Domestic ferrets have a peaceful disposition. This character was achieved thanks to many years of selection. However, given that the pet is descended from wild animals, ferrets become aggressive during the mating season. This happens because in nature, males need to fight for the female. Therefore, when kept at home, it is recommended to castrate ferrets.
Why is a ferret castrated?
It is recommended to castrate all domestic animals, except in cases where pets are kept for breeding. After this procedure, ferrets become calmer.However, castration is not performed only for this purpose.
The procedure is indicated in the following cases:
- After the onset of puberty, females undergo hormonal changes in the body. This process in some cases causes anemia, weight loss and baldness. During the period of estrus, females' immune defenses are weakened, which can lead to the death of the animal.
- Males during the rutting period, which lasts from 6 to 12 months, become restless. At this time, adult animals can escape from home to search for a female. Moreover, males require at least four matings annually to calm down. Moreover, each time the process must take place with different females. If this need is not met, adult pets may experience problems with the adrenal glands and prostate.
- During the rutting period, males begin to actively mark their territory and show aggression, both towards other animals and towards the owner. If more than two males live in a house, fights are possible, which often lead to the death of the pet.
It is recommended that ferrets be castrated before the end of puberty and before the start of the first rut. This procedure is carried out when the animals reach 5 or 6 months of age.
Early castration is not recommended, as the risk of complications increases. Moreover, this procedure can be carried out after the first estrus (in females) or rut (in males).
Preparing the animal
The procedure for preparing a ferret for the procedure does not depend on the sex of the animal or the type of procedure chosen. Before starting the operation, you must do the following:
- A week before the scheduled date, conduct a comprehensive examination. Castration is not carried out if the disease is diagnosed.
- Stop feeding 8 hours before the procedure and stop drinking 2 hours before the procedure.
- Rinse the room where the animal is kept and the cage. This is done in order to exclude the possibility of infection of the pet shortly before surgery.
- Remove water and food from the cage.
The animal must not be fed or watered during the specified period. Otherwise, complications, including death, are possible during the operation.
When transporting your pet to a veterinary clinic, it is recommended to wrap your ferret in a blanket or towel so that the animal feels familiar. When returning home after surgery, you should avoid shaking. Otherwise the seams may come apart.
How is the procedure performed?
Castration is carried out surgically or chemically. The first option is considered more optimal for ferrets. This is explained by the fact that the risk of complications after surgery is minimal.
This procedure is performed under general anesthesia. But the method is chosen taking into account the sex of the animal. During the procedure, the male's seminal glands are removed. Due to the fact that the organs are located externally, the operation takes no more than 20 minutes.
The female's uterus and ovaries are removed at the same time. In this case, abdominal surgery is required, during which the abdomen is cut. The procedure takes up to half an hour. If necessary, during castration the glands located near the anus are removed. After this, the animal stops secreting a secretion, due to which the animal acquires a characteristic odor.
Chemical castration is carried out using special drugs. In this case the following applies:
- Hormonal medications. These products are used for castration of females. This method gives a temporary effect. After the introduction of hormonal drugs, the duration of estrus is reduced.But after 1-2 months, the process resumes, which will require repeated hormone therapy. This method is dangerous because after taking such drugs the risk of developing tumors increases.
- Steroids. These drugs are used to castrate males and females. Steroids are considered more effective than hormonal medications. However, this method is used provided that the animals are free of diseases. In addition, complications often occur after taking steroids.
- Implants. This method involves the implantation of special structures (implants) that prevent the risk of pregnancy. This method is considered the most effective, as it does not cause complications. However, implants need to be replaced every 2 years. And these designs are expensive.
Chemical castration is prohibited when:
- liver diseases;
- pathologies of the genitourinary system;
- tumors of various types;
- chronic diseases.
After chemical castration, males continue to mark their territory. And animal fur emits a characteristic smell.
Postoperative period
After surgery, the functioning of the musculoskeletal system in ferrets is disrupted. This complication is typical for general anesthesia. Usually the animal’s condition returns to normal within 24 hours after the procedure.
After the pet wakes up, the animal can be given water. However, you can feed your ferret once it has fully recovered from anesthesia. At first, it is recommended to keep the animal in a cage, limiting its mobility. The rehabilitation period lasts from 10 to 14 days. All this time the animal must be in a cage without bedding.
After surgery, animals' metabolism slows down. In this regard, breeders need to adjust the daily diet of ferrets. It is recommended to give specialized premium food to castrated animals. Cheap formulas are contraindicated for animals, since such products often contain carcinogens and other toxic substances that can kill a pet.
With proper feeding and care, castration does not in any way affect the level and quality of life of the animal. Ferrets after the procedure become less aggressive, but remain active and playful. For this reason, after castration the animal’s weight does not change.
Possible complications
After castration, the risk of developing hyperadrenocorticism, or adrenal tumor, increases. According to research results, such a neoplasm is detected in 20-80% of males who have undergone such a procedure.
Such a high rate is due to the fact that after castration the pituitary gland continues to produce luteinizing hormone. The latter in ordinary animals affects the testes and ovaries. But in castrated animals, this hormone irritates the adrenal glands and promotes the appearance of tumors.
On average, the tumor forms 3-4 years after surgery. Hyperadrenocorticisms also occur after chemical castration. The reason for the appearance of the tumor in this case is similar. However, the risks of developing a tumor after chemical castration are lower.
Possible complications of this procedure also include:
- wound infection;
- internal bleeding;
- adrenal endocrinopathy (parts of organs remain in the abdominal cavity);
- obesity;
- pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract;
- mammary gland hyperplasia.
After chemical castration using hormones or steroids, the number of possible complications increases significantly.
How much does sterilization cost?
The cost of the procedure depends on the type of surgery chosen and the gender of the animal. Surgical intervention on males is estimated at 1.6-2.2 thousand rubles. Removing the ovaries and uterus of a female costs 3.2-4 thousand rubles.
