Your first aid kit for your ferrets should be loaded and ready to go before getting ferrets. Emergencies can happen from day 1 of pet ownership. Here's a list of common first aid kit items you should have on hand. Note: These are not meant to replace any vet care, only to help keep your ferret safe until then.
1. Vaseline- blockages 2. Nail clippers- nail trimming 3. Styptic powder- stops bleeding 4. Feeding syringes- for when a ferret is sick or dehydrated 5. Q-tips, cotton pads- to clean cuts, administer honey 6. Gauze- to clean cuts, used as bandage 7. Honey- for blood sugar crashes 8. Their favorite food- for blood sugar crashes 9. Saline solution- to clean cuts 10. Scissors- just useful to have, cuts gauze 11. Tick remover- will help remove ticks properly 12. Ferret safe tooth brush and tooth paste Blockages & Hairballs If you believe your ferret has a complete blockage, vet care will be needed. In the meantime, you should still try and help them pass whatever it is. Minor blockages can be cleared with some assistance. Vaseline is the best quick method to pass foreign objects. Stick to 1tsp of vaseline, too much can affect absorption of nutrients from their food. If you've run out of vaseline, olive oil or egg yolk will work, but not as effectively. If your ferret isn't used to eating egg yolk, feed via syringe. Thankfully, ferrets seem to like the taste of of all of these. *Watch my video on hairballs here- https://youtu.be/XiWVAQoBTo4 ferrets can't regurgitate hairballs, it's important you learn about how to deal with them before getting ferrets. Superficial wounds If you know what you're doing, some minor wounds shouldn't need veterinary care, but any wound is liable to infection, have a vet on hand in case. Clipped nail too far- If you accidentally clipped a ferrets nail too far down, it can bleed. Apply a dot of saline solution and cover in styptic powder. Keep them from licking at it and check frequently, it should clot and be fine in a short time frame. Nail torn from nail bed- Saline solution rinse and styptic powder. Make sure they rest until it dries and stops bleeding. The nail will grow back. Other small cuts- same procedure. If you like, you can also wrap with gauze and tape, but many ferrets will rip this off. If the wound is very big and has a large risk of infection you will need to bring them to the vet. Insulinoma crash This can be very serious. If your ferret has been diagnosed with Insulinoma, you should have a blood glucose meter at home. During a "crash" the ferret will appear to be sluggish, limp, lethargic or even at the point of seizing. To balance blood sugar levels use a q-tip and rub their gums with some honey. Karo-syrup can also be used. When the ferret appears more normal, offer them their favorite meal. Make sure it's prepared and easy to eat. As a raw feeder in this situation I would just offer their meal as is. I haven't had any luck in the past getting my ferrets to eat baby food, wet food, or carnivore care when they're sick. If your ferret is kibble fed, take some kibble, moisten with water and blend it up. You can try feeding meat baby food or carnivore care but many won't eat these. Your ferret will need to see the vet ASAP. Insulinoma requires daily medication. Dehydration episode If you suspect your ferret is dehydrated, you have to act quickly! You can tell via the "scruff test" by pinching the scruff. If it stays up in a tent shape, the ferret is dehydrated. They may also have pale gums and lethargy, as well as watery poops, sometimes with a red tinge. If the ferret is refusing water from a dish, feed via syringe! This has worked for us. Let them rest and they should be back to normal relatively quickly. If you feed kibble, make sure to always serve it in water! Kibble and freeze dried raw is very dry and dehydrating. Vomiting Vomiting can mean many things in a ferret. If a kibble fed ferret vomits, vet care is needed ASAP. With raw fed ferrets, they may regurgitate their food if they didn't properly chew enough the first time. During the transition to raw, some ferrets may vomit while their stomach adjusts to eating new foods. Diarrhea Diarrhea can also mean many things. If a kibble fed ferret is seen passing diarrhea, something's wrong. Diarrhea can be caused by poor diet, parasites, other disease, dehydration, and more. If this is paired with any other symptoms like lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, etc vet care is needed ASAP. If it's just a one time thing, they may just have experienced some stress. In raw fed ferrets, diarrhea isn't all that uncommon. If it occurs after eating bone-in meat, more meals of bone-in are required to firm up stools. If it occurs after muscle meat or organ is fed, that's pretty normal. If it keeps occurring no matter how much calcium you're feeding, something's wrong.
6 Comments
Ava
9/26/2020 09:04:08 am
Where do you get a ferret toothbrush and toothpaste?
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10/14/2020 10:37:23 am
You can get it on amazon, or from your local pet store, local rescue.
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10/14/2020 10:41:19 am
Hi, This is a correction to the comment I just made, Ava. This should be the right link: https://www.amazon.com/Arm-Hammer-Advanced-Toothbrush-Toothpaste/dp/B01AY52HX8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1EE68Q11R32J&dchild=1&keywords=ferret%2Btoothbrush&qid=1602696854&s=pet-supplies&sprefix=ferret%2Btooth%2Cpets%2C152&sr=1-2&th=1
Kayla
7/10/2023 05:17:23 am
Hello, do you also use this tooth paste in the link you provided? Or do you only use the toothbrush? Thanks sm
Simrah Ali
2/16/2021 12:06:15 pm
Is it okay if I feed my ferret egg after they have had their breakfast everyday? please reply!
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Tif
10/1/2021 04:15:31 pm
Eggs are a preventative which means they should not be used often. Feeding an egg once a week to a ferret should be sufficient.Hope that helps!
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