Anemia may be due to several causes. Anemia in an intact female is due to estrogen toxicity. Insulinoma or pancreatic tumors are the most common tumors in ferrets. This type tumor causes a low blood sugar. The most telling signs include profuse salivation and pawing at the mouth , which are indicative of nausea.
Treatment includes surgery to debulk the tumor.
This is only a temporary treatment. Medical treatment includes frequent feeding, administering prednisone and dizoxide as clinical signs necessitate. These tumors occur twice as frequently in females as males. Signs include bilaterally symmetric hair loss, usually starting at the tail base and progressing up the body. There may be a history of hair loss and spontaneous regrowth.