|
Post by eclipso on Nov 14, 2022 9:50:32 GMT -5
Hello, this is just wondering, but would it be favorable to neuter a 2-3 year old intact ferret that is big? Like really big? Also is being that big bad for them? The terms here are very vague, but you get it right?
|
|
|
Post by unclejoe on Nov 14, 2022 20:16:41 GMT -5
I would say it depends on several factors. Whether he is alone, or with other neutered makes, or around females. I've never had an intact ferret (I had one that was neutered at 9 months, just before he came here. He was around 4 lb average wt). If he is going to be around the ladies, I would suggest it. Seasonal rutting can make them a bit crazy as well. Has this male been de-scented? Not really sure where you are going with this... Why is this just being considered at this age? It shouldn't be really risky.
|
|
|
Post by Corvidophile on Nov 14, 2022 20:48:16 GMT -5
The fatter an animal is, the riskier anesthesia becomes. This goes for people too. It’s dosed by weight, and then monitored and adjusted throughout the surgery, but it isn’t handled by the body on a 1:1 ratio. A large but thin ferret requires more than a medium sized but fat ferret to go under, even if they weigh the same. But modern medicine DOES dose them the same. If possible, have him trim a little weight off before getting him neutered.
I think with ferrets being seasonal and hormonal animals, it’s ok to let them change weights a bit as the light and temperature fluctuates. But I don’t think I’d let them swing more than 20% difference above their ideal weight. I think that might be bad for their body’s overall health. I have not read up on this in ferrets in particular, just cat and dog husbandry.
|
|
|
Post by eclipso on Nov 15, 2022 9:49:41 GMT -5
A bit more information:
It's an adult male that has just arrived at my local ferret rescue. They want to neuter him to help with his health, but I don't know if he has anything specific or if it's just general for the neuter. I'm just wondering if this is a good choice for him. He's not in contact with females.
|
|
|
Post by Corvidophile on Nov 15, 2022 20:23:29 GMT -5
If you don’t have a good medical work up of him to look over, there’s no way to tell. It’s not like females where they need medical care if they’re left intact, males just are more annoying from a people perspective when they’re intact. On the whole- They’re smellier, more oily, and more hyped up, sometimes to the point of being aggressive. But not all ferrets are affected the same. You can chemically and temporarily neuter him with a Suprelorin implant, I think it lasts up to a couple of years when used for this purpose. But it’s more expensive than just giving him the snip.
Shelters often have the belief that all non-breeding animals should be neutered, so take their opinion on doing it for his health with a grain of salt.
|
|
|
Post by unclejoe on Nov 16, 2022 17:40:46 GMT -5
I'm curious: Has this hob been de-scented? A hob poof is something every ferrant should get to experience once, even if it's not their hob. To me it smells like a mix of diesel and week old road kill.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry Stone on Nov 19, 2022 10:17:16 GMT -5
Honestly, I'd look at chemical neutering instead it possible. It lasts anywhere from 1-3 years and will give you time to decide as well as helping ward off adrenal disease
|
|
|
Post by eclipso on Nov 29, 2022 14:09:15 GMT -5
He hasn't been descended, and I agree that chemical neutering would be better... but he's not mine so we'll see what the rescue does.
|
|
|
Post by unclejoe on Nov 29, 2022 17:26:33 GMT -5
I believe that intact males get bigger than altered one. Jaffa was a late-alter, private-bred male, and he was the biggest ferret I've had by a good 2 lb. I've had Marshall males that were 1/2 his size.
|
|