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Treatment

Outpatient treatment is often possible in uncomplicated cases. However, if a ferret has sepsis, a blood infection, or a severe case of salmonellosis, inpatient care may be necessary, especially for kits that have developed severe dehydration as a result of the infection.

Treatment may also include rehydrating your ferret, helping it to overcome severe weight and fluid loss, and replacing lost electrolytes. Antibiotic therapy, meanwhile, is used to directly control and fight the infection.

Living and Management

Your veterinarian may order routine analysis on your pet's feces to verify its progress. The ferret should be separated from other pets during the acute stage of the disease because of the contagious nature of salmonellosis. Strict attention to hygiene is essential for preventing further spread of disease, which is often shed in the infected ferret's stool.

It is also important to provide your ferret a nutritionally-balanced diet. Avoid giving your dog raw or undercooked meat, as this is a risk factor for salmonellosis. If possible, avoid animal pounds and shelters, as overcrowding may promote the spread of disease.