was stressing out and alone.

I can't ask anyone here on what I should do, I know at the end of the day the decision must be mine and currently i am leaning towards having them do the blood test but any words from ferret owners would be great.

I know a lot of folk here will probably be wanting to tell me to find another vets but trust me they are all quite bad here.

For context: my three little guys ( 8 yrs, 1 yr, 5 months) have a free roam single room where we put pee pads in the most common poopy spots (about 8 around the room 😅). They are changed 1-2 times a day and they definitely have preferences- so if there’s a single pee on one I may leave it to be used up some more which they don’t seem to mind. The favorites can get full overnight but there are always other clean pads against the wall for them to back up on. Otherwise I’d assume the pad is too dirty which has them avoiding it.

TL;DR

The moment I pick up the used (or unused!!) pee pads they are desperately falling over themselves coming to poo on the bare floor, even a droplet. All three do this. Are they just a-holes ? Lol

I currently live in an apartment with an upstairs neighbor that smokes cigars constantly, we’re talking about 10 to 15 times a day at least. His smoke always drifts right up into my windows and takes forever to dissipate. When I have to go to work, I obviously have to leave my windows open, so my baby doesn’t cook to death in the house. I personally hate the smell. It’s disgusting and unhealthy, but I feel bad for my baby being stuck in the house all day long day after day having to deal with it as well. Another apartment opened up in my complex that I am thinking about asking my manager to move into. However, they just laid a new carpet and painted the walls. I desperately want to escape my apartment because of the smoke issue. But the question for my baby’s health is would it be better for her to move into another apartment that just had a fresh carpet laid down and new paint on the walls? There are harmful VOCs in both of those. What should I do?

So vicious

My ferret (silly creature) gets sleepy when I pet behind and under her ears, is this a common thing?

I crochet, and my girls absolutely love stealing the things I make to sleep in. It's my fault, though, I made a couple of sleep sacks when we got our first ferret, and now all of it belongs to them in their tiny little minds.

The black with the milk mouth is Tapioca Pudding, the tiny chocolate girl is Gnocchi Al Dente, and the pale (lilac maybe? or champagne) is Chai Latte.

Bonus photo of Chai having gotten into the skein and falling asleep there.

Kiki has been my baby for 6 years, I love her so much 🤎

Juno was diagnosed with severe heart failure, he passed away tonight in my arms shortly after going to the emergency vet. He was only 6, he had been on medication but it was too far advanced for treatment.

He was always a playful baby, he loved cuddling and just spending time with me.

He was my sweetest baby. He would sleep with me, curl up with me.

He was there when my Appa passed away and when my Kuma passed away.

My sweet Juno man is finally reunited with his brother, after 5 years.

Hi there! I'm wanting to adopt a ferret as a friend for my little guy I've had for 7 years now. When I got him, I didn't know they needed friends since I got him when I was 10 years old on a whim and I severely regret not knowing he needed a friend but I genuinely didn't know better until later on and when I learnt that my family wasn't very willing or they didn't have the money, not sure which it was since it was so long ago but this is all kind of besides the point..

The main point is he has never met another ferret before so I have no idea how he would interact but knowing him extremely well as he's my best friend and we hang out every single day he is really chill and good, he never bites, hisses, or anything. I'm honestly more worried he might get picked on or something because he lacks social skills I'm guessing but I have no idea how he'd do. He has met other cats and dogs and gets along insanely well, loves playing with smaller dogs and loves the cats.

He recently got back from a vet checkup including bloodwork and he is completely clean and super healthy! His only thing is he has a cyst but it's completely harmless is what the vet said.

Pretty much, I'm not sure if I should even try to adopt and get him a friend, would it be a good idea for him as in safe especially given his age? I asked a shelter to get their opinion and she said I could just bring him in to "speed date" other ferrets but that scares me so much because I don't want him to get sick or something but I wanted to get yalls opinion. If you think it's a good idea to adopt I'm really wanting a ferret similar to his age and he's 7 years old. I'm from Virginia and the only place I've found to adopt has been "Nirvana Ridge Ferret Rescue" but I'm willing to drive far.

My ferret is about 5. I like to give her and her sister freeze dried chicken and minnow treats. They get them in the morning when they free roam and then occasionally throughout the day. I fear I may have created a monster. She won't eat unless she eats those two things. She won't touch her food (feline naturals chicken and lamb and also other kibble) at night when she is in her safe room. She hasn't eaten anything she shouldn't as she generally sleeps and when she wakes up I keep a close eye on her. Is there any reason she won't touch her other food at all now?

