From:
Cyndy Nelson
Date: 2001-06-23 12:07:00 UTC
Subject: question
Hello All-
I don't post much (not at all lately) but have a vet
appointment on Monday and would like some input before then.
I have a little guy that hasn't had hair on his tail for about
a year. The hair starts to grow back and falls out. He has
many blackheads that are difficult to get rid of. I don't
know his history, although a gal that runs a shelter in
Seattle looked at him and said he looked like he had been
malnutritioned. He eats well, and is a major sleeper
compaired to my other little gal, but I have decided they are
all different.
Lately, (last 2 weeks at the most) he only pees a very small,
quarter sized amount. Normally he will flood the floor and
leave. (you know ferretss, why use the box when you have the
whole kitchen floor?) He urinates often and it looks like he
is maybe straining somewhat. He doesn't cry out in pain, but
you see the muscles contracting on him as he is trying to get
it out.
The vet wants a urine sample, and said he might have crystals
in the urethra? Is that something common with ferrets? I
have had this problem with one of my guinea pigs and he had
bladder surgery to remove a stone, but I didn't know ferrets
would do the same. The vet said we might have to stick the
bladder with a syringe and take some urine out. (sounds awful
to me)
I just wondered if the two things, hairless tail and straining
to urinate, could possibly have anything to do with each
other?
The poor little guy doesn't walk right, his back has a
permanent curve in it. He can't flatten out like the girl and
go under very low objects. I have no idea what he was fed
before I got him from the family that didn't want him anymore.
He now eats The Ferret Store brand food.
Any suggestions as to what the vet might look for, or I should
do, would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Cyndy