Message Number: YG2994 | New FHL Archives Search
From: friscotheferret@yahoo.com
Date: 2001-04-27 01:43:00 UTC
Subject: Difficult Diagnosis.....Please help.

I will try to be brief with my ferrets symptoms as she has been seen
by a vet 5 out of the last 6 days but a diagnosis still escapes him
(us). Blood tests are all normal. Fasting BG is 87. Symptoms are
hind leg weakness, teeth grinding. She didn't eat (or poop, for the
most part, if she did it was diarrhea) for 2 days. She was extremely
weak and lethargic. (Seemed like classic insulinoma). I took her to
the vet at that point. X-Rays show no blockages. She was force fed
and had Sub-Q fluids injected for 3 days and started eating and
drinking on her own. Her legs have gotten stronger and she is
pooping normally again. She is still doing the teeth grinding and
though legs are stronger, they aren't perfect. She's 6 ½ years old.
Vet doesn't think it's insulinoma or if it is, it's very early stage.
He is familiar with ferrets and you and Dr. Weiss so I am fairly
confident with him. He also feels if it were insulinoma, there would
not be improvement. Someone suggested coccidia. I cannot find any
information as to the symptoms of coccidia or the prognosis or
treatment. Would you please point me in the direction of some
information as well as provide me with your interpretation.