SYMPTOM GUIDE

This is only a guide to help you observe what is going on with your ferret ALWAYS consult your vet about symptoms you observe.

EYES
Symptom
Bulging or swollen
Runny/Watery
Pus
Brown crusting
White spot or "disk" in eye(s) or
blindness

PAWS

Possible Cause
Glaucoma
Allergy, Cold
Conjunctivitis
Distemper

Hair loss
Dry pads
Dark pink pads
Bright red pads

Possible Cause
Age, Adrenal disease
Clay litter
Insulinoma seizure
Heat stroke

Cataract

Rough, thickened pads

Distemper

MOUTH

Symptom

Rough, scratched pads

Pale gums
Red, sore, bleeding gums
Bluish-Grey gums
Blackened teeth
Dark or stained teeth
Rash on chin & lips

Anemia, Low Blood Pressure

Tartar, Gingivitis
Lack of Oxygen
Dead tooth
Age, Tetracycline as kit
Distemper

Nail torn out

Curled toes

Drooling or clenched teeth

Insulinoma seizure, Poisoning

Weakness in hindquarters

Scratching at mouth
Vomiting
Vomiting blood
Panting

Broken tooth, Nausea

Foreign body, Ulcers, ECE,
Hairball, Poisoning
Internal hemorrhage
Heat stroke, Severe pain,
Insulinoma seizure
NOSE

Runny, Sneezy

Cold, Flu, Allergy

Sore on nose

Infection

Dark pink or red

Insulinoma seizure

Bright red
Black inside
Black inside, Itching
Bad smell

Heat stroke
EARS
Excessive dirt
Mites
Excessive dirt, Infection

Growth (In or Out)

Tumor, Infection

Loss of hair

Another ferret chewing on them

Congenital, Wardenburg's
Syndrome (Panda pattern),
Infection

Deafness

Black spots
Fur falling out
Guard hair sparse
Thinning
Pattern loss (base of tail, up
backside)
"Graying"
Flaking skin

Rough, thickened pads

LUNGS
Coughing

Cold, Heart disease, Lymphoma

Wheezing

Allergy, Heart disease, Pneumonia

Rapid breathing

Heat stroke, Pain

Heart disease, Pneumonia,
Difficult breathing
Lymphoma, Heartworm
STOMACH/SPLEEN
Intestinal blockage, Heart disease,
Stomach distension
Poison, Tumor
Lopsided abdomen
Enlarged spleen
Hardened area along abdomen
Enlarged spleen, Tumor
Anorexia
Stomach or mouth ulcers, ECE
Loss of hair
Another ferret chewing on them
URINATION/DEFACATION
Urinary tract blockage,
Male "dribbling" or crying
Bladder/Kidney stones, Kidney
infection, Adrenal disease
"Sand" in urine
Bladder stones
Heavy urination &/or excessive
thirst

Diabetes, Kidney infection

Green diarrhea

Kidney failure, Blockage,

Bladder/Kidney stones
Dairy products, Food allergy,
Stress, Coccidia, Infection
Upset stomach, Stress, ECE

Dark, tarry stool

Bleeding, Too many raisins

Blood in stool

Internal bleeding, Cancer

Fabric or odd objects in stool

Eating fabric or toys

Adrenal disease

Frequent, small stools

Poor rectal muscles

Age, Natural silvering pattern

Flea irritation, Poor nutrition,
Allergy, Over-bathing

Protrusion from anus

Rectal prolapse

Draining near anus

Anal gland impaction

FUR & SKIN

Dry

Limping
Staggering
Stiffness

Outside for significant period,

Dirt/Cement floor
Caught on bedding or cage wire
Age, Weak hindquarters
LEGS
Stepped on
Insulinoma, Stroke, Ear infection
Arthritis, Age, Caged too long
Age, Arthritis, Low blood sugar,
General illness
Distemper

Poor nutrition, Age, General

illness
Flea dirt
Seasonal shed, Poor nutrition,
Stress, Fleas
Regrowth of coat
Age, Unnatural light cycle,
Adrenal disease, In heat or rut

Inability to urinate
Diarrhea

Yellowed

"Pinched" skin stays pinched

Hepatitis
Allergy, Fleas, Sunburn, Bites from
Temperature over 103
others
Dehydration
Temperature under 95

Wart-like growth

Skin tumor, Mole, Wart

Severe anemia

"Puffy", Inflamed areas

Abscess

Limp upon waking

Sore slow to heal

Diabetes, Adrenal disease, Cancer Comatose

Reddened, rough skin

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

Growth on penis

Tumor

"Dragging" penis/vulva across

things

Adrenal disease, Territorial

marking
Adrenal disease, Leftover ovarian
Blood sugar level below 80
tissue, In heat
Infection, Adrenal disease
BEHAVIOR
Insulinoma
Excessive grooming
Anemia, Low blood sugar, Age,
Bites when startled
Heart disease, General illness

Fainting
Lethargy
"Listing" to one side

Hypothermia, Serious illness

Lengthy heat cycle, Internal
tumor, Severely enlarged spleen
Baby sleep ("Dead Ferret
Syndrome"), Low blood sugar,
Insulinoma
Insulinoma, Stroke

Insulinoma seizure, Poisoning,

Shock, Epilepsy
Insulinoma seizure, Poisoning,
Convulsions
Shock, Epilepsy
Wasting, Failure to thrive despite Cancer, Age, Internal blockage,
eating/drinking okay
Internal parasite
Enlarged lymph nodes (hard, peaInfection, Cold/Flu, Lymphoma
sized)

Caught on something

Pus or discharge from vulva

Fever

Uncontrollable shivers & tremors

Bleeding penis

Swollen vulva

OVERALL BODY

Ear infection, Ear mites, Stroke

Bites other ferrets

Hopping & leaping

PLAYING!!!!

Ann's Ferret Shelter, 937.549.1960, godessann@yahoo.com

Anorexia, Insulinoma

Stress, Adrenal disease

Blind and/or deaf
Blind and/or deaf, Dominance
issues