From:
sukieferret
Date: 2002-03-23 21:49:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Concern for an older ferret
> uses the litter. She still is playful but over time her play periods
> have diminished in length. I know that is to be expected...
> that her breathing seems quicker and shallower then I have
Time for a vet visit. Several things can cause this: anything that
impedes the function of the lungs or heart, other possible
causes of edema, infection, etc. The dazed aspect can be from
early insulinoma or form just being ill.
Here are the good news bits:
Even a very bad infection can at times be responsive to antibiotic
treatments. We had an older one years ago get pneumonia with
pleurosy and her chest was so thick that the x-rays just showed
a cloud but she healed with treatment.
Cardiomyopathy is a common cause of such symptoms in
ferrets; we've had three with that. This is a a terminal disease
but with treatments it is very possible to return both quality and
quantity of life, We've seen one lengthy response to such
medications and have had two others benefit though not in as
pronounced a fashion.
(Expect to have x-rays and very likely ultrasound done if these
(lung infection, or cardiomyopathy) appear to be a cause; the first
may require ultrasound the second pretty well always does.)
There are some other things that can cause fluid problems and
some here have had good luck dealiing with kidney disease as
a cause. If blood tests show kidney disease be sure to read
back posts on this, esp. the ones about Champ.
Hope this helps.
Oh, if cardiomyopathy, read the write-ups at
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc