QUESTION:
I recently received a 5 year old, male ferret and he hasn't eaten since we got him. He is getting skinny really fast and we're not sure what to do. Do you have any suggestions?

ANSWER:

How long ago did you get him? Did you get the food that he was used to eating? A ferret eats every 3-4 hours and at his age he cannot miss a meal. If he doesn't eat his blood glucose level will drop and he will start to have seizures. Are you leaving food down for him all the time and is he drinking water? You will need to buy him some Gerber's Baby Food (blue label) Chicken or Turkey and give it to him off your finger, try to get him to eat at least 3-4 teaspoonfuls every 3-4 hours. If he will not lick it off your finger, then get an eyedropper and dribble it behind his canine teeth. He has to eat or he will die.

You need to get him to a vet asap if he will not eat, he is either depressed from losing his previous owner, or he is very sick! Please let me know how he is doing and if you need more help?

QUESTION:
I rescued a 1.5 lb female, albino in 1998 while working as a vet tech. Time has been flying by and I just realized that she must be getting old as she was several years old when I got her. She has been a joy to me, my 2 shelties and my white cat "Blizzard". They play together with me several hours a day.

I tried all kinds of ferret food, Marshal's, etc. but the only one she thrives on is Purina One kitten growth and development. The others she lost her hair and got skinny. I was wondering how long ferrets live and do they show signs of aging such as arthritis, etc.? She gets her vaccines every year, flea treatment as needed and of course she showers with me. ( She loves it ) I hope it's ok for her. She's been doing it for years. I put a dab of doggie flea shampoo on her, soap her up, rinse and roll her in a towel and she goes wild, well you know. So how old is old and how can I help to keep her comfortable when she does get old?

ANSWER:
If you have had her 5 years already she is definitely middle aged, if not old! Normally ferrets are considered geriatric about 4 1/2 years, however not all seem old and some can be extremely playful till they are 7-8 years old.

It sounds as if you have a pretty healthy ferret even though 'her choice' of food is not the greatest, she must be doing fine on it. She probably does well because you spend time with her and give her lots of attention. She can live to be 10 or 11 years old, however she may encounter several problems by that time, her quality of life may change.

My ferrets live to 9 years on average, my 11 year old ferret Daniel was just put to sleep about a month ago, he had adrenal disease, pancreatic cancer and arthritis, plus he was blind when I got him at 2 1/2 years old, but he loved life and FOOD and as long as he enjoyed eating, I knew he was fine!

When he didn't want to eat, (even his chicken, I cook whole chickens for all my ferrets and they get it twice a day) I knew it was time. Not only did he NOT want to eat but he hardly got out of his bed and was going to the bathroom in his little 'dream circles' that he loved, so much.

If you notice your ferret slowing down, perhaps not eating as much, sleeping more, or loosing weight or hair, then it is time for a trip to the vet to make sure you are caring for her in the right way. If I can be of any assistance, then please let me know.