| Approximately two weeks after the beginning of the heat season, high levels of estrogen cause the vulva to swell gently. The vulva becomes enormous and if left unspayed will stay swollen and become damp and open. This leads to the life threatening health risks for your female. The moist enlarged opening is a natural channel for infection - which frequently leads to septicemia and death. At the same time the prolonged high estrogen level leads to aplastic anemia. |
| The only way to stop the prolonged heat - and the nearly always fatal diseases associated with it - is to breed an unspeyed female. But breeding a female every time she comes into heat is a great drain on her body and it to can lead to severe heath problems. |
| For these reasons it becomes absolutely necessary to spey females at some point in their life. Speying can be done at any age, most veterinarians prefer that it be done before 6 to 8 months of age but certainly before she is in heat. |
| Estrus causes an increase in blood supply and enlargement of the ovaries and reproductive tract that makes surgery more risky. If your ferret should come into heat before she is speyed your veterinarian CANNOT wait to spey the ferret when she cycles naturally out of estrus. This could take months and she could die of aplastic anemia even on the first heat. |
| If your ferret does come into heat it is now possible for your veterinarian to administer what is called a 'jill jab' and this should bring her out of season. Consult your veterinarian. |
| It is very rear but has been known that a gill may come into season without showing any signs. If this is the case and you suspect that your gill should be in season then check the colour of the gums. They sould have a good colour and if found not to be a check with your veterinarian should be made. Remember that if you do not do anything about it your ferret could suffer harm and at worse die. |
