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I was quite amazed to think that ferrets could get ulcers, as they seem like such carefree little creatures but yes, they can.
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The causes could be anything from stress to bacterial infection (helicobacter mustelae).
If left untreated the ulcer can cause peritonitis which, in turn, causes death.
Some of the signs to watch out for are:
Lethargy- No interest in food
- Vomiting
- Grinding of teeth
- Thick, black, tarry poop
- Loss of weight
- Appearing rigid when picked up
The treatment for gastric ulcers takes quite a while to complete and you’ll have to feed your ferret a bland, highly digestible diet for about a month, or longer if necessary, until it’s back to normal.
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You can read more on Gastric Ulcers in Ferrets here …
Helicobacter in ferrets **Worth reading as it talks about an ulcer being caused by kidney/renal failure**
Stomach Ulcers in Ferrets (PetMD)
Gastric Ulcers in Ferrets (Arizona Exotic Animal Hospital)
Helicobacter Gastritis and Ulcers in the Ferret by Dr Susan Muller Esneault
Ferret Gastric Ulcer / Helicobacter FAQ (Ferret FAQ)
Gastrointestinal Disease in Ferrets (Pet Care Veterinary Hospital)
Helicobacter (WikiVet)
Stomach Ulcers in Ferrets (WagWalking.com)
You can download a pdf about Helicobacter Infection in Ferrets by Sawnee Animal Clinic HERE. It’d be good to give a vet who might not be particularly ferret-savvy!
(Last updated November 2019)
DISCLAIMER: The information contained on this page is not meant to replace seeing a veterinarian if you think your ferret is ill. It’s only meant to supply general information on a particular illness which was obtained either from personal experience with my sick ferrets, or from books and/or the Internet.
