Ferret neutering

Female ferrets can be spayed from 12 weeks of age. Female ferrets come into season usually in spring and summer and an intact female ferret will stay in season until they are mated. If they are not mated, they can experience high levels of oestrogen leading to suppression of their production of red blood cells which can lead to life threatening anaemia. Spaying a female ferret will avoid them cycling and avoid any life threatening issues, and will also significantly reduce the smell from the glands in the skin.

Alternatives to spaying include the following:

Jill jabs. During the breeding season, the vulva will become swollen, at which time a progesterone injection can be given which can last the entire breeding season. A small proportion may need an additional injection and this will not result in reduction of the smell.

Suprelorin implants. These can be used in both males and females but are They stop the ferret from cycling and do not allow impregnation. The implant can be injected at the start of the breeding season and there is a reduction in odour.

(is standard practice in a lot of large ferret populations (such a breeders & rescue centres). Once mated, the female ferret’s cycle will temporarily stop but she would have to be mated multiple times throughout the breeding season.