by Victoria Montgomery

Created on: June 28, 2009

More curious than a cat and prone to scampering, dancing, and rolling, the ferret is a fun and often exhilarating pet to own. Ferrets are extremely playful animals and are sure to keep you entertained and delighted for hours on end. But just like any other animal, ferrets are also sometimes prone to diseases.

Stress plays a factor in the health of your ferret. Ferrets require good nutrition and adequate amounts of water to remain healthy. It is important to keep an eye on their daily intake of food and water. A ferret that is not getting enough water will probably stop eating dry food and may even stop eating altogether. Warm temperatures can also create stress for your ferret and have a negative impact on his health. Temperatures below 70o will make your pet more comfortable and less likely to become ill.

One particular disease that can be deadly to a ferret is Heliocobacter Mustelae. It is considered to be a wasting illness and causes stomach pain and blood loss. Similar to human ulcers and gastritis, it can quickly escalate and result in death. The good news is that, if treatment is administered early on, the disease can be cured.

Heliocobacter mustelae is caused by a bacterium that is often already present in ferrets. It usually affects young ferrets, often having been passed from the mother during birth but can also be passed to other adult ferrets. Symptoms of heliocobacter include

lethargy

abdominal pain

teeth grinding

loss of appetite

vomiting

enlargement of the lymph nodes

black, tarry stools

If your ferret exhibits any of these signs, it is imperative that you visit your veterinarian immediately. Waiting may cost you the life of your pet.

Treatment for heliocobacter is a combination of several drugs and generally lasts from 4 to 8 weeks. Your veterinarian will probably prescribe Flagyl, Amoxicillin, and Pepto-Bismol. The reasoning behind giving several drugs is that the heliocobacter bacterium causes both ulcers and gastritis and it is difficult, if not impossible, to determine which one your ferret has. As a result, these drugs are given together. In extreme cases, steroids may be administered as well. Improvement may be seen as soon as a few days.

In addition to prescribing drugs to your ferret, your veterinarian may also suggest feeding your pet a high calorie, digestible food supplement. This supplement, commonly called "Duck Soup", is homemade, and has a variety of ingredients such as chicken broth, strained young meats, and Ensure. These types of food will help get your ferret through the first few days of treatment when he isn't eating or drinking much and help keep him from becoming more ill.

Additional information on the health and care of ferrets is available at the links below. Armed with this information, you and your ferret should have a wonderful relationship.

http://www.peteducation.com

http://all-about-ferrets.com

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