From:
ChaoticFer8s@aol.com
Date: 2001-04-05 01:21:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Medical Question/Ferret
Hi Booker - Poor baby-thing. That you for caring about this kit. You did
not mention what you were feeding her. Suspect it is dry kibble for ferrets
- maybe moistened a bit. She has a prolapsed rectum which is usually caused
by her eating food that her system is really not ready to handle - too much
fiber.
She, and the other kits in the store, should be getting a mush - Esbilac or
similar puppy milk, powdered kibble and jar of Gerber's turkey or chicken
baby food.
You can mush whole kibble too by letting it soak for a bit in warm water - or
preferably Esbilac and mixing in baby food. In addition, a wet canned kitten
food might help - and all will like it. Doubtless have plenty of what you
need in the store. After much experimentation, I find my kits and ferrets
prefer Fancy Feast Gourmet. I bet the kits would really appreciate some
cooked diced chicken and some crumbled cooked hamburger too!
You can treat her prolapse by keeping it clean - which you indicated you were
- warm & wet compresses, and by using panalog or neosporin ointment locally.
The Nesporin ointment provides some soothing relief, antibacterial to avoid
infection and the ointment base helps keep the delicate tissues coated.
Following the above should cure her problem in a matter of days. If not, a
hemorroidal preparation can be used - but that would not be my first choice
because it also causes drying. Best Regards, Meg
In a message dated 4/5/01 1:28:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time, bgbooker@a...
writes:
<< Hello,
This evening I bought home a 8 wk old ferret. I work in a petstore a couple
of days a week. I have not been to work the past 2 days. I have 4 ferts of
my own. I noticed a ferret not using a corner in the pen. To me that's
unusual. Being the only one working the floor. I did not think anything
was
all that bad. Maybe one didn't want to use the corner. While cleaning the
pens at the end of the day. I will handle each fert. I look at this fert
and looked at her bottom. She had a bulge like an acorn at the end of her
rectum. Defecation was trying to come out, but wouldn't. Being the end of
the day with a new assistant manager. I showed him. He said take her home.
I tried to message the area before I bought her home. Some boo came out,
not
much. She tried to go also. But, she still ate. She would cry a little
when she tried to go boo. I phone a lady that I know who runs a ferret
shelter. I told her I would take her home. I decided to put the ferret in
some warm water. She booed and a lot came out. I dried her and put her in
an extra cage. With soft covers and towels. I gave her some ferretlax.
She
was not hungry at the time. She went to sleep after the ordeal. She just
woke up went to the corner of the cage and booed. A healthy boo. A little
cry of discomfort. Not a lot. She played with the hanging toys in the
cage.
I looked at the area. It is swollen. Not as much as before. Red and
inflammed. A little of boo still hanging in the area. The area looks
somewhat better than at the store. I will be contacting the District
Manager
of the store for information on how to get her to the vet. In the meantime,
is there any advise. Her spirit is up. My 4 are keeping her company by
climbing on and around the cage. I would like to see her actually eat and
drink. I will be monitoring her the rest of the evening until morning. I
have 8 hours until the store opens to make the phone calls.
If anyone could please give me some information on how to help her before I
can get her to the vet. Please feel free.
Thank You,
Booker and the Gang
>>