Infectious Diseases of Ferrets

Helicobacter mustelae is found in the stomach and in the small intestines of most, if not all, ferrets after weaning. It can cause chronic, persistent inflammation of the stomach and can cause ulcers similar to those found in humans. Gastric lymphoma, a stomach cancer, may occur in chronic cases. Signs include lack of appetite, vomiting, teeth clenching or grinding, diarrhea, tarry black stool, increased salivation, and abdominal pain. Lethargy, weight loss, and dehydration can also occur. An accurate diagnosis requires a biopsy and tests on the tissue collected, but often a suspected diagnosis can be made based on the history and the signs of the ferret. Treatment is with multiple antibiotics and usually lasts for 21 days.

Lawsonia intracellularis can cause a bowel disease characterized by excessive growth of intestinal tissue, especially in younger ferrets. Acute cases are often associated with stress. Signs include diarrhea, weight loss, and rectal prolapse, in which the rectum protrudes out of the anus and can be damaged or prevent defecation. Treatment is with antibiotics for 14 to 21 days.

Other bacterial infections seen in ferrets are similar to those seen in other mammals like dogs and cats and are treated similarly.

Ferrets are extremely susceptible to canine distemper virus. The disease affects multiple organs and damages the immune system. The virus can be transmitted by direct or indirect contact with an infected animal. It can be carried through the air, on shoes, on clothes, and on skin. Signs are seen 7 to 10 days after infection, starting with fever and a rash on the chin and groin area. This is followed by loss of appetite and thick discharge of mucus and pus from the eyes and nose. Brown crusts on the face and eyelids and thickening of the footpads also occur. Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, and difficulty breathing can develop and progress rapidly. Canine distemper is fatal in ferrets. Death typically occurs 12 to 14 days after infection. There is no remedy or treatment. The best defense is yearly vaccination.

Human influenza virus causes fever, lethargy, lack of appetite, nasal discharge, and sneezing in ferrets. Treatment includes supportive care and antibiotics for secondary infections. Antiviral drugs are also available. Ferrets usually recover within 7 to 14 days. Ferret owners who have the flu should be careful not to handle their ferrets, because they can transmit the virus to their pets.

Epizootic catarrhal enteritis is a highly contagious inflammation of the intestines. Ferrets usually contract the disease when a new, apparently healthy juvenile ferret is introduced into the home or when they are exposed to contaminated objects such as food bowls, bedding, or clothing. The disease is most severe in older ferrets, which may take months to recover. Signs develop 2 to 14 days after exposure and include lack of appetite; green, watery, or slimy diarrhea; tarry black stool; dehydration; lethargy; and weight loss. The virus damages the hairlike projections called villi that line the intestines, making it difficult for the affected animal to properly digest and absorb food.

Accurately diagnosing this viral infection is not easy and requires a biopsy of the intestine. Treatment includes supportive care such as fluids, nutritional support (usually a bland, easily digestible diet), antibiotics, and protective substances that coat the lining of the intestines.

To avoid spreading the disease, wash your hands and change clothes and shoes after handling any young or infected ferret before going near unaffected ferrets. Wash any new toy or bedding before giving it to your ferrets. Clean the litter box of the infected ferret at least daily. New ferrets brought into the home should be quarantined for at least 2 weeks.

Aleutian disease is a viral infection originally seen in mink, but at least 2 distinct ferret strains of the virus have been identified. The virus causes the ferret’s antibodies to attack its own organs. The affected organs become inflamed and have difficulty functioning properly. The result is a variety of vague signs such as weight loss, weakness, clumsiness, an enlarged liver, and an enlarged spleen. Your veterinarian will make a diagnosis based on these signs and results of blood tests. No specific treatment exists. An infected ferret must be isolated to prevent the spread of the disease, and strict hygiene measures are recommended at all times.

Sars-CoV-2 virus, the virus that causes the COVID-19 illness in people, is transmittable to ferrets. Many ferrets do not exhibit obvious clinical signs, but some can experience mild signs such as loss of appetite, lethargy, and occasional coughing. Ferrets can transmit the virus to other animals and possibly to humans. Therefore, ferret owners with COVID-19 should not handle their ferrets, and ferrets infected with Sars-CoV-2 should be isolated from people and other animals until they have cleared the virus. If your ferret is showing signs of COVID-19 infection, you should speak to your veterinarian.

