From:
ubkarate@yahoo.com
Date: 2001-05-15 19:13:00 UTC
Subject: Help..Sick ferret ECE, Adrenal Disease, possible Insulanoma
Dr. Williams,
October 1st,2000 my ferret came down with ECE after bringing home a
new ferret. The new ferret was to be my 7th ferret. Four ferret
became critically ill, two passed away over the next two months. Josh
was the first to become ill. During this time he was diagnosed with
adrenal disease. Josh was to ill to do surgery. After waiting four
months my vet felt that Josh was as stable as he was going to be and
surgery was performed. The adrenal tumor was very larger. It was like
the size of a large grape but no other sign of illness could be seen.
This was February 7th. Josh's health has continued to decline ever
since the ECE. Even the adrenal surgery didn't help much. He
stabalized that is about it. He has had an inconsistent stool ever
since. It comes out as blobs. Sometimes the smell is terrible. I'm
concerned about his teeth grinding when he eats. This has been
ongoing since the ECE. All the ferrets were grinding there teeth. In
the past several weeks he has lost an ounce of weight a week and his
sugar came back low pointing to Insulanoma. May 11, 2001 Josh had
surgery to look for a pancreatic tumor, none was found. His weight at
this time was 2.1lbs down from 2.6lbs in February. A biopsy was done
on the pancreas and Liver. I should get the results back in the next
few days. We have done the prednisone and I am giving him Pedia light
for children along with his water. He does eat but it isn't a lot. He
will not eat baby food or anything other than his normal food. All he
will take is ferretone. I'm afraid he is just going to go to sleep
and die. Please help with suggestions. What is the teeth grinding? He
also no longer likes the other ferrets to bother him. Megan did the
teeth grinding, isolated herself from the other ferrets was eating
and went to sleep and died. She was treated for ulcers, had adrenal
disease along with the ECE. She never recovered. I fear for Josh's
life and don't know what else to do. I'm afraid he will continue to
decline as well and die. PLEASE HELP!!! He is under Vet care but I
was hoping for some more advice. Maybe there is something more I can
do but don't know about. Is someone still trying to find a way to
treat ECE? Haven't heard much lately.
Angie