How do you know if your ferret has distemper?

How do you know if your ferret has distemper?

“Specific clinical signs of distemper in ferrets include ocular and nasal discharge, anorexia, diarrhea, skin rashes in the chin and inguinal region, hyperkeratosis, brown crusts on the eyes, nose, lips, and chin, immunosuppression with secondary infections, and seizures,” said Dr.

What does it mean when a ferret coughs?

The causes for cough in ferrets are varied. Often, upper respiratory tract disorders or viral infections such as the flu are to blame. Other causes may include: Sinusitis.

How common is ferret distemper?

Distemper is an acute viral infectious disease with reported mortality rates in ferrets of 100%. Prevalence depends on the area, recent outbreaks have been documented in multiple countries.

Can a ferret get its head stuck in its eyes?

“The owners had closed the recliner and not realized that their ferret had its head stuck in there. This popped out both of the ferret’s eyes, and the ferret became instantly blind,” Dr. Burgess said. The ferret’s eyes were swollen and damaged, so the best thing that could be done for it was to remove its eyes and close the area up.

What happens to a ferret with cataracts?

The prognosis for a ferret with cataracts is not usually good. In early stages of the disease, the animal will still be able to see light and shapes. In time, cataracts cause total blindness. “Sometimes anti-inflammatory drugs might be used to keep the eye calm and less inflamed, but it doesn’t bring any vision back.

When do ferrets lose the ability to see?

It can occur at any age, but particularly in older ferrets. Ferrets with this condition start out with normal vision but gradually lose their sight. In advanced stages, the pupil will be completely dilated, fixed and will no longer respond to light. You May Also Like 5 Questions With…

Can You diagnose glaucoma in a ferret?

However, it can be difficult to diagnose glaucoma in ferrets. “We don’t see the normal signs in ferrets that we do in dogs and cats,” Dr. Williams said. “Ferrets often do not have any corneal edema. They also tend not to exhibit the pain that we see in dogs and cats, [which] will hold their eyes closed.”.

Signs of canine distemper virus in the ferret may vary, but classically it starts with a mild conjunctivitis and green to yellow discharge from one or both eyes. A high fever of 104 degrees Fahrenheit or greater develops within a few days. The ferret may lose his appetite and become lethargic.