Cartoon ferret

Warning Signs

If your ferret shows any of the following symptoms, he should be seen by your veterinarian.

Back Leg Weakness
Dragging or Drooping rear leg might indicate a low blood sugar, neurological trauma, or insulinoma. Muscle atrophy also indicates adrenal tumors.
Dehydration
Like the skin on the back of your hand, a ferret's skin should rebound quickly after a gentle pinch. Skin that rebounds slowly shows the animal is dehydrated. ( aging will cause some loss in elasticity as well.) Dehydration may indicate4 kidney disease. Ferrets with the green slime virus are extremely susceptible to dehydration.
Diarrhea
Diarrhea can be a symptom of viral or bacterial infections and lymphosarcoma. If green, it shows the green slim virus in which case you should take your ferret to the vet immediately
Lethargy or Appetite Loss
Sluggishness or lack of appetite can be a warning sign of various illnesses, including severe infection, heart worm disease, insulinoma, adrenal tumor, heart disease, or kidney disease. Tiring quickly while playing is a symptom of heart disease .Weight loss can indicate kidney disease or lymphosarcoma.
Loss of Hair
Loss of hair along the back, tail, and rump that is not associated with molting indicates adrenal tumors. Hair loss may also result from external parasites or a low-quality diet.
Low Response to Pain
To test your ferret's response to pain, pinch his toe. Your ferret should pull his leg back. If there is no response or a delayed response, it may indicate spinal or nerve damage.
Pale Gums
Gums should be pink and healthy. To test, apply gentle pressure to ferret's gums. they should rapidly return pink in color. Pale gums or slow capillar refill time may show anemia, shock, septicemia, or a heart condition.
Rapid or Difficult Breathing
Rapid breathing is a warning sign of heart disease while difficult breathing is a sign of heart worm disease and lymphosarcoma.
Sudden Collapse
If your ferret suddenly collapses, he may suffer from heart disease or lymphosarcoma. Seizure, coma, or staring off into space are signs of insulinoma.
Vomiting
Gagging or actual vomiting are symptomatic of a variety of problems, ranging from hair balls or swallowing an indigestible object to ulcers, stomach cancer, liver disease, kidney disease, lymphosarcoma, or insulinoma.