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Post by cannuck on Apr 3, 2011 13:12:51 GMT -5
Hi! We just recently adopted a young female ferret. We have been reading about them and spent some time with them before adopting. We wanted a male and were told this was an intact male (not descented) which was fine with us. I trusted and didn't look until getting home but I am 100% certain she is a she.  She is super friendly and curious and active. We are in love with her already. Our concern is when she goes in to heat eventually. Our vet will only neuter males he will not spay females so we will have no idea what to do! I have read that this can kill them? When is their normal heat cycle? How much time might we have? |
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 13:21:27 GMT -5
Hello! First off, welcome to the forum and congrats on your new baby! Does she/he have a small belly button on their tummy? If so, they're male  May I ask where you got this baby? Because most petstores sell fixed and descented pets. And most pet store employees are not the most knowledgeable about ferrets, so maybe they were mistaken. If she isn't fixed, I would look into a chemical alter rather than a spay. By leaving the reproductive organs intact, you should be able to avoid adrenal disease, which seems to be tightly intertwined with neuter/spay. I've got to run, but I'll be back and post more info on that (and some studies about it ) |
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Post by whipple on Apr 3, 2011 13:22:53 GMT -5
Hello, and welcome. I'm also in Canada, Edmonton, AB actually. Where did you get an intact ferret in Canada? Its the first time I've heard that  Anyhow, have you tried other vets? How old is she now? How do you know she is a she? And of course do you have pics? |
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Post by whipple on Apr 3, 2011 13:23:56 GMT -5
I thought it had more to do with early spay/neuter. So what is chemical spay? I just know females can be given a shot or something to take them out of heat.
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Post by sherik on Apr 3, 2011 13:26:27 GMT -5
deslorelin would be used for chemical spay.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 13:29:14 GMT -5
The Des. Implant can be given and it provides a chemical spay, if you will. It has to be given yearly, but if it avoided adrenal, then it would be more than worth it. Early spay/neuter is linked to adrenal, but no matter what, when a ferret is fixed at any age, the adrenal gland goes into overdrive. By postponing spay, or avoiding it, adrenal (theoretically and assuming that it isn't genetic) should be avoided. I'll be back later and post some more info |
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Post by whipple on Apr 3, 2011 13:32:30 GMT -5
Can that be used for both males and females? And can you do it long term and completely avoid spaying/neutering?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 13:34:49 GMT -5
Yes, both female and male can be chemical altered. Theoretically, yes, you should be able to avoid it completely. Though I don't know anyone who has done it. I have a study about it that I'll post later. I believe there is also a study going on looking for data on chemically altered ferret.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 3, 2011 13:35:52 GMT -5
Actually, I'll probably make a thread about it in the medical section (to avoid further hijacking this thread and welcome)  ;D |
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Post by whipple on Apr 3, 2011 13:40:07 GMT -5
Oh yeah, sorry Cannuck  But seriously, pictures?  |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 3, 2011 13:54:07 GMT -5
Hi and welcome  If you DID get baby from a pet store, he/she is most definitely altered/descented. Or if the person you got him/her from bought him there. Only way to get an unaltered ferret is directly from a breeder. As for a vet, if you can let us know where you are approx, we can likely match you up with one who's hopefully not too far from you And yes, pics are most definitely mandatory ;D Also- please feel free to browse, post, ask questions! We've got a ton of info on here, so make yourself at home |
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Post by cannuck on Apr 3, 2011 14:02:29 GMT -5
Not the best picture as she was more interested in the camera than posing lol!
We adopted/purchased her off a local classified. We don't actually have many pet stores in this area that sell ferrets. They are pretty hard to come by.
I honestly am not 100% sure if she is unaltered or not. We were told she was a fully intact male but there is no penis or scrotum, I do however see a vulva near her bum so...we were misled or the people had no idea. So I am assuming she is unaltered and wanting to plan rather than wait find her in heat and not know what to do.
I am very interested in your information on chemical alter. Perhaps I can take it to the vet and get them to find out more!
I like to be prepared, rather than wait until it is nearly too late if that makes sense! Lol!
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Post by Heather on Apr 3, 2011 14:04:15 GMT -5
Hi and welcome from a fellow Canadian. If you have an intact male there should be no question at this time of year  they're rather obvious ;D If it is a female she will be in season very shortly if not now. Where are you located? (you don't have to be specific but we may be able to find you a vet who will do a spay, my vet will do both spay and alter, he's also going to be learning how to do vhobs too). You can also do a chemical spay/alter if you choose as was previously suggested. Please feel free to prowl around, check out the threads, read through, ask questions. Everyone's friendly and they really enjoy photos (you may want to send a belly shot, so that we can help you confirm gender feel free to;)...basically for the boys you look for "bellybutton" ;D. Photos are always enjoyed and appreciated. ciao |
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Post by Sherry on Apr 3, 2011 14:04:19 GMT -5
Understandable! How old is she about? And...you forgot the pic?  |
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Post by cannuck on Apr 3, 2011 14:13:03 GMT -5
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She is super friendly and curious and active. We are in love with her already. Our concern is when she goes in to heat eventually. Our vet will only neuter males he will not spay females so we will have no idea what to do! I have read that this can kill them? When is their normal heat cycle? How much time might we have? 
;D