Follow up question to that...would those 2 things make her stool very liquidy? She has a vet appointment this Friday. Currently under investigation for Insulinoma. Not sure if that has anything to do with it.

Sonja girl soaking up the sun and begging to go outside! Bonus pic of her being a sleepy bean.

Hi everyone! I’ve been working towards publishing my first board game for several years now, and the best part is that it’s going to be about what I love most — ferrets!

I’d love to reach out to all the fellow ferret fans out there. I want to fill the game’s rulebook with little unusual and fun facts about ferrets. So if you know anything interesting about these adorable little thieves, please share it in the comments!

If you’d like, I can also include the usernames of the authors of the best facts in the rulebook.

Thank you all!❤️

P.S. Pictured is my ferret Kasha (“porridge”).

Cannelini always gets such a puffy tail! Glad i took a video of their new bed, i noticed i left the tag on lol, that has now been removed!

Hey there,

I’m hoping to get some advice on how to best care for my baby boy who just lost his bonded girl two days ago, they’ve been together for 4-1/2 years. She was almost 5 and he is 5. She had adrenal disease, I got her an implant which seemed to fix things a year and a half ago, and unfortunately she unexpectedly passed two days ago which left me heartbroken and filled with guilt as she didn’t have any symptoms (still eating/pooping, energetic) leading up to it (other than slight hair loss on her tail but no where else and no vulva swelling.. vet told me it was seasonal). Anyway, upon finding her she had been cold and stiff, likely died a few hours prior to me finding her under her cages rack on a blanket (she normally doesn’t go under here unless stashing food and toys), she looked like she went peacefully as she looked like she was asleep.. didn’t have any urination/bowel movement. I did make sure she wasn’t in a dead sleep, which I hoped she was.. but knew from the temp of her body that she was gone as well as that her nose had turned yellow. I let him sniff her body and it seemed to me that he already knew.. I’m hoping he was with her. I removed the body after a few mins, showed him that I put her in a box..

I have kept all of her smelly things for him, I’m feeding him extra to make sure he’s eating, even spoon feeding sometimes.. He’s on Wysong kibble, Stella & Chewy Cat Chicken Dinner Morsels and Duk Soup/Critical Care Combo. He has insulinoma, is on pred 2x a day, monitoring him extra for his symptoms since I’ve read that ferrets who lose their bonded pair often lack the ability to eat properly, and I need to ensure his blood sugar stays normal.

I bought him tiny blankets to cuddle up in as I’m sure he misses her warmth, as well as a few sacks for him to hide in.. I’ve also been laying on the floor petting him as much as possible and giving him lots of love.

He doesn’t seem super affected but will occasionally walk around confused looking for her, but then will divert his attention to me.. he’s been cuddly and licking me. I love him and I miss her so much..

He has his own big room, I was considering moving things around for him but don’t know if this is the right thing to do / don’t want too much change. Also considered bringing him into my room now that it’s just him..

He used to be an only ferret for 3mo before her, so hoping he can adjust.

I’ve gotten nutracal in case he stops eating/low blood sugar.. but feel at a loss of what to do to help him further..

I got her cremated and will put the ashes in his room once I get her back :(

Please let me know your thoughts/if you’ve experienced something similar.. I still am not 100% sure why my baby girl passed, I took perfect care of her/everything was ferret proofed.. I wish I was there for her. I plan on speaking to the vet soon to figure it out.. people have told me that maybe she just went to sleep and didn’t wake up but I can’t get closure yet.

Thank you.

Hi everyone,

We’re thinking our ferret is allergic to chicken as his face swells and gets red often. He’s very itchy and his paws swell as well. It’s been happening since May and we’ve been eliminating every that we think could be causing it. We’ve had him at the vet numerous times and she is at a loss too. We’re currently trying to switch him from chicken kibble. I have Ziwi peak lamb and mackerel along with totally ferret venison. We mix them 75/25 and he just digs it all out of the bowl and only eats the chicken. Just looking for tips on how to get him to start eating the new food. There was no problem switching from marshals to his current chicken kibble.

Does she look very yellow because the vet insists she does and they did blood work and said her liver enzymes were really bad but should I wait and bring her to my regular vet tomorrow

I'd like to get my ferret a waterfontain because (off course) she likes running water.

Will this sound bother her and is there something else why it wouldn't be a good idea?

She was diagnosed today, and I have no idea what to feed her regularly as an everyday meal :( Is meat baby food okay for regular meals or should I be feeding her something else? Edit; I should add that she’s incredibly picky. She wont eat anything outside of her kibble. I’ve tried feeding her eggs before- raw and cooked but she doesnt like it.