Author: Anna Mercer APVN (Small Mammal), APVN (Wildlife), RVN. Anna has completed an Advanced Programme in Veterinary Nursing in small mammals and wildlife. She has kept pet ferrets for many years and is passionate about improving their care in general practice. In her spare time she enjoys sharing information on her social media page, which is dedicated to ferrets, as well as creating CPD content for veterinary professionals. Anna has organised many charity clinics for neutering, vasectomies and ‘jill jabs’ to help her local ferret community. She also enjoys judging in ferret shows in the UK and overseas.

ABSTRACT Female ferrets, referred to as ‘jills’, are seasonally polyoestrous and induced ovulators. If they are not bred, surgically neutered or chemically brought out of season, persistent oestrogen production can result in bone marrow suppression, pancytopenia and even death. With news of the discontinuation of the drug Delvosteron, commonly known as the ‘jill jab’ (licensed for ferrets and used to induce ovulation), owners and veterinary professionals should be aware that there are alternative treatments available. This article will discuss the alternatives available to prevent prolonged seasons in female ferrets with the aim of helping decision-making on the appropriate treatment for individual ferret patients.
Keywords ferret, oestrus, reproduction, contraception, deslorelin, hyperoestrogenism, hyperadrenocorticism, ovariohysterectomy

DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.56496/FXAV3117

To cite this article: Alternative treatments in the absence of Delvosteron to avoid prolonged oestrus in female ferrets. Mercer, A. (2024) VNJ 39 (4) pp 36-51. DOI: https://doi.org/ 10.56496/FXAV3117

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