From:
MC
Date: 2002-09-23 01:51:06 UTC
Subject: Excessive Water Consumption
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3D8E738A.FE48BF1C@ProgressiveSystemsInc.org>
I have been fighting a bad diarrhea problem with 9 year old boy for 6 months now. He eats
fine, and since his Lupron shot 2 months ago, has been a little ball of energy. He has not
lost weight, in fact, he is well on his way to being fully 'porked' up for winter...right
along with the other pack members! (He did go 80% nude on me but due to his age, I opted
against surgery. He has recovered his coat in fine glory!)
Snorkle drinks an excessive amount of water in his cage, where he is kept approximately 40%
of each day, he will go through a 1/2 to 3/4 pint of water. He is always drinking from the
community bowl when out playing with the rest of the clan.
It appears to me that his 'thirst' is 4-5 times greater than the other ferrets.
What, if anything, could this high water consumption be an indicator of? He has been through
a 2 month regimen of Baytril, that had no effect. I have changed foods, no effect. I have
curtailed his activities, no effect.
Should I try Pediapred? I really don't like feeding steroids to any animal unless absolutely
needed.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
MC