Ferret Care - Spaying or Neutering
Reasons to Neuter or Spay Your Pet Ferret Before Rut or Heat Begins
Apr 4, 2009
Often, pet ferrets have already been spayed or neutered before they are adopted or purchased. Spaying or neutering is frequently done at a very young age for ferrets, often along with being descented (having the scent glands removed).
On occasion, however, a ferret may be adopted or purchased without having been previously spayed or castrated. This is sometimes the case when ferrets are adopted or purchased directly from the breeder. Intact ferrets are sometimes also offered through pet stores or other sources at a reduced cost because the spay or neuter procedure has not been performed.
If your ferret has not been spayed or neutered, you need to have this surgery done immediately, particularly if your ferret is a female.
Why Do Female Ferrets Need to be Spayed?
Female ferrets can come into heat (or in season) between 4-6 months of age. Once a female ferret has begun a heat cycle, the cycle will not end until she is bred or until she receives an injection of hormones frequently referred to as a "jill jab". This results from the fact that female ferrets are induced ovulators, referring to the fact that mating triggers the body, through the release of hormones, to interrupt the heat cycle and start to prepare for pregnancy.
The "jill jab" works to bring a female ferret out of heat because it simulates the release of the hormones which breeding produces. However, these "jill jabs" should not be used as an alternative to spaying but rather as a way to bring the female out of heat so that she can be spayed.
When a female ferret is in heat, her vulva swells and she will experience bleeding from her reproductive tract resulting in a bloody discharge from her vulva. If the female ferret remains in heat, she will eventually lose enough blood for the condition to become life-threatening. Initially, the female ferret will become sick from the blood loss. If not spayed, the female ferret will eventually die from the blood loss. This phenomenon is known as heat-induced anemia in ferrets. Heat-induced anemia is the most common illness seen in intact female ferrets.
Spaying (ovariohysterectomy) is a surgical procedure which involves removing the female reproductive organs.
Ideally, female ferrets should be spayed prior to four months of age and before coming into heat for the first time. If your female ferret is already in heat, you should locate a veterinarian adept in working with ferrets and discuss the situation. Your veterinarian may prefer to give your ferret the "jill jab" injection to stop her heat cycle before spaying her.
Why Male Ferrets Need to be Neutered
An un-neutered male ferret is likely to become very aggressive toward other ferrets in the household as well as toward people surrounding him, even his owners. Un-neutered male ferrets are likely to bite and may cause serious injury. Neutering the male ferret, especially if done at an early age, will usually avoid this type of aggressive behavior.
In addition, un-neutered male ferrets have a very strong unpleasant odor about them. Neutering will help blunt this odor.
Neutering (also commonly called castration) is a surgical procedure in which the male reproductive organs are removed.
Neutering your male ferret before he goes into rut (a state of sexual arrousal) is the best choice for your male ferret. Male ferrets normally reach sexual maturity between 4-6 months of age and should be neutered prior to 4 months of age if possible.
Breeding Your Pet Ferret
Pregnancy associated problems are common in ferrets and many of these complications can threaten the life of your female ferret. For this reason, spaying the female ferret is the most appropriate choice unless you are an accomplished ferret breeder and know how to handle potential pregnancy problems.
In addition, even if your female ferret has a normal delivery, you may find it difficult to place the offspring in good homes. Currently, there are many shelters which are forced to euthanize pet ferrets because of the inability to find a home for them. This is not a problem to which the average ferret owner should be contributing.
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