Whenever you decide to bring home an animal as a pet ( in our case- ferret ) , you run a risk of getting some illnesses. Although there are certain steps that should be followed in order to reduce that risk, remember that chance of getting sick from your ferret will always exist.
The good news is that ferrets are not known as animals which are transmitting diseases to humans so often but still you have to take some precautions.
The best way to know if you are at risk or not is to learn more about illnesses that you can or can’t get from your pet and this article will give you all the necessary information in one place.
Table of Contents
Who is in danger?
The most vulnerable groups are people with weak immune systems such as the elderly, people who suffer from cancer and receiving chemotherapy, HIV positive persons, those who have recently had organ transplant surgery or younger kids whose immune system is still not completely developed.
Of course all other people can catch some illness from a pet ferret but those I have listed are more jeopardized.
Ferrets parasitic disease
Tick-borne
Even doe tick-borne illness is not so frequent in ferrets, they can bring in the house ( after playing outdoor ) and transmit to their human friends. Look for small black or brown or red spots on your furry pal as ticks can provoke anemia in ferrets and also transmit several serious illnesses to you and to your pet. Be careful if you are removing ticks from your pet’s skin – as in humans, you must remove the whole tick as if head stays inside can cause severe diseases.
Roundworms
Although this parasitic infection is not so common in ferrets, they can catch it from other pets in the household, especially puppies and kittens. This infection is more seen in younger ferrets and can be transmitted to humans. Roundworms can be fatal for kits but also very dangerous for people.
Flea infestation
The most common and well-known infection. Ferrets that live outdoors or in a household with other pets run a greater risk. Standard symptoms are itching along with hair loss, especially on the back and tail base.
If you notice your furry friend scratching, look at the fur using flea comb (pay special attention to shoulder blades area, as fleas are most concentrated there). You may notice brown or black fleas, although flea infestation is not the only reason why ferret might be scratching.
If you confirm that your ferret has fleas, use the shampoo against fleas for kittens. Avoid using sprays and powders as they are more toxic to ferrets then shampoo. Look for shampoo that contains pyrethrins. If the label on the shampoo says that the product contains petroleum distillates or organophosphates, skip it.
Also if you are more for natural products and you find one with cedar oils as one of the ingredients, do not buy it, as this oil is toxic to ferrets. When applying a shampoo, avoid eyes and nose area, as usual, and use a flea comb so you can physically remove the fleas. If necessary repeat this anti-flea treatment on a weekly basis.
One of the facts you should know is that flea eggs can survive without a host 2 years! They can wait for host all that time. So in case you bought second-hand furniture or some equipment for your furry friend make sure you perform an anti-flea treatment before usage.
In case your furry ball has fleas, you need to do the same thing. Cage, bedding and anything your pet is using needs to be treated. You should wash bedding in hot water( but do not use fabric softener) and for floors use vacuum cleaner along with flea sprays and powders for floors ( never ever use them on your ferret, these are for floors and carpets only).
Also cats and dogs flea treatments are not the best solution. If there is no other remedy, you can use them, but for a very short time and pay attention to the dosage ( remember that dogs are usually larger then ferrets so if you use flea treatment for dogs you have to be aware of the size of your ferret in comparison to the dog ).
If you use them in a longer period, they can cause a problem with lungs and skin irritation. One of the risks, when your ferret has fleas, is a tapeworm infestation that is why you should pay close attention if you notice fleas on your furry friend and not only because of him/her but because of you as well.
Scabies
Parasitic infection caused by mites that live on the skin of many mammals including ferrets. Ferrets become infected if come to a contact with other infected animal or some its belongings, for example, if ferret shares the same bedding with an infected animal, he will most probably end infected as well. Although this is not a life-threatening condition, it can cause a lot of discomfort that is why it is highly suggested to contact your vet in case your furry ball is infected.
There are two different types of scabies. The first one can affect the whole body of the ferret making the skin to be extremely itchy, it is also possible for yellow scabs to form on the skin. Loss of hair is also one of the symptoms. The other type affects the feet only and it is called – footrot. The symptom of this type is swelling and redness of the feet, yellow crust, itchy feet. The most common way to treat this condition is that your ferret gets Ivermectin injections.
Giardia
Another parasitic infection caused small parasitic protozoans that can be found in the intestine in many mammals and birds. This infection is more often in warmer months. Ferrets as other animals usually become infected if they take contaminated water or food or come into direct contact with the fecal material of infected animals/pets. Humans can also catch the disease if they come into contact with ferret’s poop when they are cleaning the cage or removing the waster from the litter box. Usual symptoms are diarrhea, weight loss and other gastrointestinal problems. Ferrets are usually treated with antibiotics such as Metronidazole or Albendarzole. As in many other similar cases, after you have treated affected ferret, you must treat all the surfaces that ferret came into contact with, in order to disinfect them. The best solution is to use bleach for this purpose.
