From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-03-12 15:28:00 UTC
Subject: Hairballs was Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Digest Number 57
In a message dated 03/12/01 6:00:24 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:
<< I have no doubt that your capabilities in palpating hairballs far
exceeds mine. For the sake of improving my own ham-handedness, how
large does it have to be for you to pick it up, and how do you rule
out a recent meal as the cause of the enlarged stomach?
>>
I can feel them at about an inch in size in the stomach, depending on where
in the stomach they're sitting, smaller in the intestines (although I've
certainly been known to miss them), and as far as the recent meal, I ask when
the ferret ate last - most of my clients take food away about three hours
before the appointment in case I want to run bloodwork, so that helps.
Also, hairballs have a mat-like feeling to me, where food feels more
"squishy" (nice technical term there, huh?). If I suspect hairballs, I
recommend rads, and check for food in the stomach at the same time.
Dr. Ruth
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