Lethargic, unplayful ferret

[pondering]

Hello! Recently I’ve been taking care of a lovely little man named Fin who is nearing seven years old. I’m completely new to ferrets, and I’m not alone in this, but he’s been in my home for about two months and I have tried my best to learn as much as possible in order to properly accommodate the mischievous man!

In the process, I have of course fallen in love.

However, in the past couple of weeks especially, I’ve noticed that he has almost completely been ignoring his kibble and treats, and will only really eat when given carnivore care powder mixed with chicken broth. Old man loved his soup. He seems almost completely uninterested in playing, even when given access to different rooms, brought outside, or hooked up to his harness for walks. He is lethargic, and is definitely sleeping at least 20 hours. He has been good about consistently pooping in the litter box, but he’s peeing a lot outside of it.

I am chalking this all up to his advanced age, but today I was trying to play with him by tickling his tummy or “rough housing” with him on the couch (gently tickling and moving him around) as it got a pretty good response and some dooks only as short a time ago as January - but he’s been totally uninterested! He just wants to lay down. Also, I noticed that his hair came out only just this evening when I was trying to tickle him!

Everything has been to no avail. He doesn’t go into his tube, he hasn’t done the war dance in at least 6 weeks, and I’m just worried! Is this normal to expect from a Marshal bred Petco ferret at almost 7 years, who the vet just last month said was in healthy condition with great fur? (It’s so fluffy!)

Please help assure or assistance a new ferret owner!

[Corvidophile]

Doesn’t hurt to check his blood sugar, it could be insulinoma. With loss of fur on touch, it could also be adrenal disease. But it might just be shedding as the days get longer, they can blow their coats all at once when the seasons change. Is the peeing outside the litterbox a sudden change? Could have a UTI, an enlarged prostate from adrenal disease, or a bladder stone. What brand of food do you feed him?

And of course, he is seven. That’s old for a ferret. Any number of things could be happening in his body to slow him down. In the meantime, keep feeding him plenty of soup.

[unclejoe]

I agree with Corvidophile. I would at least get his blood glucose checked. I've had 32 ferrets, and 7 is defintely senior citizen. Insulinoma is cheap to treat. Good luck

[pondering]

He is very happy to sleep on my lap. Today I came home and saw that he totally ignored the litter boxes even including pooping. I checked his anus to see if it was protruding, but it seemed normal. Nothing is changed so I doubt the little man is stressed.

He is fed an organic all meat kibble, I threw out the bag and can’t remember the name! But he only really wats carnivore care mixed with chicken broth, I think it’s because he has a rotten tooth.

On another note, do I not need to worry that he is barely active because of his age? Or should I get him checked?

[Corvidophile]

Oh, well the rotten tooth could explain all of it, is it not ready to be pulled? They can go septic and poison the pet rapidly. Do get his glucose checked at least.

[silentdook]

A senior ferret with changes like that needs a wellness check. Fast him 3 hours before the appt for a blood glucose check, and have that tooth looked at. Best wishes and thank you for taking care of a senior.

[unclejoe]

Get that tooth checked out ASAP. I lost one to a broken canine that got infected. The original break was just the tip, but it wore down over time to expose the pulp.

[dookskywalker]

I'm not sure where people read about a chipped tooth but yeah it would explain the lethargy. Like a human, it will need to be pulled because it could get infected and even if it isn't infected yet, it could be sensitive and cause him pain and will likely get infected. Other users are right on about the possible adrenal or insulinoma. Not sure what to make of any of it because you said the vet said he's okay? Second vet opinion is warranted. Seven is senior and they start to sleep more, but they won't be that disinterested.