The Modern Ferret
  • 0
  • Ferret Beginners
  • Best Supplies
  • Bite Training
  • Etsy store
  • Ferret Stickers
  • Learn
    • Our Mission
    • Blog
    • Can My Ferrets Get Coronavirus?
    • Best Ferret Cage: Real Owners Review
    • Ferret for Sale – Where to Buy Ferrets
    • Funny
    • Inspiration
    • Health
    • Nutrition
    • Education
    • Training
    • Product Reviews
  • Contact
*This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn a small commission when you click on links at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting our mission!

Ferret Heart Disease: Symptoms and Treatment

By Haley on February 4, 2020

Welcome to our series on Common Ferret Illnesses, and specifically our deep-dive into ferrets suffering from heart disease. In this article, you will learn what causes it, the most common symptoms, and which ferrets are most at risk.

What is Heart Disease?

Dilated cardiomyopathy is a form of heart disease in ferrets that causes damage to the heart muscle. The heart will enlarge and weaken, causing the heart to become less efficient at pumping. Some vets believe it is caused by nutritional deficiencies.

Symptoms:

  • Fluid build up in chest and belly
  • Low body temperature
  • Frequent rest during play
  • Decreased appetite
  • Coughing
  • Pale gums
  • Difficultly breathing

Most at Risk:

Ferrets over the age of 3 are most likely to develop heart disease. If a ferret is fed an improper diet, they are also more at risk.

How Do You Treat Ferret Heart Disease?

There is no cure or vaccine to prevent ferret heart disease. Ferrets with dilated cardiomyopathy can live 2-3 years after diagnosis with proper treatment.

Your vet will most likely perform an ultrasound to take a look at your ferret’s heart in order to confirm the diagnosis. If your ferret does in fact have dilated cardiomyopathy, their heart will look bigger and rounder than usual.

As with most diseases, the best thing you can do for your ferret is provide them with the healthiest diet you can afford, and keep stress to a minimum.

ferretferret healthferret illnesses
Posted in Health, Uncategorized.
Share

Recent Comments

  • natasha woodford on How to Test Ferret Blood Glucose at HOME!
  • angel on 21 Cute Ferret Photos That Will Make You Smile

Recent Posts

  • Why Ferrets Are The Best Pets To Have | Pros & Cons of Ferret Ownership
  • What’s The True Cost of a Ferret? | Detailed Breakdown of The Average Cost of Ferrets
  • Best Ferret Vets Near me | Crowdsourced List of Trusted Exotic Vets
PreviousFerret Adrenal Disease: Surprising Signs
NextDoes Your Ferret Have Dental Disease?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Related Posts

  • ferret name ideas
    February 11, 2020

    451 Cute Ferret Name Ideas

    We asked over 400 ferret owners around the world help us brainstorm the best ferret name ideas. If you are looking to find the perfect name for your ferret, look no further than the list below! Are you new to ferrets? Check out our Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Ferrets where we teach you everything you ever …

  • February 7, 2020

    21 Cute Ferret Photos That Will Make You Smile

    Here’s our latest round up of cute ferret photos from around the world! We hope these make your day brighter 🙂 Where do these submissions come from? We asked ferret owners from around the globe to submit hilarious, cute ferret photos for our weekly Ferret Feature Newsletter. Share your support for their amazing creativity in …

  • ferret tinder funny
    February 13, 2020

    The Best Ferret Tinder Profiles

    ‘Tis the season of love and it’s time the world finally gave us Ferret Tinder so our naughty little pets can find the love they deserve. I can’t be the only one wondering who my ferrets would swipe right on… WARNING: Some of these profiles get a little *spicy* …If ferrets could ever be NSFW, …

  • best ferret cage ideas
    February 20, 2020

    Best Ferret Cage: Real Owners Review

    One of the most important things you can invest in is the best ferret cage possible. We reached out to real ferret owners around the world to pick their brains on what makes a good ferret cage and which brand they recommend. First, we will teach you what makes a good ferret cage (so you …

  • Blog
  • Press
  • Ferret Stickers
  • Etsy store
  • FAQ
  • Contact
  • © 2023 The Modern Ferret
  • New Ferret Owners START HERE!
  • 🔥 Top Recommended Supplies
  • How to Stop Ferret Biting
  • Learn
  • About
  • Contact
  • My Account

    Log in

    Lost your password?

    Or
    Create an account

    Register

    A link to set a new password will be sent to your email address.

    Or
    Log in