How to treat ferret flu

Ferrets are susceptible to all of the strains of human influenza, including swine flu. In fact, some researchers use ferrets as test subjects when trying to find new vaccines for and information about human influenza. If your ferret has the flu, you can treat its symptoms at home; if things get worse, you may need professional medical help.

Things You'll Need

  • Ferret food
  • Water
  • Meat-flavored baby food
  • Washcloth
  • Salt
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Instructions

    • 1

      Recognize the signs of ferret flu. Ferrets experience the flu just like humans do, so look for human symptoms in your ferret. If it has sneezing, discharge from the eyes and nose, lethargy, fever, diarrhea or vomiting, it could have the flu. It may also exhibit difficulty breathing, wheezing or coughing.

    • 2

      Feed your ferret appetizing foods and provide plenty of fluids. Just as in humans, dehydration is a risk of the flu. Force-feed your ferret foods and fluids if you have to, because it is important for it to have proper nutrition and hydration during his illness. Use a medicine dropper to squeeze water into its mouth, and provide appetizing foods such as its traditional kibble, or meat-flavored baby food. The ferret will have an easier time digesting the baby food, and swallowing will be easier in case its throat is irritated.

    • 3

      Administer a salt treatment for congestion. Soak a washcloth in warm salt water and hold it over the ferret's nose and mouth so she it must breathe it in. The ferret will not appreciate your efforts, but its nasal passages will clear if you repeat this procedure two or three times a day for a few minutes at a time (basically, as long as you can get it to hold still). Avoid getting the salt in your ferret's eyes.

    • 4

      Take your ferret to the vet if symptoms do not improve. Just as with humans, ferret flu should run its course within a week or less. If your ferret's symptoms do not lessen, or if it refuses to eat or drink, take it to the vet. Ferrets are at risk for developing pneumonia from the flu, which can be fatal. Younger and older ferrets are especially susceptible to flu complications. Take your ferret to the vet if you notice yellow or green discharge from its nose, as this can indicate infection. The vet can diagnose the ferret's condition more easily than you can, and prescribe or administer medication as necessary.