From:
moreferrets@home.com
Date: 2001-04-10 16:42:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Undiagnosed Hind leg weakness
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., cheekey18@h... wrote:
> Hi,
> I bought a kit from a large pet store. It seemed very sweet
but
> it looked kind of small, the employee could not give me an exact
age.
> When I took the ferret home I noted hind leg weakness. It would
> attempt to walk but fall to one side and wobbled. Thru research of
> its teeth size I found out the ferret was aprox, 5-6 weeks old. I
> notified the pet store of its weakness and age of ferret and let
them
> know of my concern. I was advised to feed the ferret a formula of
> high protein and made a "super mush" in efforts that if it had a
> weakness caused by not being appropriately weaned and or
> malnourishment it would improve its overall health. I bought the
> ferret wed. by fri, I had him in a vets office. He was not able to
> give a exact cause for the weakness but said the the high protein
> mush surely could not hurt and to wait 2 weeks, to see if it
> improved. He also said otherwise he seemed totally healthy. Its now
2
> weeks and he has doubled in size but the leg weakness persists.
> Anatomically he looks sound, he does attempt to walk on both hind
> legs but he ends up dragging himself, especially if he wants to
run.
> Doc suggests sedation and x-rays. But I'm not sure if I should do
> this, the vet doesn't know if he will find the answer. Help! Has
> anyone else experienced this kind of weakness. He does have
sensation
> in both hind limbs and his pelvis seems intact, hips equal in size
> and has good ROM. Vets last words to me "you just may not have the
> fastest ferret on the block." Any help will truley be appreciated.
THX
with all the cynicism AND sincerity i can muster: egads, man - get
to a new vet NOW NOW NOW!!!!!!!!! this one is obviously unconcerned
and possibly uneducated in ferret care. unfortunately hind end
weakness can be a sign of a myriad of troubles...only an experienced
ferret vet will be able to help you. get into the phone book,
contact your local (and even not so local) shelters, etc. etc. etc.
and get that critter into competent care!! meanwhile, don't panic
and keep the faith...good to see you working so hard!!