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Post by bishop24 on Feb 5, 2018 1:30:13 GMT -5
Our male ferret has a very... special scent. He’s developed a distinct sweaty gym locker smell, especially around his male area.
Since switching to raw his usual ferrety odour is gone and I was hoping that bath time wouldn’t have to happen anymore because he hates getting wet. But it’s getting to the point where we can find him based on the smell 😭
And please, don’t get me wrong, I still love every bit of him and would never turn him away from cuddle time. I just think he might be lacking in the self grooming department 😅
Is there an easier way to freshen him up? What should I wash him with? Why does he smell like BO?!
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pegleg
Junior Member
Raw and Whole Prey Feeder
Posts: 180 
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Post by pegleg on Feb 5, 2018 2:23:38 GMT -5
I find my ferret's smell can change from time to time. All of my gang always have a ferrety smell if I hold them up to my nose, but really I don't notice it much otherwise haha. Is he fixed? I know that non fixed/descented ferrets have the ability to poof out bad smells. Mine are all from Marshalls or Real Canadian in the case of my girl, so all of them have had their scent glands responsible for that removed.
If you wash him I'd say just water, but I also know washing ferrets can make them stink worse. I've only ever done it after the brats decided to get liver and pancreas sludge all over themselves.
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Post by Sherry on Feb 5, 2018 7:23:56 GMT -5
I almost hate to say this, but that sounds like adrenal stink. How old is he?
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Post by bishop24 on Feb 5, 2018 10:11:34 GMT -5
He’s a 18 month old Marshall’s boy. So he is fixed and descented. It’s strange because I was also a bit concerned in the summer that his coat was pretty sparse, especially around his shoulders but it really thickened up in the winter. I’m not sure if it matters but he is also very much a warrdy ferret. Here is a pic of him in the fall  |
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Post by Heather on Feb 5, 2018 21:58:44 GMT -5
I'm afraid that I'm agreeing with Sherry. I know he's young for this but he's not the youngest ferret I've ever heard of getting adrenal. I heard the youngest on record was 9 months of age and yes, it was medically proven. Katt's little fellow was diagnosed at 18 months. We concluded at the time that the combination of daylight and the amount of artificial light (Alaskan summer and winter) might have been the cause as to why her boys became adrenal at such an early age. The smell you describe is adrenal  the distorted smell of a hob in season ciao |
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Post by Sherry on Feb 6, 2018 7:23:28 GMT -5
He is young. But unfortunately not too young. Just from that pic I'd be treating for adrenal disease. Don't bother with getting an adrenal panel. Far too many false negatives. Find a vet who is willing to implant and redo the des every 6m like clockwork.
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Post by bishop24 on Feb 6, 2018 11:26:13 GMT -5
Oh poop, he already has had surgery for bladder stones and was sick and needed antibiotics. Are some ferrets just more prone to health problems or are we doing something wrong?! Our other two girls haven’t had any health problems. He is such a good ferret too!
Do you think he can wait a month to get the implant? We are in limbo with our finances for a bit and hopefully it will get sorted out soon but I know that des implants are a bit pricey.
We have a good vet too and I’ll call him and inquire.
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Post by Heather on Feb 6, 2018 21:32:53 GMT -5
It would help to treat sooner than later but he should be fine. Just remember the sooner you treat the sooner you can stall the tumour's growth.
Yes, unfortunately, like humans some ferrets don't seem to be able to cut a break. The one thing you may think about or consciously check....the number of hours of lighting your ferrets get. That's natural daylight and evening artificial light and what type of lighting your ferrets are subjected to. Check your lights to see if the lighting colour is not blue or green lighting. This is particularly hard on a ferret
ciao
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