From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2002-09-06 21:38:35 UTC
Subject: RE: Re; megaesophagus+propulsid
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <27755704.1031348315603.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> I have always assumed from this experience that those ferrets with megaesophagus, more than likely have the food stored in the eosophagus, within the neck, until the food is slowly digested and then goes down into the stomach, a kind of holding place it seems and then if not, that is when it is regurgitated, my theory, for what it is worth!---Angela.
This is what I refer to, when I say Sammy 'backs up'. It reminds me of the craw on a bird.
It doesn't happen often, but I can see it developing. His ears start to move forward in a 'pinched' way, and he will squint his eyes. Then his neck area will start to swell and get rigid. I sense he has trouble breathing, and he will want to run away. He seems frightened, so the best course is just to talk to him, massage the area, and stroke him under his chin to encourage swallowing. With Sammy, this usually has passed in 3-5 minutes.
I suspect this esophageal problem was what caused him to stop breathing when he had his adrenal surgery, so if you are thinking of surgery on one of these kids, be very aware that it may affect their ability to breathe under anesthesia.
Julie