200 FERRET FACTS AND FANCIES. 



The sick had best be kept separate — no two to- 

 gether. True, disease is sometimes fatal, but 

 what animal or fowl is exempt from disease and 

 death? The average age must be considered, 

 which is only about three years. 



Breeders and raisers of ferrets who have had 

 years of experience say that nearly all diseases 

 are caused by over or improper feeding and 

 allowing hutches or boxes where kept to become 

 filthy. The sleeping quarters and nest must be 

 dry or attacks of distemper or other disease is 

 apt to occur. A draft or current of air, from a 

 window or other opening, has often caused death, 

 as ferrets are very susceptible to cold. 



Carelessness in allowing the living quarters 

 to remain uncleaned of droppings, sour dishes, 

 with possibly foul nests, either or all may lead to 

 an outbreak or epidemic of disease. Yes, there 

 are remedies (more or less effectual) which are 

 explained under the various diseases, yet sick 

 animals are hard to doctor and the best way to 

 cure disease is to prevent it. 



Distemper. — Although not strictly a ferret 

 disease, yet it is one of the most fatal to ferrets. 

 Distemper is a very common disease among dogs, 

 from which animal ferrets will contract it, as 

 well as from other sources already mentioned. 

 The symptoms of the disease are : The ferret will 



