Let’s talk about reproduction in ferrets and why they are so unique!
When a female ferret goes into season, usually between March and September, you will see signs such as a swollen vulva and vulval discharge. If the season has been going on a while, then you can see hair loss around the groin and inner thigh area. Female ferrets are induced ovulators. Induced ovulation means they require a stimulus to cause ovulation otherwise they will remain in a constant state of being in season. This extended season can cause the levels of the hormone oestradiol to increase which will lead to bone marrow suppression which results in a reduction in blood cell production that can cause reduced numbers of red and white blood cells and platelets. This condition is known as pancytopenia and if left untreated can sadly result in death.
- This issue of pancytopenia can be “solved” by having an intact male ferret, known as a hob, to naturally mate with the female, known as a jill. This will allow the jill to ovulate and in an average of 42 days there will be around eight kits running around! As cute as this would be it is not always practical or easy to have young ferrets to look after every year so what other options are available?
- There is the option, like dogs and cats, to surgically neuter your ferret. This would require a general anaesthetic and a small surgical incision made in the middle of the jills abdomen or over the testicles of the hob and their ovaries or testicles are safely removed to reduce the hormone influence on your pet. They will then need to be rested for a few weeks to allow the wound to heal. However, there is a known risk with surgical neutering of the ferret where they can develop a disease known as hyperadrenocorticism which can make your ferret very unwell, for this reason this isn't recommended anymore but we are happy to discuss the pros and cons to your individual needs.
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- A safer option for ferrets is to place a deslorelin implant under the skin to suppress ovarian activity. These implants, depending on size, can last for 18 months to 4 years. The implant needle is the same size as a microchip needle and due to the wriggly nature of ferrets they require a short sedation to allow the implant to be placed safely.
- Another option is to perform a vasectomy on a hob, this surgical procedure means there is reduced risk of pregnancy with the jill, there is also no increased risk in adrenal disease following surgical neutering but does require a general anaesthetic for the surgery. Another downside of a vasectomy, is if a female mates with a vasectomised hob, known as a hobble, the jill can potentially go through aggressive pseudo-pregnancy behaviours as she will think she is pregnant.
At Apex Vets, we strongly recommend the implant as this is the safest and most effective way that we can prevent your ferret going into season. The implant is best placed in October or November when we are out of the breeding season, and you can get the longest course of action at this time. However, if your ferret is already in season and you are concerned of bone marrow suppression there is an injection that we can give that will help bring the jill out of season and then we can arrange to manage future seasons with yourself and make sure your ferret lives a long, happy life.
