From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-22 12:51:00 UTC
Subject: Re: asthamatic ferret?
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., anaisdog@y... wrote:
> Hello folks:
>
> My 6 year old boy Odo has had this condition all of his life,
though
> his brother Quark has not. For lack of a better term, it sounds
like
> he has asthma. He gets into these really short quick breath fits
> every great once in a while (and I mean, it can be months before he
> has an attack). I don't know what to do during them except hold
him
> on my shoulder so his breathing system is extended (sorry, i can't
> find the right words). this seems to stop the sneezing, but then
it
> will just start right back up after I've set him down. It's very
> possible this is just a reaction to the tumble weeds (ala cat fur)
> that blows around the house, but none of the other 4 ferrets have
it.
> Any assistance would be appreciated.
Dear Becki:
Asthma in ferrets is generally not something that comes quickly and
passes quickly. The cases that I have seen are generally seasonal,
often coming in sync with when the AC is turned on (late spring/early
summer), for unknown reasons. These animals tend to cough rather
than have a sneezing fits, and X-rays show increased densities aroung
the airways of the lung. The animals often respond to sustained
release bronchodilators and low dose steroids.
Sneezing fits in ferrets are often, as you say, the result of
environmental dust, at least in my experience.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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