| Gastrointestinal Disorders in Ferrets (GI blockages and ECE) |
Gastrointestinal Blockages
Gastrointestinal blockages are one of the major causes of premature ferret death. Symptoms may include: Vomiting, lack of appetite or not eating or drinking at all, straining when using the bathroom and producing no bowel movement or "skinny" stool, weakness, and diarrhea. It is very important to take your ferret to a veterinarian as soon as these symptoms begin. Ferrets with blockages can die in a matter of days. They can become seriously dehydrated within a day if they are vomiting or not taking in any fluids. If you suspect your ferret has a blockage, don't attempt to treat your ferret at home with ferret or cat laxatives. Rather, quickly look around the house for the item your ferret may have ingested (check their toys, look under the bed, under furniture and in their favorite hiding places) and take your ferret to a veterinarian immediately. Your veterinarian will usually attempt to take an X-ray or use ultra sound to find the blockage. Unfortunately, surgery is almost always needed, so be prepared to make that decision.
Blockages can occur from foreign bodies your ferret has eaten, hair balls, or abnormal swelling or scaring of intestinal tissue. Be sure to keep all foam rubber, soft rubber, nuts, rubber bands, balloons and Styrofoam away from your ferret (many household items contain these materials, including furniture, stuffed animals, shoes and the contents of cabinets and drawers). Keep an eye on your ferrets when they are playing with plastic bags, string and cardboard or paper items. Some ferrets will chew and ingest these materials as well.
You can prevent hair balls by brushing your ferret regularly during shedding seasons, bathing them during shedding seasons and giving them a one half inch ribbon of hair ball treatment every day during shedding seasons, and a few times a week during non-shedding periods. See for hairball treatment.
The best way to prevent blockages is to supervise your ferret and ferret- proof your home to the best of your ability. No home can be completely ferret proofed all of the time, so supervision is the key to a blockage free ferret.
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ECE
ECE, or Epizootic Catarrhal Enteritis, is a very contagious virus that is commonly known as "Green Slime Disease." It affects the intestines of the ferret, causing profuse diarrhea that has a bright green coloration. The disease can begin with an initial bout of vomiting (sometimes clear mucus that may go unnoticed) and then several episodes of profuse, bright green often "smelly" diarrhea (the green coloration is due to mucus). ECE is a very serious virus that puts your ferret at great risk for dehydration, malnutrition and ulcers. Older ferrets and ferrets with conditions such as adrenal disease and insulinomas are hit the hardest. Kits may only have mild symptoms or may not show any symptoms at all. If your ferret has had more than two or three episodes of diarrhea or vomiting, please take it to the veterinarian. Your veterinarian can monitor your ferret for dehydration and provide fluids, antibiotics (to prevent secondary infection) and medications to help with the diarrhea. There are many health conditions other than ECE that can cause diarrhea and vomiting. Your veterinarian can give you the correct diagnosis based on tests and symptoms.
It is very important to keep your ferret eating and drinking after being diagnosed with ECE. Ferrets will usually have diarrhea for two to four days, coupled with nausea and malaise. Supportive care is very important during this initial stage of the virus. Ferrets will dehydrate very quickly if they are not taking in fluids and can develop mouth and stomach ulcers if they go long enough without eating. Keep an eye out for black, tarry stools, teeth grinding or red spots developing in your ferret's mouth. If you notice any of these symptoms, take your ferret to the veterinarian immediately. Your ferret could have ulcers.
If your ferret is not eating or drinking, you should syringe feed your ferret a solution of Pedialyte and water to drink (about 15 milliliters every three to four hours) and hand feed your ferret prescription canned food (available from your veterinarian), or Gerber's Chicken baby food (with the blue label) and an occasional serving of Nutri-Cal or Ferretvite every three to four hours to avoid further complications from the illness. Ask your veterinarian for proper syringe feeding instructions. Syringe feeding and force feeding can lead to respiratory infection if the food or fluid is aspirated by your ferret. Your ferret should begin to feel better and eat on his or her own after a few days. Always keep your veterinarian informed of your ferret's progress.
Supportive care may also be needed during the final stage of this virus. Often, ferrets will develop "seedy" looking stools after the diarrhea stage of the illness has ended. The seedy texture is actually undigested food. This means that your ferret may not be getting enough nutrients out of the food he or she is eating. Supplementing your ferret's regular feed with an easily digestible food like Gerber's Chicken baby food, Ferretvite, and/ or a canned prescription diet can help supply the nutrients needed ( see Caring for a Sick Ferret). Older ferrets or ferrets with other medical conditions can be under weight and sickly for months after the onset of the virus. Ferrets with ECE have to be given constant care and careful observation.
One of the most terrifying aspects of this disease is that a ferret can "shed" or carry the virus in their system for up to six months. This means that a seemingly healthy kit or adult ferret could be carrying the virus and be contagious. The virus can also be carried on one's skin and clothing, so it is recommended that you bath and change clothes after handling a ferret with ECE or unknown medical history (even baby ferrets in pet stores).
To prevent your ferret from getting ECE, be very careful when introducing your ferret to other ferrets. Because of the long shedding period of this virus, it is virtually impossible to know which ferrets may be carrying it with no symptoms at all. If you have a ferret at home who has not already had ECE, be sure to bath and change clothes after handling other ferrets. Ferrets who have had ECE generally develop a lasting immunity to the disease. However, they may also develop complications from the disease and be more prone to bouts of diarrhea and intestinal inflammation in the future.
For more detailed information on this topic, please visit the web site of Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM http://www.afip.org/ferrets.
Lymphoma in Ferrets Insulinomas in Ferrets Adrenal Disease Caring for a Sick Ferret Vaccination Information
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The information provided in this section is not intended to be used in place of proper veterinary care. This web site contains the opinions of the writer. The reader of this site must use this information at his or her own risk.