Cryptosporidia
Microscopic parasite that use mammals in general but also birds and reptiles as hosts. Humans and pets ( ferrets as well) can become infected if take contaminated water, raw meat and if they come into contact with fecal material of infected animal or human.
The worst thing regarding this parasite is that its eggs are resistant on disinfectants and can survive longer period, waiting for the host. Infection is easily transmittable among humans and animals but the good news is that both people and pets can fight against infection if their immune system is good, but in case they have weak immune system,they can easily pick up the infection.
Until recently there was no cure for this condition. Any medication that was used for treatment in the case of Cryptosporida was not effective but now treatment with antimicrobial Paromomycin shows that we have something to hope for.
Coccidia
One of the most common intestinal infections caused by protozoal (single cell ) parasites. Very characteristic for the area of the United States. Can cause weight loss, lethargy, diarrhea, pale gums, painful stomach. Although in many cases the immune system of the ferrets and humans will be able to cope with this parasite and no treatment will be needed as you or your pet will show no signs of infection. In some other cases this infection can be fatal. What you can do to prevent it?
Hygiene is very important, keep the cage and bedding clean, as well as water and food you are giving to your pet. In case you have some new pet ( ferret or whatever ) and you would like to introduce him/her to your ferret, think about vet examination first and maybe some quarantine period if you are not sure about the place from which the new pet is coming.
If you suspect that your furry ball is infected, better to see the vet. He/she will most probably perform a fecal flotation test and according to the result your vet will decide on the therapy. Affected ferrets are usually treated with sulfa drugs.
Heartworm
Caused by a parasitic worm transmitted by mosquito’s bite. Life-threatening condition which can lead to fatal heart disease. More common is warmer parts of USA, where winters are mild and springs full of rain which forms a great environment for mosquito. This condition is one of the reasons why ferrets should not live outdoor especially in southern parts of the USA. If you notice some of the symptoms rush to your vet as your ferret should be treated on time.
Usual symptoms are: loss of appetite, rapid heartbeat, depression, a cumulation of fluid either in chest or stomach. This condition is rarely found in humans. Even if a human becomes infected, the mosquito is one to blame and not ferret. Humans are not a natural host for heartworm so even if larvae get into the human body,usually die before become adult worm.
Fungal disease in ferrets
Ringworm
A fungal infection, dangerous both for ferrets and humans. Ferrets usually get infection in contact with other infected pets/animals but also from dirty bedding, lousy kept cage, if their enclosure is overcrowded, etc. Despite the fact that ferrets can become infected in any age and that both genders are in risk, this infection is more common in younger ferrets.
Some standard symptoms are dry skin which can become thick and red, itching, hair loss. This condition requires medical attention so you should visit a vet for consultation and some anti-fungal medication. Note that cage and other things that were used by affected pets should be treated in order to eliminate the infection. If not, you are running a risk to contract illness yourself.
Bacterial disease
Salmonella
Well-known bacteria which easily can pass from the pet ferret to you. All mammals, birds, reptiles can carry Salmonella. This bacterial infection causes gastrointestinal problems such as diarrhea ( can be bloody) .In ferrets, some other symptoms may occur such as red eyes, fever, vomiting, loss of appetite. Spread through fecal material. Ferrets on raw meat diet and those who live with reptiles are at great risk.
Also young or old ferrets with compromised immune systems are more jeopardize then others. If you notice any of the signs call a vet. He/she will run some tests ( blood, urine, fecal)as well as physical examination in order to determine whether your furry ball is ill or not. This condition is treated with antibiotics but the treatment might belong, as it is not easy to remove bacteria from an organism. Even though your ferret has been treated, be aware that he /she can still be contagious.
Viruses
Influenza
Well-known virus, can be transmitted from ferrets to humans but also from humans to ferrets. Standard signs are runny nose and watery eyes, fever, etc. If you notice the signs of influenza in you, it is recommended not to handle your ferret until you get better. As in many other infections, younger and older people and ferrets are in greater danger.
Steps you may take to reduce the risk of getting some disease from your furry friend :
1. Try to keep wild animals away from your home, pets, food ….
2. Always wash your hands ( use soap and running water) after cleaning the cage, littler box, water bowl or bottle, handling your pet
3. Never clean the cage and other ferret’s equipment on the surfaces where you prepare the food or in kitchen sink /bathroom tub
4. If you belong to a group of people who are in risk (elderly person or the person with a compromised immune system, kids, pregnant women) take extra precaution
5. Keep the food in containers that can be sealed
6. Adopt /buy ferret from the known and reliable source
Do not keep the ferret with mink for example ( Aleutian mink disease -virus that can easily pass from mink to ferret )
