Kinda worried about Vixen

[whipple]

She's very sleepy. I let them out when I get home and usually she's right there, but for the past couple weeks she's preffered to sleep, not getting up unless prompted.
Now I can understand the love of a good sleep. But she even goes to bed early on her own. When she's out she acts much older than I was led to believe she is (Around 6 ish months or so).
There's nothing else wrong with her that I can tell. Oh! Shes a bit wobbly when she first wakes up, but after a few steps she's fine. But again, my balance isn't so great when I first walk to the toilet.

So anyone have any idea. I honestly don't want to take her to a vet for them to say she's fine, just loves sleep.

[Sherry]

I gather she's eating/drinking/peeing/pooping just fine? And is active otherwise?
Is she showing any signs of pain? Rubbing her face on things, pawing the mouth, etc?

[Heather]

You're saying she's about 6 months? or 6 yrs? If she's 6 months and she's sleeping all the time...get her to the vet now. With the number of juvenile lymphomas cases I'm seeing, I would far rather be told by the vet that I'm being overprotective than finding my little one so sick I can't do anything for her. A kit at 6 months should be active and happy, not sleeping all the time, nor should she stagger when she's first awakened. Minion is 5 months old and is active despite his prolapse (which he's getting surgery for next week) If she's 6 years then I would be checking for other possible symptoms. If she's 6 yrs then I would still be getting a BG done to rule out insulinoma. If you're not positive as to her age, I would be getting a BG done to rule out insulinoma. It's a cheap test and the solution is simple though realizing that your little one is running on a shortened life expectancy. No, ferret staggers when it's healthy.
ciao

[katt]

Do you know for sure how old she is? You can get a rough estimate of her age by checking her teeth.

[miamiferret2]

Staggering / wobbling is never good. Sleeping too much is also not good. Neither is a young ferret going to sleep early when everyone else is playing. Young healthy ferrets will play until they are exhausted. They fight to stay awake. I would take her to the vet.

[Deleted]

Yong ferret, sleeps to much, reminds me of something I once read of a sleepy ferret. It was in fact, very sick, but I don't remember what with. My guess is insanoma, a tummer, lack of nutrients, I just don't remember.

[miamiferret2]

Whipple: i would really take her to the vet.
look at her teeth. do they look yellowish? are the fangs more translucent at the tips? or are they more translucent midway up the tooth? if they are, then you probably have a ferret that is much older than 6 months! it is very common for people who want to get rid of their animals to lie and say that the animal is much younger than it is. alot of people will discriminate and will not want to take an older animal.
wobbling staggering when first waking up is a sign of insulinoma. very common in older ferrets especially if they were fed kibble. (unfortunately, i know from first hand experience).
i think that it is important for you to take her to the vet and have her blood glucose tested on a 4 hour fast.
does she seem to recover and walk straight after she has been up for a while?


things to look for:
1) has your ferret eaten anything that she is not supposed to? check bedding, toys, etc. anything chewed or eaten?
2) feel her belly how does it feel? soft and mushy or hard?
3) is she eating normally?
4) how does her poop look? seedy looking? mucousy? green, yellow, brown, blackish? any black "coffee grounds" in the stool or black strings?
5) is she grinding her teeth? (they make like a sand-papery sound with their teeth)
6) are her eyes watery?
7) how is her breathing?
8) any coughing? pawing at the mouth? gagging?

of course, none of these questions will take the place of veterinary care! but these are things to check for so that you can properly inform your vet when you go see her.

[whipple]

I'm going to be taking her to the vet asap. I will let you know whats happening.

[Sherry]

Please do keep us updated?