What causes more deaths in ferrets?

Answer 1

When ferrets become ill they tend to deteriorate rapidly due to their high metabolic rate, it is important to seek immediate veterinary care. Ferrets will hide sickness and pain, and by the time it's realized, the illness will be in an advanced stage. Ferrets that are ill can go downhill very rapidly, usually there is no time to "wait and see" if they will be okay. A common cause of death is not taking a ferret to the veterinarian when needed.

Ferrets are extremely curious. their natural instinct to investigate anything and everything leads to a number of dangers and is one of the leading cause of premature death. Special precautions must be taken to avoid this by keeping the ferret's habitat a safe one by "ferret-proofing" their environment.

Feeding ferrets an improper or poor diet of highly processed food with excessive vegetable protein can cause many illnesses and premature death. A ferret can suffer from such diseases as bladder stones, poor coat and skin , eosinophilic gastroenteritis (wasting, diarrhea, ulcerations of the skin and ear tips, swollen feet) and poor growth. Foods high in carbohydrates (sugar - ferret treats) causes insulinoma in ferrets.

Intestinal obstruction or blockage in the stomach is a common cause of premature death in ferrets. Many ferrets like to chew on soft rubber, foam rubber, sponges, rubber bands, pencil erasers and other small items and can become lodged in the intestines. Also grain-based foods (breads, cakes, cookies, cereals, noodles, etc.), nuts, or fibrous fruits and vegetables are indigestible to ferrets (lack a cecum) and can result in digestive problems, including blockages. Unless surgery is performed immediately to remove the obstruction or blockage, it will cause an agonizing, slow death.

Ferrets very susceptible to heatstroke and dehydration and do not have well developed sweat glands. They need to be kept indoors with temperatures of 80 F or less.

Ferrets are also susceptible to canine distemper and rabies. Adrenal and pancreatic tumors, cardiomyopathy, Aleutian disease, bronchial pneumonia and viral infections (human influenza) are other common diseases. With early diagnosis, most can be effectively treated.

Blood Loss - Blood can also be lost through the intestinal tract or respiratory tract due to infection, ulcers, cancer, and trauma or poisoning via vomiting, diarrhea or coughing. Consider internal blood loss an emergency If the ferret is suffering from a disease that prevents the blood from clotting such as liver disease, or poisoning, then bleeding can occur from any orifice of the body or small tear in the skin

Vomiting/Diarrhea - Ferrets have a very short digestive tract and digest food in about 3 to 4 hours from the stomach to the large intestine. Ferrets do have the ability to vomit, but don't tend to do so like dogs and cats, if they eat something that disagrees with them. Seek veterinary attention if the ferret is vomiting or passing diarrhea multiple times over two to three hours, passes blood in the vomit or stool or is exhibiting sudden or increasing weakness along with the vomiting or diarrhea. Blood in vomit can appear either bright red or look like coffee grounds.

• Causes - Vomiting and diarrhea in the ferret are problems related directly to the intestinal tract such as infections, obstructions, cancer, eosinophilic gastroenteritis, sudden changes in the diet or toxins (plants, insecticides, rodenticides, household cleaners, and overdose of medications). Other causes include kidney or liver disease and any systemic disease that causes metabolic changes.

(Source: Veterinarypartner.com)

When a ferret dies, that's when they cross the Rainbow Bridge

The Rainbow Bridge

By the edge of a woods, at the foot of a hill,

Is a lush, green meadow where time stands still.

Where the friends of man and woman do run,

When their time on earth is over and done.

For here, between this world and the next,

Is a place where each beloved creature finds rest.

On this golden land, they wait and they play,

Till the Rainbow Bridge they cross over one day.

No more do they suffer, in pain or in sadness,

For here they are whole, their lives filled with gladness.

Their limbs are restored, their health renewed,

Their bodies have healed, with strength imbued.

They romp through the grass, without even a care,

Until one day they start, and sniff at the air.

All ears prick forward, eyes dart front and back,

Then all of a sudden, one breaks from the pack.

For just at that instant, their eyes have met;

Together again, both person and pet.

So they run to each other, these friends from long past,

The time of their parting is over at last.

The sadness they felt while they were apart,

Has turned into joy once more in each heart.

They embrace with a love that will last forever,

And then, side-by-side, they cross over… together.

Copyright 1998 Steve and Diane Bodofsky.

All Rights Reserved. Reposted by Permission.

Answer 2

obstructions causes the most deaths