From:
Mike Janke
Date: 2001-04-14 09:02:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Undiagnosed problem in Tigger
It does sound like Tigger may have a gastric ulcer, based on the
tarry stool. I would skip all the things you're putting together
into a duck soup and just go with a plain, bland chicken baby food.
Warming it slightly is a must and will make it more appealing.
Carafate will definitely help him to feel more like eating if ulcers
are present and should be given 10-15 minutes before feeding. This
protocol will keep him nourished until a definite diagnosis can be
made.
I can attest to the fact that ferrets definitely get spoiled by hand
feeding! Sometimes one can get their appetite going by feeding the
first little bit by hand and then setting them down in front of a
small bowl of the food and they'll just keep right on eating. Again,
it helps greatly if the food is warmed. I use a very small stainless
steel bowl and I even warm the bowl first so it doesn't cool the food
off the instant it's put in it. The bowl is small enough that a
ferret can eat out of it without having to stand. Yeah, they're not
spoiled.
Mike
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., lchez1965@y... wrote:
> Hi All ~
>
> One of our four year olds, Tigger, started about two months ago to
> lose weight and have diarrhea. He had black, tarry stool that
> sometimes looked like motor oil poured from a can. He would not
eat
> or drink. We had x-rays done along with blood work and an
> ultrasound. Approximately $800 later, we still do not have a
> diagnosis. The ultrasound showed a small nodule in the pancreas
but
> nothing was definitive. His blood work showed high protein levels;
> blood glucose was (after fasting) 70 once and 114 another time. He
> was on antibiotics for a number of weeks. No pred, though. The vet
> thought, maybe, ADV or the beginnings of insulinoma taking a wait
and
> see approach.
>
> We have been feeding Tigger a type of "duck soup" made of mushed
> kitten chow (his usual food), boost, brewer's yeast, ferratone and
> egg. He was up to 8-9 syringes two-four times/day, but would only
> take it when we hand feed with a syringe. We can't even put it in
a
> bowl for him to go to at will ~ he is now spoiled and insists on
> being hand-feed. He absolutely refuses to eat any of his regular
> food. Furthermore, he follows us around the room like our shadow.
>
> Consequently, Tigger has regained weight and isn't lethargic any
> longer; however, within the last two days, he has again begun to
> refuse to eat. He does even want the duck soup. If he gets
anything
> besides the boost liquid in his mouth, he stops eating and tries to
> jump from our arms. When we put him down, he dashes off into a
> corner, claws the floor and tries to burrow. It's as if anything
> with substance (like a piece of his regular food even if it is
> mushy), hurts him.
>
> We are frantic because we are so afraid he will go downhill again.
> Does this sound like he could have an ulcer? EE? Also, how do we
> get him back on his regular food? We tried the Gerber's chicken
baby
> food, but he doesn't want that either.
>
> What tests should we have done? Any meds? Pred? Carafate or is
> Pepto good?
>
> Please, any help/advise/suggestions will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks ~
>
> Lisa
>
> I have tried 1/4 tablet of pepto approx. a half hour before
feeding,
> and it seemed to help. But, I only tried once.