From:
Denise
Date: 2002-01-20 13:27:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Ferrets with the FLU
As ferrets are susceptible to the same colds/flu humans get I would think
that it should be treated about the same. I am not a ferret expert but have
had ferrets for 7 years now and they have thrived. I am, however, an R.N.
and know that the flu is caused by a virus and antibiotics will not cure a
virus. Antibiotics are given for bacterial infections and if a physician
gives you antibiotics for the flu he either believes you have a bacterial
infection somewhere in addition to the flu or to placate you to think that
he is doing something. If you "think" the meds will work they often do - it
is called the placebo effect. The flu will run its course with or without
antibiotics and often they (antibiotics) can cause more harm than good when
they are not needed (diarrhea is a common side effect as the antibiotic
kills the normal flora of the intestine). My experience agrees with Sydney
whom, I believe, gave the best advice possible. The big thing to watch for
is dehydration due to vomiting, diarrhea, and/or simply not drinking enough.
Keep your pet well hydrated. I use a small animal nurser or plastic eye
dropper such as the kind that come in infant medications if I don't feel my
ferrets are receiving enough water. I have given mine small amounts of
Pediacare if I thought they might be getting electrolyte imbalance from
diarrhea/vomiting. Fever is there for a reason - it helps destroy the
virus. Unless it gets dangerously high let it be. The important thing is
to keep your pet comfortably warm (don't over heat them), hydrated, give
them small, easy-to-digest meals and lots of rest. Ferrets normally sleep
away a great portion of the day and when they are recovering from an illness
they need even more sleep. They will remain weak for a time after the flu
just as you and I do. Hope your ferrets will improve soon.
Denise
----- Original Message -----
From: Sydney <sydneyharper@y...>
To: <Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, January 20, 2002 1:37 PM
> One of my ferrets caught the flu a few years ago. No
> one in our house had it but almost everyone else in
> town did. Anyway, he was a sick ferret. If I
> remember correctly, it took about a week before he
> showed significant improvement. Until then he was
> pretty weak and limp. Mostly I just gave him good
> nursing care and the vet prescribed amoxy. I used a
> child's vaporizer in the same room to help with the
> stuffiness. If his fever seemed to be getting high, I
> would rub a cool damp (not wet) washcloth over his
> head. That seemed to be enough to make him more
> comfortable without getting him overly chilled.
> Whenever my ferrets get sick, they also seem to quit
> eating so I gave him warmed chicken baby food several
> times a day off my finger supplemented by Nutrical.
> Basically just lots a babying. Even after he got over
> the worst of it, he was still weak for about another 7
> days.
>
> It's probably a good idea to take them to the vet like
> you said, just to make sure it hasn't progressed to
> something worse.
>
> Sydney
> --- furretz@a... wrote:
> > I tried as hard as can be, but I failed. I had a
> > bout with the flu & now my
> > babies are all sick. I called the vet. The ferrets
> > are all on Amoxicillian &
> > Clorpheniramine Maleate. Well, they seem to be
> > getting worse! WHAT ELSE
> > CAN I DO FOR MY BABIES? They are breaking my heart!
> > I even bout "Ferret Rx"
> > an over the counter upper-respitory remedy... No
> > help at all.
> >
> > Thank you for any help you can give me. I think we
> > will all be going to see
> > the vet today if he can squeeze us in.
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> Do You Yahoo!?
> Send FREE video emails in Yahoo! Mail!
> http://promo.yahoo.com/videomail/
>
>
> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
> Ferret-Health-list-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> To post to the Ferret Health List send an email to:
> Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com
>
> The advice and opinions expressed in this forum are by no means a
substitute for prompt, hands-on care, from a licensed, practicing
veterinarian.
>
>
>
> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
>
>
>