From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-11-05 22:59:00 UTC
Subject: Re: blood in urine and diarrhea
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Carrie A Carlson <kaysi@j...> wrote:
> My ferret, Bean, has had soft and runny stools since yesterday, and
this
> morning when I went in to check on him I noticed a piddle-puddle
which
> was reddish in color. I'm concerned that my ferret has a urinary
track
> infection, or something worse. I wanted to take him to a vet
today, but
> the only way they'll take him his to keep him overnight because
they are
> having an influx of animal patients recently. Every vet in my area
is
> booked solid until tomorrow. What can I do for my ferret to keep
him
> healthy tonight so I can take him to the vet tomorrow? I've heard
> reference to pedialyte in the case of dare... But with the other
problems
> I'm unsure.
Dear Carrie - just to be on the safe side, let's just make sure that
he eats and drinks. Hand feed if necessary - but until you have him
evaluated, I generally don't recommend any type of antibiotics - they
may mask signs and make bacteria unable to be retrieved on tests. If
the stools are not watery and the animal is not losing a lot of
water - I don't think pedialyte is required overnight - just water is
good enough.
I know that the appearance of a reddish color in the urine is
unsettling, but in most cases, it is not an emergency, and you can
sleep okay tonight.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM