Aging your ferret by their teeth

[Deleted]

Heather she hasn't as far as I know from me or the shelter, but perhaps her previous owners had it done prior to surrendering her in April. I unfortunately don't know much of anything about her life before then other than that her owners gave up her group due to moving.

I'm definitely going to monitor her for any funky signs or symptoms even more now that I know she's in the susceptible age range. Thanks for your help!!

[Deleted]

You know it is weird how clean her teeth look and her molars and top of her teeth.

This is my 5yr olds teeth, definitely not as clean (forgive the gum redness he has gingivitis)



Notice the dark spots on his molars and the dirty brown spots at the top of his canine (near his gums).

[Heather]

Some of the problems we encounter with teeth in our ferrets are similar to humans. Genetics plays a role too as does prenatal care. You're going to encounter ferrets who cage rage and have never even chipped a tooth but another ferret will do the same thing once and break canines. Diet is a key component but it's not the only consideration. There is its own present diet but the diet that it's mother had and the age of the mother, how many litters she's had, how much calcium the kits got when they were nursing. A jill drained from having too many litters back to back will produce kits with poorer bone structure and teeth, than a very young jill who's just produced her first litter.
ciao

[Deleted]

@julesalot definitely interesting... I'd almost wonder if she previously were on raw? But then someone knowledgeable/dedicated to their pets probably wouldn't surrender them because they're "moving and didn't take the ferrets with." I know you ladies are good at telling if a ferret is on raw through photos, here photos.petfinder.com/photos/pets/29171401/2/?bust=1399567020.jpg is her group, I assume at their intake in April. They don't seem to have the full fluffiness of a raw fed kid, correct?

[Deleted]

I doubt it, simply because most people on raw are strong dedicated owners and wouldn't leave them stranded. It's a possibility but to me not a high one.

Hard to tell anything from coat, it depends a lot on season too. (the boy in the middle looks SO much like my Caillou, even has white tippy toe, hehe)

Perhaps Coconut was the result of a ferrets first litter, so her mother wasn't as worn. Maybe she just has good teeth, maybe her previous owner had her teeth cleaned, there are a lot of possibilities. But be happy you won't need a cleaning anytime soon for her, that's $$$! Haha

[Heather]

Guess what? you're both wrong lol....don't feel bad but two of my surrenders, Boris and Natasha were raw fed from the time they were purchased from the pet store. Their owner took them on while pregnant and then decided it would be too much work just before she gave birth. Never underestimate people....or maybe overestimate. A raw fed ferret can be as easily dumped as a kibble. Usually you're correct but it takes all types .
ciao

[Deleted]

@julesalot haha I don't even want to know what my vet's office would charge for it

I like that it's a recurring theme that the girls I rescue are little toughies

[Deleted]

Eh I'm used to being wrong, quite a lot (shy)
Raw is a lot of work, but I guess it's if you think it (and them) are worth it.

My Vet charges $120 for a cleaning, but still, I don't have that laying around, it's either they have food, or they have clean teeth. LOL.

[Deleted]

Taz had cage rage real bad i was told his or akikos age just they werent let out much. One of his fangs is the same length of his front teeth. Him and akiko have less clarity than my 1 year olds which leads me to believe they are under 1 year. I agree it does take all types to surrender. Bandit and smokey came from a 3 story mansion on a small lake. Looks are decieving though there was about 4 generations of the family living there. The house reeked of cat pee and they were proud of meow mix. Who would have thought.

[Deleted]

Has he been to the Vet for that? That far of a break hits the nerve and can cause pain. If no pain he is at risk for infection caused by a dead tooth.

Looks really can be deceiving, it's not always the rich person with all the resources. It can be the person who doesn't pay the bills so their dog can eat raw (raises hand).

[Deleted]

On The intial scruff and investagate teeth day 1 i didnt see any open part of his tooth like a nerve exposed he chews on that side no problem and the tooth itself is still bright white. Everyone is getting a check up starting in janurary i will get it looked at. I have emergency account for them but since it has been bothering him i didnt see any alarm.

[Deleted]

I wouldn't risk an infection, my girl has a possible tooth broken too high and is getting it checked in a week or two even though it's been like that for at least 3 mo, and it doesn't bother her. I need another infectious ferret like I need cockroaches infecting my house :puke: LOL

Although I don't have an emergency fund, getting it on Dec 26th, and so if something needs removing it'll happen then, but I'm at least getting the Vet to take a look and make sure it's okay to wait or if I even need to worry about it.
Ferrets, they're cute, fluffy, bank drainers.

[Deleted]

He is going after Tonto and gaz my oldest ones. I know they cost so much but its love. Actully tonto going is my christmas present i will be posting panels and reports for every one as they go so i can get eveyones advice thats been through whats coming for my bunch.

[lefertmama]

My second ferret Tarot broke a tooth, we don't know how it happened, but he broke it near in half, he was free roaming. The vet had to remove the tooth poor guy was not happy.

[Desiree]

My new little girl. I was told she was two. 



My new boy. I was told he was three.