From:
Debbie Utter
Date: 2001-12-28 07:55:00 UTC
Subject: Apparent back injury...in pain
Yesterday morning, Klondike looked like he was walking weird.
It was almost like both hind feet had been tucked into
stockings - when he walked, you couldn't see his feet. It
looked like he was walking on his knees. Did not seem to be
in any pain. I figured he probably caught one or both feet in
the shelf in his cage climbing down to the bottom
level......he's always been like a slinky, almost spineless,
and would often just let his back end flop down. He's only a
year old.
Last night he was the same, so I kept him with me overnight.
He was up several times through the night, getting off the bed
to go potty. I would help him up and down the bed if I got
there in time. Still no sign of any pain, but he was having
more difficulty getting on the bed. About 5 or so this
morning, I heard him make occasional noises indicating he was
experiencing some discomfort....like they do when they've
caught a toenail, or another ferret has played too roughly.
About 6:30, he got down again to go potty, and I heard him
walking about. Next thing I know, he was screaming out in
pain, and screamed again just a moment later. Obviously in a
lot of pain. It was at this time that I noticed that he had
peed and pooped very little through the night, telling me that
his discomfort had kept him from eating and drinking normally
through the day yesterday (he's in a ferret room with three
others), so little output, OR that his injury (which I now
suspect is a back injury, rather than his feet, isn't allowing
his muscles to work so he can urinate/defecate.
I'm calling the vet in a few minutes, but would like to know
what this could be. I lost Brae just five weeks ago to
megaesophagus, and I can't bear the thought that Klondike's
injury is serious enough that he'll have to be put down. Will
maneuvering him for an xray cause further damge? At the
least, it'll be quite painful for him, unless they anesthetize
him first.
If you answer this, please respond directly to me. I'll be
here for probably another hour, and will be checking my email
frequently. The vet is fairly ferret knowledgeable, but it
never hurts to be armed with any possibilities that he can
check into.
Thank you.