FERRET HEALTH ADVISORY SHEET Result of Estrogen-Secreting Lesions of the Cortex of Eye and Nasal Drainage, Anorexia, and Lethargy)
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General Regulations Purchasing a Ferret from A Hobby Breeder Food should be fed dry unless there is a medical A hobby breeder may not sell a ferret before it is at reason to do otherwise. As ferrets have a short Rabies Vaccination least 10 weeks old. The hobby breeder must provide gastrointestinal tract, they need to be fed frequently. Ferrets over 12 weeks of age are required by the ferret purchaser with a contract of sale stating that Therefore, food should be left out to be eaten free Michigan law to have a current rabies vaccination if the ferret purchaser can no longer keep the ferret, it choice. administered by a veterinarian. Owners are required must be returned to the breeder from whom it was to show a valid rabies certificate as proof of purchased. The hobby breeder must take the ferret Clean, fresh water should ALWAYS be available. vaccination upon request by appropriate authorities. back without question or conditions placed on the animal’s return. The contract must make it clear that Ferrets have NO nutritional requirement for If a ferret bites or otherwise potentially exposes a the purchaser cannot sell, surrender, give or carbohydrates; they simply do not need them in their person to rabies, the owner or witness must report the otherwise transfer the ferret to anyone except the diet. Sticky, sugar rich cereals and dried fruits can incident within 48 hours to the local public health original breeder. cause plaque and contribute to poor oral health. They department. The ferret will be handled in accordance may be a factor in insulinoma or other diseases. In with the Compendium of Animal Rabies Prevention Caring for Your Ferret the case of cereals, the carbohydrate content is much and Contro l. This means that the ferret will be General Information higher. Highly processed, sugar rich foods ARE NOT quarantined for a 10-day period as per dogs and cats. Ferrets are from the Mustelid family and are related to good for ferrets. If no clinical signs develop during that time period, minks, otters, weasels and skunks. Their average life then the ferret is considered to be incapable of having span is 5-11 years and they weigh from 1-5 pounds. While cereals and dried fruit have no real nutritional transmitted rabies to the bite victim. Baby ferrets are called KITS. Females are called value for ferrets, they clearly provide a degree of JILLS but when spayed are called SPRITES. Males satisfaction to the ferret. If fed sparingly, or used as a Importing Ferrets Into Michigan are called HOBS but when neutered are called GIBS. training aid, neither cereals nor dried fruit can cause A ferret cannot be imported into Michigan unless it is much harm, particularly if the rest of the diet is accompanied by an official interstate health Ferrets naturally emit a musky odor. If not descented, complete and sound. For those that worry, or who certificate, signed by an accredited veterinarian, they can also produce an odor from their anal glands. have ferrets with health problems, meaty treats which includes a record of vaccinations. Ferrets over The animal will express these glands when it is (poultry, pork, beef) should be substituted. six weeks of age are required to have a current scared, extremely excited, or has a disease. This odor distemper vaccination, and those over 12 weeks of lasts for a few minutes. Your veterinarian can advise Housing Suggestions age are also required to have a current rabies you about whether or not these glands should be A ferret should be provided with a secure cage large vaccination. removed. enough for the ferret to move about and stretch out comfortably. The floor may be tight wire or solid. A ferret less than six weeks of age shall not be Feeding Your Ferret Ferrets are prone to heat stress in temperatures over imported into Michigan unless accompanied by its Ferrets are carnivores, meaning they are strictly meat 80 degrees, so the cage should allow adequate natural mother. eaters! They can only utilize amino acids from meat airflow for cooling. Heavy water bowls or water bottles proteins and cannot digest amino acids from plant are recommended because ferrets are known to tip Local Licensing of Ferrets proteins. over light containers. Ferrets will use a litterbox, so a County, city, village or township governments may litterbox is also advised. require licensing of ferrets similar to the licensing that We suggest the use of high-quality ferret foods has been established for dogs. Check with your local because they are made up of highly digestible top- When bringing a ferret home, it is not a good idea to governing body to see if this applies to you. quality meat proteins. let it run free immediately, as there is a greater chance the ferret could be injured in an unfamiliar Leash Law When checking the