Oldest Ferrets?

[whipple]

I was curious about old ferrets. I wanna hear all about them. I've never had a ferret past the age of 2 or 3. My very first ferret Peanut, had to be put down due to a huge tumor that made her lose her ability to walk. She was around 2 years old. I miss her so much!

I wanna know about health, and diet issues, and behavior. Absolutely everything you can tell me!

[Deleted]

I too have only had young ferrets. Pixie was my first ferret, and she just turned 2 years old.

[miamiferret2]

Oldest I know (kibble fed) was 10. Next in line was my friend's fert Beano (also kibble fed) he lived to be about 9.5. Then we have varying ages: less than 2 years (Cosmo), 3 yrs (Olivia), 5 friend's ferret can't remember name), 5.5 (iggy), 6, 6.5 (Al), 7. Can't remember all names and corresponding ages. I should keep a journal but you don't think of these things when you are young. I've had them live slightly past 8 yrs. ALL of these examples are of kibble fed ferrets. The 5 year old, 6.5 year old and 9.5 year old had insulinoma. Iggy died in an inslinoma seizure. My 8 year also had insulinoma but had to be put down because of advanced adrenal wreaking havoc on his body. Most of these other ferts also had adrenal disease. Only one, Olivia, had lymphoma. the adrenal is high up on my poop list so I'm hoping that deslorelin implants as babies will prevent it. And this is why I don't feed kibble. and if I you do have to feed it, get wysong epigen 90. As for "behavior" old ferrets are great. They can still get into things and make a mess, they are still curious, not as rambunctious but they like to roll around with their toys or in a crinkly bag. They sleep more, they also like to do old lady things like get sun on their belly so they lay by the window. They are set in their ways but very cuddly old friends. The older they are the more bonded you become to them.

[Deleted]

Mar 12, 2011 11:06:18 GMT -5 miamiferret2 said:

They sleep more, they also like to do old lady things like get sun on their belly so they lay by the window.

Haha, that is sooo cute! I can imagine Pixie doing that

[Sherry]

My oldest is Sinnead at 7. She's missing about 1/4 of her fur due to adrenal, but still plays, runs, dooks, wrestles, with the younger boys and girl she's bonded with. If it wasn't for the fact her teeth are over 2/3 translucent, I'd not believe her age. I know the vet has trouble with it ;D She does crash and sleep more often than the younger ones, but that could just as easily be the adrenal she's suffered with for the past 3 years.
All my others range from 2-4 years of age.
Oldest ferret I know of was 13 when she passed. She belonged to a breeder/rabbiter in England

[Deleted]

I've heard of ferrets being 12 and I think one was 14!!!

All 5 (getting 5th tomorrow) of my ferrets are around 2 and the new one is 3).

Just think of an older ferret like an older person. They sleep more, they have some issues walking around sometimes, etc

[Deleted]

Kahlua was my first ferret shes 2.5 (ish)- and is adopted
next i adopted Mojito who is some where around 5-6ish
and then we bought SoCo from the pet store. today he is 3 months lol

Mojito is really active still though Im thinking he probably has adrenal, he has lost a lot of weight and has thinning hair on his toes and tail, as well as many other symptoms I cant go into or Ill cry. Other than the potential adrenalness he is pretty bad butt, he doesnt let it get him down while he runs around attacking everyone. He loooves SoCo and is very tolerant of all of SoCo's baby actions and even loves to join in on them. Ive had him a little under a year and he is just now starting to let me pet him and cuddle him, Im not sure if thats age or if its confidence with me.. He even comes up to me looking for kisses and scratches from time to time.

[sherik]

My oldest ferret Zool is 10. He is possibly adrenal and insulinoma. I got him when he was 7. He was fed crappy friskies, I'm not sure his whole life, cause at one point his original owner actually liked her ferrets. He is totally blind and has very few teeth. He still gets around alright now that he is on prednisolone, he started that about a week ago. He looks old, you look at him and know he's really old. He got a melatonin implant about a month ago and his fur is looking pretty nice now though, except for his bald head. He still eats really well, and goes to the bathroom good. Sometimes he still steals the dogs giant rubber kong.
My second oldest was Roo and she was 9. Zools sister. She died from complications from taking prednisolone for so long. Her immune system didn't work and she couldn't fight an infection off, and had horrible diarhea She was good on antibiotics, but as soon as it was done, she took a turn for the worse. When she no longer wanted her favorite treat of a small piece of milkbone I knew I had to let her go. I couldn't bare to see my sweet little Roo-roo waste away. I know milkbones aren't good for ferrets, but she got a little piece once a week or so. When you are that old, I figured she deserved it, since she loved it so much.

[Deleted]

My oldest is about 6-7 by her teeth, it's Gypsy... I adopted her from Orange County Animal Control back in November of last year. She took to raw pretty quickly... All I know about her is that she was found wandering around UCF and had been free about2-3 weeks before someone had the brains to call Animal Control to pick her up.... I know it's Florida it can't be that cold, but there are a lot of predators and being by the college the risk of getting run over by a car is great. Gypsy is spunky and has all the energy that the younger kids have...she doesn't climb/levitate like the younger trouble makers though. Eats like a charm, runs, dooks, and is quick to tell Sophie Ann off when she gets to annoying or trys to steal her toy...

