Chase Ferrets | Ferret rescue based in the midlands (Staffordshire).

Thinking of giving a Ferret a home?

So you want to give a ferret a home. There are a few questions you want to ask yourself before taking one home.

· What do they eat & how much will it cost to feed them?

· How long do they live?

· What sex?

· How many do you want? One or is it best to have two?

· What will they live in & how much will it cost?

· Illness that they are prone to?

· Who will look after the ferret when you go on holiday?

· Neutering?

· Ferret friendly vets?

These are just a few questions you should be asking yourself.

Never go out on a whim and take home the first ferret you see. Have a look around and handle some ferrets. Contact your local rescue centre or reputable breeder. Make sure you have everything ready before taking your new pet home.

Buy a ferret book, look on the Internet and ask any questions.

We at chase ferrets will try and answer any questions you may have.

Moblie: 07967192120

Email: chaseferrets@aol.com

Hob or Jill?

There is little difference in temperament between the sexes. Hobs tend to be twice as large as Jill’s. Hobs do seem to be a lot more placid compared to Jill’s who always seem to be on the go. There may be more variation between individual ferrets than there is between the sexes.

Prolonged Oestrus in Jills is Something You Need To Think About!

There are still people who believe that their ferret must have a litter every time she comes in season or she will die. There is a certain amount of truth that if you do leave your ferret in season for a long period of time that she may die, but you DO NOT NEED TO BREED as there are methods that can bring your Jill out of season with out having to find homes for 6 - 8 kits.

Jill’s come into season between March and September. Ferrets are induced ovulators and need the stimulation of mating to ovulate. If they are not mated they will remain in season. Remaining in season results in high levels of oestradiol, which leads to bone marrow suppression, pancytopenia and eventual death.

There are methods of bringing your ferret out of season which include; the Jill jab which will need to be administered by your veterinary surgeon (there is a chance that your Jill may come back into season that same year and may require a second injection), use of vasectomised hob who will bring your Jill out of season with no kits produced (but there is a chance she may have a false pregnancy) or you may decide to have your jill speyed which will rule out the health problems related to the season.

NEUTERING OF THE FERRET.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Neutering Your Ferret.

· Both Hobs & Jills can be neutered from 6 months of age.

· The Jill must be out of season before being speyed.

Advantages.

Prevent any unwanted mating.
Prevent roaming.
Lower the risk of reproductive organ tumours (testicular and mammary).
Prevent womb infections (Pyometra).
Prevent prolonged oestrus in Jills.
No unwanted attention while the Jill is in season.
Reduction of dominance and aggression (if neutered at a young age).
Stop phantom pregnancy’s and changes in behaviour associated with it.
Reduces odour for both Hobs & Jills.

Disadvantages.

Anaesthetic risk.
A pre-op check is required to confirm your pet is healthy.
Weight gain. Food reduction will prevent this occuring.

Further Information.

Before you book your pet in for the procedure your pet will require a pre-anaesthetic check. with your Veterinary Surgeon.

If you have any further questions please speak to your Veterinary Surgeon or Nurse, who would be happy to discuss any problems or worries that you may have.

If you are thinking of having your hob vasectomised please make sure that when you book him in for the operation that they book him in for a vasectomy and not castration! Do not use your hob to service your jill until at least 6 weeks after the procedure as they do carry reservse! Always try your hob with one jill to be certain the operation was a success.

Written by Angela Palmer Trainee Veterinary Nurse.