My ferret coughs like a hairball but nothing comes out. Is it serious?

Thanks for reaching out about Ellie. An ingested foreign body, hairball or other, is common in young ferrets. A veterinarian should be seen if the coughing continues as these small animals have few reserves. Coughing could also be an indication of a respiratory problem. Remember ferrets can contract influenza. Good luck.

Hello, and thank you for your question. I'm sorry to hear that Freddy has been unwell. Coughing may be a sign of an upper respiratory infection (e.g. a cold), or a hair ball, or heart disease. Coughing can also be mistaken with wretching, or the attempt to vomit. In this case the cause may be related to a gastrointestinal infection, or foreign body ingestion. Stinkier stools may also be related to a gastrointestinal issue. I would recommend taking Freddy to a vet, who will be able to fully diagnose his condition by performing a thorough physical exam. They can take a good listen to his lungs to check for pneumonia, and palpate his stomach to check for pain or evidence of hair ball or foreign body. They may also recommend checking a fecal sample to test for intestinal parasites. I hope this helps, and that Freddy is feeling better soon!

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a chronic rhinitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Thanks for reaching out about Cappy. Young ferrets with clinical signs of possible nausea, are commonly suspect with foreign body ingestion. A veterinary visit is recommended. Besides eating something they were not supposed to, intestinal infections paraistes or metabolic disease, should also be considered. Good luck.

Ferrets can get hairballs. If Noodles is eating and drinking and acting normally I would get her a hairball remedy and try that for a week or so. If no improvement then you should take her to the vet for an exam. https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/product/marshall-pet-products-ferret-lax-hairball-and-obstruction-remedy If she seems to be having difficulty breathing you should take her right away! The other option is allergies although not super common in ferrets. Hope this helps. Best wishes!

Hello, so sorry to hear that Luna is vomiting. Vomiting is ferrets is very serious. Even though you don't think she may have gotten into anything, ferrets are very sneaky....... I am most concerned that she could have a foreign body stuck in her intestines which is causing the vomiting. I have removed many ear plugs, door stoppers and hair ties from ferret intestines! The other option is that she could have a hairball. Regardless of the underlying cause, vomiting is not normal. If your vet decides there is no foreign body, then they can at least give her some medication to stop the vomiting, treat her for hairballs (if needed) and get her back to normal. Please use a vet that is used to treating ferrets. Hope this helps. Best wishes. ( https://www.petcoach.co/article/vomiting-hairballs-foreign-bodies-in-ferrets/ )

This sign could be compatible with an upper respiratory tract inflammation/infection or possibly to a gengivostomatitis (inflammatory, allergic, infective). A clinical examination at your local veterinarian is essential to confirm these clinical suspicions and treat appropriately. Antibiotics may be needed. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.