food label, make sure the protein environment. Be sure to “ferret-proof” the A ferret is not allowed to leave the owner’s property level is 30 percent or more. Some people prefer to environment by blocking off areas where a ferret unless it is confined or leashed and under the direct mix two or more kinds of high-quality ferret foods could hide or gain access, including the underside of control of the owner or a responsible person together, which is also acceptable. furniture. Avoid exposure of the ferret to foam or latex designated by the owner. Ferrets running loose may rubber objects as ferrets like to chew and ingest be picked up by animal control authorities. Ferrets have a high dietary fat requirement (15%-20 rubber, which can result in an obstruction. percent). A diet with fat content LESS THAN this can Releasing a Ferret Into the Wild lead to a dry brittle coat and itchy skin. Ferrets like to sleep in a dark area. Therefore, it is It is illegal for a person to abandon a ferret or release recommended to provide a sleeping area in the cage. a ferret into the wild. Ferrets released into the wild The first two ingredients should NOT be corn. There are products designed specifically for ferrets to generally do not survive. Anything with fish meal will cause odor both in the sleep in including cloth tubes, tents, slings, and food AND in your ferret. hammocks. Common Health Problems of Ferrets Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Like all animals, ferrets are susceptible to many Inflammation of the GI tract resulting in vomiting, different ailments. Below are common diseases seen diarrhea, and/or weight loss. in ferrets. The list is not all inconclusive. Please consult with a veterinarian if you suspect your ferret is Influenza ill. Common problem in ferrets, especially in the winter months. The only species that shares the human flu Adrenal Disease virus, ferrets suffer much the same signs (sneezing, FERRET HEALTH ADVISORY SHEET Result of estrogen-secreting lesions of the cortex of eye and nasal drainage, anorexia, and lethargy). the adrenal gland commonly resulting in hair loss. Thus, influenza can be transmitted from human to Females often have a swollen vulva and males often ferret and from ferret to human. experience difficulties urinating. Insulinoma Aleutian Disease Insulin-secreting tumors of the pancreas. Signs may Infection from a parvovirus affecting the immune very from bouts of weakness (especially in the system. Animal may experience weight loss, hindlimbs) and lethargy to bouts of collapse where the difficulties walking, convulsions, black stools, and/or ferret is minimally responsive. difficulties breathing. Lymphoma (Aka Lymphosarcoma) Cardiomyopathy Cancer of lymphocytes, cells that regulate the Disease of the heart muscle. Animals may immune system. experience difficulties breathing, lethargy, coughing, weight loss, anorexia, and/or a fluid-filled abdomen. Proliferate Bowel Disease (PBD) Bacterial infection of the GI tract which causes Dental Disease thickening of the intestine. Signs may include weight Two most common forms by far are periodontal loss, dehydration, lethargy, and chronic diarrhea. disease and broken teeth. Young Children and Animals Distemper Parents should supervise contact between any Distemper virus results in profound animal and young children. If supervision is not immunosuppression and systemic infections and possible, parents may wish to consider getting a ferret culminates in death between 25-42 days. Ferrets at a later date. Children should never be left alone often have diarrhea and “cold-like” signs. with a ferret or any other pet that can potentially injure them. Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis (ECE) Diarrhea, presumably caused by a coronavirus, that Veterinary Care and Vaccinations usually develops shortly after introduction to a new, Ferrets should receive routine health examinations photo courtesy of Photos with Flair young ferret. from a veterinarian. Your veterinarian can provide you with information on prevention health care, Gastric Ulcers: including appropriate vaccinations. Stress related. Basically, a hole in the lining of the INFORMATION FOR FERRET OWNERS stomach. The Ferret Law (pursuant to 1994, Public Act 358) To view 1994, Public Act 358 (The Ferret Law), go to: A copy of this Advisory Sheet must accompany every ferret Heartworm Disease www.legislature.mi.gov , click on “”Public Act MCL every time they are sold or transferred within Michigan. A parasite that dwells in the heart and blood vessels Search,” enter “358” in the box next to “Public Act which is transmitted by mosquitoes. Number” and “1994” in the box next to “Pubic Act Animal Industry Division Year,” and click “Search.” www.michigan.gov/mdard Helicobacter Mustelae Infection: 1-800-292-3939 Stomach bacteria that can cause vomiting, diarrhea, anorexia, and/or weight loss. 06/11/2013 Replaces all earlier editions. Original issue printed in 2004. .