Ferrets are inquisitive pets that explore the world with their mouths.  Commonly, they chew off pieces of toys or furniture as they play.  In some cases, they may swallow a chunk of these objects and it goes on to cause problems.  They are also amazing furry vacuum cleaners and it is a wonder at the sorts of things they find and swallow even in a household that is meticulous about cleaning!  The backs of earrings, string, sewing thread and needles, the metal C-clips at the end of sausage or dough casings, washers, stuffing from a stuffed toy, squeakers from toys, rubber bands, pieces of tennis balls, pieces of Nerf footballs, screws, rawhide, and marbles are just a few of the many things that have been removed from ferret stomachs.

It is also common to find hair balls in ferrets and it is suspected that this is due to a disorder of the stomach motility or some other primary gastrointestinal problem wherein the normal amount of hair a ferret removes by daily grooming simply does not pass through the gastrointestinal tract like it should.  A small amount of Laxotone or similar product may help prevent hairballs in susceptible ferrets.

Once a ferret has swallowed an object, there is a chance that it may lodge in the stomach or intestine.  If it does, the ferret may start to vomit frequently.  Vomiting is never normal in a ferret so unless a hair ball is quickly brought up and the vomiting stops, it is a sign that your ferret needs to see us or another veterinarian quickly.  A ferret with a GI forein body that has caused an obstruction usually produces less stool than normal.  It may or may not develop diarrhea.  If you see a piece of thread or string hanging out of your ferret's anus, DO NOT PULL ON IT!  Although it may pass naturally with the next bowel movement, string or thread often causes serious damage by causing the intestine to bunch up around it and then saw through the sides of the intestine.

Some ferrets may act perfectly fine with a GI foreign body other than the vomiting while some become lethargic and grind their teeth in pain.  A ferret in pain is a ferret that needs emergency care as soon as possible.

The green arrows point to foreign objects that are stuck in this ferret's small intestine.

Pieces of a plastic children's toy were removed from the ferret's small intestine.

X-ray films and other tests may be needed to confirm the presence of a GI foreign body in your ferret.  Some of these objects, particularly hair balls, may be removed from the stomach using an endoscope.  GI foreign bodies that are in the intestine need surgery to be removed.

Copyright 2008
Kevin Wright and Jay Johnson
Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital, LLC
744 N Center Street
Mesa, AZ 85203
info@azeah.com