I think my Ferret is sick. What should I do?

If your Ferret becomes very sick always take them to a vet. The vet can determin what is wrong and take the proper course of action.
Ferrets need to be housed in areas accessible to natural sunlight. If your Ferret is lethargic, dpressed, irritable or just doesn't seem to be himself, see if natural sunlight helps. Try placing their pay area near a sunny window or put their harness on and take them for a walk outside. If their cages are kept away from direct sunlight, you may want to supplement with full spectrum lighting. If this doesn't help within a short period of time, there may be another cause for the behavior change, in which case a vet will be necessary.
Ferrets instinctively reduce their intake of food in the spring and lose weight. In the fall, you may notice your Ferret putting on up to 40% more weight. This is natural. Obesity is not normally a problem, unless the Ferret isn't aloowed exercise and is fed lots of snacks.
If your Ferret has watery eyes and sneezes, he may have allergies. Dust, smoke, chemicals in cleaning products, mold and other things can contribute to this. Belive it or not, Ferrets can even get seasonal allergies. If you find that your Ferret suffers from any of these things, think about providing an air purification or filtration device. This could help elimate some of the problem.
Vitamin C helps promote healing, is an immune strengthener and helps reduce arthritis pain. It works best when taken with Vitamin E, found in the oil of the wheat germ, corn, sunflower and cottonseed, egg yolks and liver. This is a very powerful antioxidant.
Bee pollen helps increase brain functions, a blood builder, strengthens fertility in breeding and helps combat allergies. It has been thought to even control the runaway groth of cancer cells. This is very helpful to the immune system.
Ester-C can hlep with respiratory problems and runny noses. It is also helpful in the begining if your ferret gets distemper, although most animals die from this disease eventually.
Flax oil or meal contribute to a lustrous coat, eliminate bald spots, help prevent dry skin and heal red and raw areas.
If your Ferret has been put on antibiotics, this can kill beneficial flora that helps with digestion. A good way of restoring this flora is acidophilus.
Royal Jelly, the white milky substance produced by worker bees, can help with arthrictic conditions, better coats, relief from insomnia, increased energy and a speedy recovery after surgery.
Tea Tree Oil is a very good antiseptic and antifungal. It is non-staining and can be very effective for ear mites. It has a very strong smell and should not be put where it can be licked off.
Ferrets can suffer from dog distemper, influenza, pneumonia and mites which cause foot rot.
Some ways to help ensure that your Ferret stays healthy are these:
Ferret proof your house. Make sure they cannot eat non-digestible items.
Choose ferret toys carefully. Make sure there are no small parts that can be eaten.
Always use a harness when outside. Remember that Ferrets are fast! And they won't survive well in the wild.
Avoid plastic aquariums for your Ferret. They outgas fumes that can be harmful.
Keep them cool in summer and snug in winter. Ferrets don't tolorate heat well if over 80 degrees.
Beware of vaccinations. If you are giving your ferret a distemper shot, it should be for canine distemper, not feline.
Avoid clumping litter with Sodium Bentonite.
Play with your ferret. If they stay caged up, they will develop depression, neurotic behavior and health problems.