Can you guys give me some info on removing a ferrets scent glands?

Question

Because i know that ferrets are a relative of the skunk and i know they smell pretty bad cause my friend has one. but i was told that you can have their scent glands near their butt removed. and i was just wondering what are the effects and about how much would it cost.

So please help me!

Thanks!

-Madi

Answer 1

call you local vet and ask I'm pretty sure they will tell you

Answer 2

have a ferrets scent glands removed is an invasive unnecessary procedure.Most vets wont even do it and most breeders will have you sign a contract saying you will not do it.the scent glands on the ferrets is very similar to the annal sacs on a dog.When they are impacted,they will Poof( kinda like a f**t) it dissipates quickly,and causes no trouble.If you get a ferret from a pet store it is likely to be from Marshall's, a large ferret mill located in Ny. They descent ferrets at 5 weeks old and also spay/neuter them at this age as well.you will know your ferret is a marshall by the two blue tattoos in there ears.Marshall's also sells their ferrets to labs for testing.

Answer 3

They are usually descented when you buy them at a pet store.

Answer 4

If you intend to keep ferrets you must be able to live with their smell as it cant be washed off or cut out. When you play with the ferrets in a pet store you get a smell on your hands.... this smell is musky and comes from the ferrets skin, you see the ferret has oil glands all over its body which produce this odor. It is highly reccomend to change the litter pan once or twice daily to keep your house nice but the oil glands under their skin account for the musky odor more than thier poofer.  

When ferrets come into the world they come equipped with a secret weapon... anal scent glands. In the U.S. nearly all ferrets which are purchased from pet stores have had these already removed. These ferrets are referred to as being descented. The reason for this is pure marketing. Who would want to buy a pet that stinks? The truth is, however, that the scent glands only produce and odor when a ferret discharges it's scent glands which is not like a skunk but is just smelly air. Ferret lovers with ferrets which have not been descented refer to this as "poofing" (as in... who poofed)". Luckily, the smell goes away very quickly. If you buy from a breeder, the ferret may not have the glands removed and then you will have to find a vet who can do this procedure and it is pricey.  

You would need to contact the vet who will be doing the procedure for the exact price, as vet prices vary, but plan on several hundred dollars.  Since the ferret is an exotic animal, you must check around for a vet knowledgeable about the procedure with the ferrets small size, a mistake can be fatal.

Since you are really worried about their smell, maybe a ferret is not the pet for you.

Answer 5

mine were already descented when i bought them from the pet store

Answer 6

He's probably already descented.

The vast majority of ferrets sold in the US come from Marshall Farms and they descent and neuter/spay their ferrets before shipping them to pet stores. To check if he's from MF, look in his ears for two tattooed dots; one dot means he's been neutered, and two means he's also been descented.

They do have a distinctive smell even when they've been descented, though.  

Answer 7

The majority of ferrets sold in the US will already have been descented (removal of the anal scent glands), so if you're living in the US, then you most likely won't have to worry about this. However, if you live outside the US or are living in the US and purchase one from a private breeder, then this procedure most likely won't have been done. Keep in mind, if you don't live in the US, then you might want to check the laws where you live - descenting is illegal in a lot of places except for when medically necessary. This procedure is considered cruel and unnecessary in many countries outside the US, and I agree. If you purchase an undescented ferret and it's not a medical necessity, then let your ferret be the way it was meant to be. This procedure is illegal for a reason - it really is cruel and unnecessary and can actually cause more harm to a ferret, especially if it's not done properly. Also, descenting really has little to do with their overall scent. Descenting just means that your ferret will no longer be able to "f**t" or expel a poof of odor when frightened or excited (like a skunk does). And that poof isn't near as bad as that of a skunk and it dissipates rather quickly. As for prices, you'd have to call around to get an idea, but I'm sure it would be at least $200 (if you can even find a vet that performs this procedure). In my opinion, just let your ferret be if he isn't descented. Also, if the smell is a problem for you, then a ferret most likely isn't the right pet for you.