From:
readingferret
Date: 2002-03-12 20:28:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Help! CHEWING GUM!
Hi Natasha,
The ferret I sent to the bridge tonight, Amadeus, had a bad habit of
eating things, too. His nemisis was a kneading eraser he decided to
snack on. Luckily, I caught him in the act at around 8:30 in the
evening.
He pooped shortly after, but I knew it was to soon to be home free.
Over the next 12 hours I gave him several good-sized doses of
hairball remedy to help him pass it. By morning it was obvious he had
a tummy ache. Since my vet was due to open in a couple of hours and I
could rush him in on an emergency basis I took him outside and
encouraged him to run around and gave him periodic belly rubs. At a
couple of minutes to nine (when the vet would open) I brought him
inside in despair. He still hadn't pooped. I put him in his cage to
keep him safe while I phoned the vet. Ami immediately went to the
litter pan and pooped and pooped...all of it predominately grey
kneading eraser. I continued dosing him w/ hairball remedy for the
rest of the day as a precaution, buy he seemed completely relieved
immediately after hitting the litter pan.
I still called the vet and they told me to call back at noon if he
displayed any signs of being blocked so they could fit him in before
they closed at 1:00pm.
I would say that gum has a similar texture except that in tends to be
smoother and somewhat slippery. Both can adjust their shape to fit
the space. I can't tell you if gum would be broken down in the
ferret's system, but since it's not meat I kind of doubt it. I would
keep dosing regularly w/ the fur ball remedy. It doesn't prevent food
from being absorbed properly and may keep your ferret from needing a
painful and expensive surgery.
Don't beat yourself up too much. Amadeus found a way into a desk
drawer to get the kneading eraser! Deep in mind you said "might have
swallowed". Maybe she didn't...but I'd treat her like she had.
And, if you find no signs of poop in her pan and indications of a
belly ache by the time your vet opens tomorrow I'd call and get her
in there!
Pat and the Furry Inspirations, grieving Amadeus,
Xena, may have just
> swallowed an undetermined amount of sugarless, mint-flavored
chewing
> gum!!