It is highly recommended always to have a first aid kit on hand so you can take care of your ferret should the situation arise. You can buy a ferret first aid kit from your local veterinary clinic or pet supply store.
If you feel like making one yourself, it will be cheaper and better to make one as many items can be found at home rather than the professional version. Most of these items are not a lot of money, and there is no reason not to keep your ferret happy and healthy with an emergency kit nearby.
The single most important thing you will need. A clear, level head!
Stay calm! If an emergency should arise, your ferret needs you and counts on you to focus and provide the necessary attention and care.
The below is a listing of some recommended items to include.
Veterinarian’s phone numbers
The most important thing you can do for your ferret is to ensure you have a “ferret knowledgeable” vet, especially one that provides emergency care 24/7. When your ferret is ill, they can turn for the worse very quickly, and you cannot afford to wait a day or so or even hours in some circumstances. You should have a vet that is close by (even if they are just a backup) where you could bring your ferret at any time; their life could depend on it!
Scissors (small and curved to avoid accidental injuries)
Scissors should always be in your first aid kit. Be it for a bandaged cut, nail clipping, or a splinter. Also, curved scissors are better than straight scissors because you can avoid accidentally cutting the ferret, and they are better for cutting bandages or removing splinters.
Nail clippers
Always ensure you do NOT cut into their nails, which is their vein and would hurt them. You want to cut just under the quick so you can avoid any accidental cuts. Always check their nails regularly and trim them as necessary.
Styptic powder/bar of soap
They are necessary to stop the bleeding if you accidentally cut into the quick of their nail while clipping, especially if they are injured. It also soothes and aids in the healing of any cuts you did make with the nail clippers. Just rubbing some on their paw pad will stop any bleeding and help with the pain.
Tweezers
It would help if you had those for removing foreign bodies on their skin or in their coat. Be very careful when removing those items because you don’t want to damage the ferret’s skin even more.
Ice cream/lollipop sticks
They are handy if you need to apply a splint.
Antiseptic
You use antiseptics to clean any cut or abrasion. It is important to treat any wound with antiseptics as often as necessary to prevent infection. Ferrets have susceptible skin, and you don’t want something to get infected.
Antibiotic Powder/gel/lotion
You would apply to wounds after a thorough cleaning to ward off possible infections. I would also advise seeing a vet immediately.
Children’s Benadryl
You use those in case they should happen to get stung by a bee or wasp. But please consult your vet for proper dosage beforehand – You want to be prepared if something of this nature should happen.
Cotton balls
You use those for wound cleaning and applying ointments. These can be found in most stores and are only a couple of dollars.
Bandages
You will need those smaller-sized ones to cover wounds and to secure splints.
Surgical gauze
They are ideal for padding for wounds and to stop or slow down the bleeding. See your vet immediately.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen Peroxide is perfect for flushing dirt from wounds and counter infections.
Alcohol & Tick Hook
Alcohol aids in tick removal. But if you are unsure how to do it – consult your veterinarian. There are tools available (tick hooks) that make removing a tick much easier. Make sure to have a tick hook in your emergency kit.
Sodium bicarbonate
You can apply wet compresses with sodium bicarbonate to help reduce swelling.
Pedialyte
Pedialyte aids in rehydration. Marshall makes an electrolyte made just for ferrets called Ferret-Aide Electrolyte/Hydration Concentrate. You could also give your ferret Pedialyte for infants (without flavoring)
Karo Syrup
It helps to bring your ferret out of a seizure from insulinoma. You must definitely consult your vet before giving your ferret anything.
Preparation-H
A relief for prolapsed rectums – You need to speak to a vet to confirm the correct dosage with all medication.
Laxatone/petromalt
Ferrets are by nature very clean animals and do accumulate hairballs as cats do. Unlike cats, however, ferrets do not generally possess the reflux motion to cough up any hairball accumulations (though some have been knowing to do so).
The best prevention is to provide them with Laxatone/Petromalt on a weekly basis in order to lessen any accumulations from developing in their system.
If you suspect that your ferret might have a hairball that is not being passed, take him to the vet immediately, as an operation might be warranted for its removal.
This situation can be life-threatening to your ferret, so please do not wait.
A Syringe
Useful for measuring and administering liquid medications and food. The ideal size for medicine is 1cc and 3cc, for food 35cc.
Keep in Mind
While it is ok to perform a first aid treatment in the case of an emergency, always talk to a vet before, and if you see that they need emergency first aid, always seek help from a vet!