From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-11-11 20:52:00 UTC
Subject: Re: help needed
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., 227peck@b... wrote:
> I have a 3-year-old ferret, Yoyo, who until 3 days ago was a very
> active and healthy little fellow. I noticed he was having
> discomfort when he was in his litter box and he returned to his
> hammock instead of coming out to play with our other 2 ferrets.
> Thursday afternoon I took him to the vet and was informed his
> temperature was 104 which would explain the lethargy. He was
> put on 2 antibiotics, Amoxicyln and Baytril.
>
> The next morning I noticed that he was having difficulty with his
> hind legs and sometimes just dragged his legs behind him like
> he was stretching. I took him back to the vet--his temperature
> was still up over 103 and he was having difficulty controlling his
> bladder and bowel. His appetite seems fine and he's drinking
> plenty of water. The vet kept Yoyo for an xray and blood work.
> The xray showed no signs of any problems and they were not
> able to draw a sufficient amount of blood for testing. The vet
> decided to treat for symptoms of insulinoma and prescribed
> Prednisone in addition to the antibiotics. I'm concerned about
> this because of the lack of the more common symptoms of
> insulinoma and the fever.
Dear Barb:
Unfortunately, it is somewhat difficult to be specific here without
more objective information. Lethargy and hindlimb weakness are non-
specific signs of a ferret that is not feeling well, and really don't
point to any one thing in particular. Discomfort in the litterbox
makes me worry about the possibilyt of a foreign body (ferrets with
foreign bodies that are moving through may strain at stools), or
possibly the problem is adrenal disease, and Yoyo is having
difficulty urinating.
Fever may accompany a foreign body as it scrapes through the gut, or
may be associated with stress-induced gastric ulcers. It really may
be caused by a number of conditions, but these best fit this
particular clinical picture. Remember than only about 10% of foreign
bodies show up on regular abdominal X-rays, so a negative X-ray
really doesn't rule this out. The lack of bloodwork is distressing,
and if they had trouble getting blood, I am hopeful that fluids were
administered, as Yoyo is probably somewhat dehydrated.
I really don't see any signs of insulinoma in your description, so I
guess that I wouldn't be treating for it at this time. It is easier
to rehydrate Yoyo, and take blood 24 hours later.
Wish I could be of more help.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM