My ferret sounds like she swallowed something. Should I see a vet?

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 welcome to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I would be very concerned as this can be a sign of gastric disease. Ferrets often get foreign objects stuck in their guts, and can try to vomit but nothing comes up. I would recommend getting Zelda to a vet right away and have some x-rays done, as Zelda might need surgery. Best of luck with Zelda!

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/ )

It is definitely concerning that Luna is vomiting. While this may be caused by antibiotics, which commonly cause nausea and/or diarrhea, it is important for other things such as foreign bodies or intestinal parasites to be ruled out. I recommend letting your vet know what is going on, and holding off on giving the next dose of antibiotics until speaking wrote your vet. I hope this helps and that all is well with Luna!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to conditions such as pancreatitis, gastroenteritis, gastrointestinal foreign body ingestion and obstruction, among other possibilities. I suggest other diagnostics are performed at this point such as abdominal ultrasound and labwork. It is crucial to find out exactly what is going on so that therapy can be used based on the specific condition. In the meantime, they may be able to prescribe anti-nausea medications as that may be why she is not eating well. Best of luck!

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.

It could be stress related to the new home, but given her age, she should be examined by your veterinarian tonight. A young ferret can quickly become dehydrated which may complicate any underlying condition(s). Discontinue solid food for now and offer just a tablespoon or two of water or unflavored PediaLyte every hour until Josie sees the doctor.