[weezz]

Mar 12, 2011 11:06:18 GMT -5 miamiferret2 said:

As for "behavior" old ferrets are great. They can still get into things and make a mess, they are still curious, not as rambunctious but they like to roll around with their toys or in a crinkly bag. They sleep more, they also like to do old lady things like get sun on their belly so they lay by the window. They are set in their ways but very cuddly old friends. The older they are the more bonded you become to them.

I so agree. I also house my "oldies" in a playpen environment so there are no shelves to fall off of. They also get free-roam of the living/dining room area when the other groups are not out.

The comment about the sun... I have a couple that like to lay in the middle of the floor and soak up the sun when the mood hits them. They usually have to chase a cat off to do this, but usually get their own way.

I find that the younger ones are more into playing/wrestling with their friends when they're out. The oldies are more likely to be snugglers and seem more appreciative, even when they are new to the household.

[Heather]

I presently have Pooka who's 10. She's very sick with later stages adrenal and not very active. She will rumble around, steal any mice that are hanging out of other fuzzes cages, hide them, more for spite than anything (she's a b****y little thing)...she doesn't eat them any more. Chews their heads a bit probably gets some nutritional value. The rest of the time she's forced fed by syringe, she would starve if I didn't feed her...she's not into food anymore. I'm not doing her any favours I supposed, but she looks too good to take to the vet yet She's not in pain, just very tired. I honestly think the des implant is the only thing keeping her alive. I've had Loki who was 10 passed on due to renal failure. Mad Max who was at least 11 who passed on due to bladder cancer a complication to late stage adrenal. Mayhem was 9, cadiomalyopathy. Babushka was 11, she was assisted but basically died of organ failure due to old age. Mischief was 10 or so and passed on due to ruptured spleen due to lymphomas.
For every one that I've got to live to an old age I've lost one that is so much younger. Porthos at 2 lymphomas, Aremis 5 lymphomas, Nicodemus 5 organ failure due to adrenal. Attila 4, massive cardio infarction. Ghenghis 6 ulcerated bowel due to IBD. Maybe, I'm strange but I don't think of a fuzz as being old until 7 or so. I've got Odin who is 8 or 9 this year (I can't believe he's that old...oh, he can't be... ) You would never know it. He does sleep more but he still gets into tons of trouble still.
Most of the old ones have a very short play time. Most sleep curled up in various favourite locations. Some a darkened sleep box, Captain Jack, sleeps under the fish tank (I have a hard time thinking of him as old but he came to me at 4, he's now 7 and adrenal, I've buried his cagemate Calypso who was 6, she had spinal cancer and insulinoma) Napoleon and Mad Max used to sleep belly up on my bed or in the tube going down to the ferret play space outside. The problem about the oldsters is the amount of pressure that is incurred financially and mentally. When you take on an older fuzz you know that you're taking on a huge financial risk. Some do pass on quietly but most require expensive vetting and are a huge financial drain. Emotionally, I don't even want to go there. Would I trade my rescues, my oldsters...not for anything. I just wish there was an easier way to care for them on my pocketbook
ciao

[goingpostal]

Current crew
My oldest judging by teeth is Craven and he's probably at least 7 and adrenal
Pip I don't know for sure, probably 4, adrenal
Pandora 4.5, no issues
Koda, 4-5? possibly adrenal

RIP
Tweek, supposedly only 3, died in his sleep
Precious, 4 died of insulinoma and lymphoma, was treated (surgery) for adrenal at 1.5 years
Hobo, 4 years she was early adrenal but either injured herself/had a stroke and was pts
Blackie, 3-4? suspect lymphoma, he was so anemic when he was at the vet they couldn't figure out the cause but he did rebound and stay with us a few months before crashing and passing.

[lc]

my oldest would have been 7 this year but passed at 5 due to complications after adrenal surgery. my second is almost 6 and recently started showing signs of adrenal. The third just turned 5 and so far free of any illness *fingers crossed* and the latest addition is just a kit.

[Deleted]

Currently, my oldest is Pixie, who's 5 and some change (September baby), now. I've had a few emergencies with her, but nothing that was really *age* related - just IBD episodes that really knocked her on her butt and heliobacter infections + stress ulcers (she's a bit high strung and she had lost her litter/playmate, Yew, at 3 years). Tummy issues, so far, are really her biggest thing (and here's praying it stays that way for years and years and years).

I love her evolving attitude - she's mellowed so much in a lot of ways, being patient and calm with *her* business (because, let's face it, she does rule the roost), but then in others it's like her seniority made her spunky and really kick-a$$ in ways she wasn't as a kit and as the beta to Yew's alpha.

Don't know if that helps any, but that's been my experience!

[trippyferret]

Salem is my oldest ferret at 7. So far, she has not had any health issues(other than a reaction to a rabies vaccine). Taking her in once I get my income tax to have her checked over and a bg test done just to make sure nothing's lurking.
Daemeon passed away at about age 6 1/2. He had insulinoma and we think maybe adrenal, and was put to sleep when he became inactive, had no zest for life, and was hardly eating, even his most favorite things. He would be turning 7 this month.
My other brats are 2, 3, and 4 and healthy!