Message Number: YG1041 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Pam Sessoms
Date: 2001-03-10 11:59:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Fwd: sore in top of mouth

> --- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "sue" <ferret@i...> wrote:
> noticed that he has a raw spot inside the top of his mouth.
<snip>
> What I would like to know is, what could this raw spot be?
<snip>
> I have seen it in a couple of others in the past, but never knew
> exactly what it was. The others had stomach ulcers.

I've seen these things a few times, and usually, it's been from the fuzzy
clawing and his mouth from nausea. (ulcers, mystery GI problems - also
seems like I've read of a few with insulinoma doing it during a crash).
They also sometimes do it after being medicated with something they really
don't like, especially if they were already nauseous to start with.
Still, like a clever shelter operator suggested, it's a good idea to get a
chem panel done, particularly if you haven't seen the fuzzy actually
clawing at his mouth.

I've always tried to keep an especially close eye on their nails and keep
them short and smoothed with a file to possibly help limit the amount of
damage they can do when they're clawing... Also, I've tried to cover the
sores with carafate under the theory that maybe it would protect the skin
and help it heal a little fast, but I have absolutley NO idea if it
helps... They've been already getting it anyway for the underlying
problem so far, so it was something to try. If anyone knows for sure that
it doesn't help, speak up!

I'm not a vet though...

-Pam S.