Ferrets are susceptible to ringworm, most commonly contracting 1 of 2 types, Microsporum canis or Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Transmission is by direct contact or contact with contaminated objects such as bedding or a grooming brush. It is often associated either with overcrowding or exposure to cats. Infection is more common in infant and young ferrets. Signs of ringworm include patchy hair loss and possible dry, flaky skin. It is possible to transfer ringworm between people and ferrets. Your veterinarian can diagnose the infection by testing the ferret’s hair. Wear gloves when handling an infected animal, and wash hands thoroughly afterward. Treatment involves topical anti-fungal medications and shampoos and thorough disinfection of the infected ferret’s contaminated environment to remove fungal spores that can persist on dry surfaces for months to years.

Other fungal diseases, such as fungal pneumonia (blastomycosis) and fungal infections of the central nervous system (cryptococcal meningitis), are very unusual in ferrets but have been reported.

Ear mites are the most common parasite found in ferrets. The same organism is found in dogs and cats, and the disease can be passed between these species. Ferrets with dark, grayish ear wax and unpleasant-smelling ears probably have ear mites. In many cases, there are no signs at all, and the mites are only discovered during a routine physical exam. A veterinarian will take a sample of the material in the ear and look at it under a microscope to diagnose ear mites. Various topical medications are commonly prescribed for treatment.

Fleas are occasionally seen in ferrets, especially in households with multiple pets. They can be transmitted between ferrets, dogs, and cats. A large, untreated flea infestation can cause anemia (decreased red blood cell count) and weakness in ferrets. The most effective flea control products are available only through veterinarians. Many of the long-acting topical treatments last longer in ferrets than in cats and dogs because of the increased oily secretion in the coat. To rid an environment of fleas, thoroughly clean ferret cages and bedding, as well as the rugs, carpet, and furniture. Talk to your veterinarian about treating all of the animals in the house and the environment (house or room) to get rid of fleas.

Mange (scabies) in ferrets is caused by a microscopic mite known as Sarcoptes scabiei. Mange can cause generalized inflammation of the skin that results in hair loss and severe itching. Red, raised areas filled with pus may develop. Ferrets scratch the affected area in an attempt to relieve the itch, quickly leading to damaged skin, secondary infection, and sores. Another form of mange unique to ferrets is limited to the feet, toes, and pads. The feet become red, swollen, and painful. This form is also accompanied by intense itching.

Mange, ferrets

The standard method of testing for mange is to take a skin scraping and identify the mites under a microscope. However, a negative scraping does not mean a ferret does not have mange. Diagnosis may be based on history and the response to scabies medication. Mange can be treated with the drug ivermectin. Antibiotics may be needed to treat infections caused by scratching.

Ferrets that are housed outside may be infested with bot fly larvae. The larvae burrow into the skin, incubate for 30 days, then burrow back out and fall to the ground, leaving an open wound. In rare cases, the larvae burrow their way into the brain, nasal passages, or eyelids. Wounds are typically visible around the head, neck, and trunk and may ooze pus. A veterinarian will open the pocket where the larvae have burrowed, pull out the larvae, and clean the wound.

Heartworm disease is a mosquito-transmitted illness seen primarily in dogs. It can also be found in ferrets, especially those with outdoor access. Indoor ferrets are also at risk because mosquitoes can enter a house. Mosquitoes inject heartworm larvae that grow into adult heartworms in an infected ferret. Adult heartworms live in the heart and blood vessels of the lungs, eventually interfering with heart function and causing breathing problems. Because ferrets' hearts are so small, even a single worm can cause disease and death. Signs include lethargy, coughing, difficulty breathing, and fluid in the abdomen. Ferrets are at high risk of sudden death from heartworm disease. The disease may be difficult for your veterinarian to detect because ferrets are usually infected with only 1 or a few worms. Treatment, which involves longterm use of medications to prevent blood clots and kill the adult worms, may cause problems for the ferret.

Preventing heartworm disease is much safer and easier than treating it in ferrets. Ferrets should be given an appropriate heartworm preventive medication all year round. You can obtain this medication from your veterinarian. The drugs selamectin and ivermectin are commonly used to prevent heartworm disease. Keeping ferrets indoors will reduce their exposure to mosquitoes that transmit heartworms.

Coccidiosis affects the lining of the intestines and can cause disease in young ferrets. Signs include diarrhea, lethargy, and rectal prolapse. Treatment is with antibiotics. Rectal prolapse usually resolves itself after the underlying disease is treated. Over-the-counter creams used to treat hemorrhoids may be helpful in treating rectal prolapse.

Also see professional content regarding infectious diseases of ferrets.