QUESTION:
I will contact my vet to see whether she recommends antibiotics. I feed them Totally Ferret kibble. This may be an obvious question, but how would FERRETZYME help with the gingivitis? PS What areas of my ferrets' teeth should I be brushing?

ANSWER:
Cleaning teeth by brushing may not be the best thing especially if the brush is very coarse, it could do more damage to the gums. The reason I suggested Ferretzyme is the fact that it breaks down the food and will help with digestion, in this way there will be less debris on the teeth to cause decay or gum problems. Diet plays a major role in the condition of the teeth and gums. In the wild the ferret would naturally eat the whole carcass, but normally would leave it for several days for the natural enzymes to break down the food, then consume it. Ferretzyme has been designed to help with the process, since most enzymes have been destroyed by manufacturing the food. Gingivitis is an infection that may need antibiotics to clear it up, but you need to find out WHAT it is that has caused it, brushing too hard could be one reason.

QUESTION:
My ferrets are two years old and they both have gingivitis. I know they have it because there is a thin red line along the margins of the gum and teeth that starts to bleed a little, when I brush their teeth. How often should I brush their teeth considering they have gingivitis? Is there any toothpaste/gel that you would recommend that works well in getting rid of the bacteria? Also, what do you think is the best method for brushing ferrets' teeth? I use a cotton swab because I was told to use that by my vet, but I don't think it cleans very well. Do I have to brush any of their bottom teeth? What are all the areas of their teeth that I should be brushing?

ANSWER:
If you really think they have gingivitis they may need a round of antibiotics and your vet would be the best one to discuss that with. We have natural products on HERE'S TO HEALTHLY PETS for dogs made by Wysong, you could email to see if they would be safe to use on the ferrets. What kind of food are you feeding? You might want to add FERRETZYME to help break down the food in the system to be digested more readily, it sounds as if that may be at the root of the problem.