From:
williamsb@comcast.net
Date: 2002-09-03 20:01:09 UTC
Subject: RE: Very Sick Ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <30706933.1031083269849.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Dear Slinky:
=
One thing that I would be primarily concerned about at this point is a recu=
rrence of the dehydration. Animals in extreme states such as your ferret o=
ften need SQ on a daily basis =96 the best thing that your vet can do in su=
ch cases is show you how to do this at home. Dehydrated animals just don=92=
t eat or take in water =96 it is a vicious cycle. This finding is probably=
the primary cause of her not being ble to move, although I surmise that he=
r caloric intake (if you are spoon feeding) is also way down.
=
While this is not the norm with ECE, it can happen to any ferret who is chr=
onically dehydrated as the precipitating factor.
=
The appearance of the feces also suggests the possibility of an ulcer as we=
ll =96 the black color and formless nature f the feces suggests this as an =
added complication.
=
What is the best thing to do right now =96 start getting as much fluid into=
her as possible, especially by subcutaous means. I would suggest that thi=
s will really start to turn things around.
=
ECE is not transmissible dogs, cats, or humans, but each can mechanically c=
arry the virus to other susceptible mustelids.
=
With kindest regards,
=
Bruce Williams, dVM
Author wrote:
> I am writting in hopes you can help me. I have a very, very, very sick f=
erret. She was diagnosed with ECE - green slime disease last week. We too=
k her to the Vet on Sunday evening - emergency care - she was given fluids =
subcantously. She was hospitalized on Monday because she was still so dehy=
drated. I opted to bring her home on Tuesday as she was depressed and had =
stopped eating. I have been successful in feeding her with a syringe and s=
ome by spoon. She seems to be getting a little better - before she just la=
id there, now she can lift her head. She tries to move but is unable to. =
She is very, very thin, you can feel the bones in her back and ribs. Her b=
ack end is so weak she cannot move it. It is sort of a mock paryalisis, sh=
e has feeling in her hind quarters, but cannot get it to move, hence keepin=
g her immoblized. This concerns me the most.
> Is it normal for a ferret with ECE to experience this?
> Other Info:
> She has had two bowel movements both were thick, deep greenish black and =
had some little "bird seed" looking stuff at the end of it.
> I have been feeding her a diet of Hill's prescription diet a/d mixed with=
Nutri-Cal and Pedialyte. Supplemented with Pedialyte at her feeding in le=
u of water.
> She is on Clavamox drop 0.1ml every 12 hours
> I also gave her 3 ccs of slippery elm bark. I read that some
> ferrets can get ulcers as a result of ECE and that slippery elm bark woul=
d help sooth her stomach.
> Is there anything else I can be doing to help her? She is so very weak.
> Also - we have another ferret, but he does not seem to be
> infected. They have shared living quarters for almost a year, we
> have them separated due to the disease. What, if anything, do I
> need to be doing for the one that does not show signs of infection.
> The vet I took her too said he didn't know what else to do for her.
> I need help!!
=