Fennec Foxes Deanne Strat, DVMPhotos and edited by Susan Horton, DVMClassificationFennec foxes are in the canidae family, closely related to the red and artic fox. They live 12-16 years and reach sexual maturity at 9-11 mos. The female is known as a “vixen” and a male [...]

Bob’s Chicken Gravy (Chicken Baby Food) by Bob Church Baby food is expensive (Gerber chicken is about 80 cents per small jar), but you can make your own by boiling chicken in as little water as possible, boning it, then blending the meat, fat, and skin [...]

Lymphoma In Ferrets by ​Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians: aemv.org Lymphosarcoma (also known as lymphoma) is a cancer of the lymphatic system.  The lymphatic system is responsible for filtering debris from the death of cells and bacteria, and production of antibodies to help fight disease.  Tumors that affect [...]

Insulinoma in Ferrets by Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians: aemv.org What is an Insulinoma? By Jonathon Bresolin, DVM Insulinoma is a tumor of the pancreas. Specifically, it is a tumor of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone vital to the control of blood sugar [...]

Heartworm Disease in Ferrets by Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians: aemv.org Many people have heard of heartworm disease in dogs, but not everyone is aware that pet cats and ferrets are also at risk of developing this potentially fatal disease.  Heartworm disease is caused by a parasitic worm [...]

Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (HCM) Kristin Claricoates, DVM A cardiomyopathy is a descriptive condition where the muscles of the heart is abnormal.  There are four types of cardiomyopathies: “hypertrophic”, “dilated”, “restrictive” and “right ventricular”.  While hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, or HCM, has typically been recognized by its structure i.e., thickening of the heart muscle, the electrical [...]

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) Kristin Claricoates, DVM The normal heart is shown on the left compared to a heart with dilated cardiomyopathy on the right. Note the increased dimensions of the left ventricle. A cardiomyopathy is a descriptive condition where the muscles of the heart is abnormal.  [...]

Heart Disease in Ferrets Heart disease is relatively common in middle aged to older ferrets.  Symptoms may include decreased appetite, lethargy, generalized or rear leg weakness, labored breathing, purplish or pale gums, coughing, and/or abdominal enlargement from fluid accumulation.  Either weight loss or weight gain (from [...]

Chronic Diarrhea in Ferrets by Association of Exotic Mammal Veterinarians: aemv.org Diarrhea or loose stools are a common diagnosis in pet ferrets.  Some ferrets may appear otherwise normal, or may experience appetite loss, weight loss, dehydration, and abdominal pain. Stools vary in character and color, and may [...]

Ferret Dentistry: Something to Sink Your Teeth Into Kristin Claricoates, DVM; Chicago Exotics Animal HospitalHave you ever heard of doing a dental on a ferret? “Why would ferret teeth need cleaning?” “People brush a ferret’s teeth?!?”  These are all comments we have heard regularly from our [...]