From:
williamsb.comcast.net
Date: 2002-07-03 00:14:43 UTC
Subject: Advice needed
> I have an older ferret, Peanut, who is going to be 6 in August. His eyesight is
> failing (I've noticed him bumping into things frequently, he has an ongoing
> battle with loose to liquid stools and although he eats like crazy he is
> nothing but skin and bones. Any advice you can provide on what I need
> to give him to help fatten him up and make him more comfortable would be
> very much appreciated.
Dear Barb,
In such cases, I often recommend a diagnostic workup prior to simply given high caloric foods. If the stools are liquid, then it is likely that any dietary change will come to no avail, as his is not digesting and or absorbing the nutrients.
If you look in the Files section of the Smartgroup FHL, you will find a reprint of an article that I recently wrote for Ferrets magazine discussing inflammaotry bowel disease, the most common intestinal malady affecting this age gropu and resulting in these particular clinical signs. It is also on my web site at http://www.afip.org/ferrets, along with a section on feeidng the ill ferret, which you may find useful.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams dVM