Ferrets in season

RE: Ferrets in season

Anthony Dennison — Fri, 07 Jul 2017 11:05:07 GMT

Luckily one of our nurses stepped up - her daughter has a hob for the ferrets so that's the problem sorted!

I would normally spay, just didn't know if it was different when they're in season. Thanks everyone for the advice.

RE: Ferrets in season

Niall Taylor — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 20:34:17 GMT

[quote user="Anthony Dennison"]Client has a couple of female ferrets that have just come in to season. What is the current consensus with what to do with them - spay them now, delvosterone then spay later? Trying to find a vasectomised hob to mate them but it's proving difficult at the moment. [/quote]

Spay them.

If they go on to develop adrenal disease then you can start regular suprelorin implants, if they don't (and many ferrets, spayed late, wont) then it's win-win.

The other alternative, which seems quite fashionable these days, is to start life-long suprelorin implants insead of spaying. This seems a bit silly to me given that many spayed ferrets lead happy lives with no adrenal disease and without the need for regular implants.

Niall

RE: Ferrets in season

Gillian Mostyn — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 20:25:02 GMT

[quote user="Catriona MacIntyre"]I have several clients who do just opt for a delvo jag once or twice a year.[/quote]

If you obey the 'discard immediately after opening' rule this is very expensive. If you don't....it makes those of us who do look like we're overcharging....!!!!

RE: Ferrets in season

Catriona MacIntyre — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 16:14:53 GMT

I would give Delvosterone now and then take some time to discuss how to manage oestrus from now.

I have several clients who do just opt for a delvo jag once or twice a year. Another does opt to spay unless she is going to breed from them. Neutered ferrets do have a higher incidence of adrenal disease (sorry no reference to hand), and many vets now recommend using Suprelorin implants instead. They do need replacing every 18-24 months as far as I know, and a general anaesthetic is required.

I haven't used the Suprelorin option yet, mostly because my clients have not been keen on the repeat general anaesthetics.