From:
Denise
Date: 2001-09-30 02:19:00 UTC
Subject: Injured Ferret
I'm new to this group and I need some help. Yesterday, I cleaned
ferret cages and I went to put the ferrets back in their cages and I
noticed one of my ferrets, Tasha, was dragging her right back leg.
She had been fine when I let her out of the cage before. I took her
to the emergency vet. they took xrays which showed no breakage, no
dislocation. The vet squeezed both of Tasha's back paws to see if she
had feeling in her paws. Tasha jerked when she squeezed the left back
paw and she also jerked when the vet squeezed the right back paw
(which is the leg she waws dragging). the vet recommend she stay
overnight and they administered steroids. as of this morning, she is
not using her good back leg as much as she was yesterday and this
concerns the vet. Blood sugar has been tested and is fine. More
xrays were taken and nothing has shown up.
they suggested I take her to another vet who has more sophisticated
equipment. My concern is that, did the vet give the steroids enough
time to work. doesn't it take a few days for the steroids to help?
Should I bring Tasha home and administer steroids for a few more days
since this injury happened around 4:00 yesterday (Saturday) and I
talked to the vet at 10:00 this morning (sunday). the vet is
concerned because now Tasha isn't using her good back leg as much as
she was yesterday when the injury first happened. But isn't that
usual? the next day, injuries usually hurt more than when they first
happened (at least when it happens to me). I think Tasha has only
been administered one or two doses of steroids. I'm not sure, but I
don't think that would help her recover overnight, correct?
any help or suggestions is greatly appreciated and I'm sorry this post
is so long. I just want what is best for Tasha in her recovery.