Masses in the Stomach, Esophagus, and Intestines of Ferrets
Gastrointestinal and Esophageal Foreign Bodies in Ferrets
Because ferrets often chew nonfood items, discovering foreign
bodies or objects lodged in the gastrointestinal region (i.e.,
esophagus, stomach, and intestine) is not uncommon. This can
especially be a serious issue if the foreign object contains
heavy metals. At the very least, a blockage of the
gastrointestinal region can irritate the intestinal mucous,
which leads to various health problems such as an infection.
Symptoms and Types The types of signs and symptoms your ferret
displays will depend on the type of object(s) ingested and its
location in the esophageal or gut. Some of the more common
symptoms include: If left untreated, the obstruction can
perforate the intestinal wall or lead to chronic wasting disease
(in which your ferret losses muscle mass). Moreover, if the
foreign object is toxic (e.g., lead), it can lead to severe
issues and multi-system changes. The most common cause for g