Tag Archives: ferret care

Even Ferrets Get The Flu

As the weather cools, we have to start thinking about flu season… and not just for humans. Ferrets can actually catch influenza too! Although a human can catch the flu from a ferret, ferrets are far more likely to catch the flu from their humans. So if you have flu symptoms, be careful around your ferrets! Ferrets can actually catch most strains of influenza that infect humans — including influenza A and B. If you have symptoms of the flu, you should try to limit your contact with your ferrets to keep the disease from spreading. If a ferret does … Continue reading →

Adrenal Disease in Ferrets

American ferrets may suffer from a common disorder known as adrenal disease. Ferrets in other parts of the world may also develop adrenal disease, but it seems to be most common in the United States. Adrenal disease actually refers to a variety of conditions. The most common condition is adrenocortical hyperplasia, which is a proliferation of adrenal gland cells. Other types of adrenal disease may be the result of benign or malignant tumors. The adrenal gland produces hormones; adrenal disease usually means over-production of these hormones. The most common symptom of adrenal disease in ferrets is hair loss. The hair … Continue reading →

Ferret Basics

Since the 1980s, ferrets have become a popular family pet choice in the United States. A 1997 survey by the American Veterinary Medical Association found just under a million pet ferrets in residence in the country. The domesticated European ferret came from wild polecats and spread across the continent by Roman soldiers. Early explorers brought the creatures to the New World — legend has it that Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain sent ferrets across the Atlantic with Christopher Columbus! Historians see evidence of ferret-like animals in ancient Greek and Egyptian writings. Modern domestic ferrets weigh anywhere from one and a … Continue reading →