If you are a ferret owner or thinking of becoming a Ferret owner, Please read this it may save you jill's life....

I have written this article to educate people about Jill (female) ferrets. I have recently become aware that many new owners do not realise the complications a Jill could have, it could possibly cost her life.

Jill's are not usually sexually active until their second year when they breed between March until August. The vulva enlarges like a dog would when in season (oestrus) and will peak at 30 days, this is when she will be most receptive to a Hob (male) advances. Jill's like Cats, Rabbits and Degu's are induced ovulators but are different to the animals previously mentioned because if they are not mated they will remind in season. This can lead to serious even fatal consequences.

If she is not mated or brought out of season before the 30 day period she could get an infection due to her vulva being enlarged and with the constant production of oestrogen can lead to bone marrow depression which can lead to a type of anemia called Aplastic anemia. During her season an indication apart from the swellings is that she will have a musky smell to her.

Ways to bring the Jill out of season

When your Jill shows the obvious signs I have mentioned above you must do one of the following things...

Entire Hob Mating
Mating your Jill with an entire Hob you will probably end up with a litter of kits, unless she has something medically wrong with her. If you are wanting a litter then this is a great way of reducing the risk of losing her to Aplastic anemia but their could be complications due to the birth and rearing of the kits. Plus unwanted Kits!

Vasectomised Hob Mating
Mating your Jill with a vasectomised not neutered Hob will bring her out of season and a life time companion as they need not to be separated as their should be no risk of Kits. They will still have the strong sexually desire as an entire Hob, the tube are tied or burnt so the sperm from the testes can not reach the penis, and will still smell a strong musky smell.

Hormonal Injection From The Vet
This can be given the first time she comes into season and you should notice the swelling going down within a week of this being done but she could come back into season during the breeding period. Its called Proligestone (Delvesteron .5 mg) and I have read that a Jill has been given it for 10yrs with no side affects and is still alive at 13yrs old.

Neutering Your Jill
Neutering your Jill will put an full stop on breeding from her but it could be best in the long run as you are not worried about her suffering from a premature death. Its recommended that its done before she is 7 months old and her first season which will be in the March - August a year after she was born. If your Jill does come into season she can be injected and returned to the vet at a later date. Neutering the Jill whilst in season is not recommended due to reproductive organ being swollen quiet large and excess blood loss but she could also become Alpastic anemic because neutering does not always bring them out of season.

I hope this has been some help to members.

Written by petforum member :- guineapigqueen

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