From:
miamiferret
Date: 2002-04-20 05:26:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Help!!!
First you need to try really hard to find a vet that has some
knowledge of ferrets. Get out the yellow pages and start calling
around.
Your ferret must eat. He cannot live on what he's currently
getting. Run, don't walk, to the supermarket and get some Gerber's
2nd stage chicken baby food. Warm it slightly and scoop it up with
your finger and feed him. He may not like it at first, but they
usually acquire a taste for it. If necessary, force small amounts
between gritted teeth. It could take you quite some time to get a
decent amount into him, but with persistence, I know you can do it.
He needs at least 20cc's, three times a day for bare survival. More
is better, of course.
It's possible he has insulinoma. This causes extremely low blood
glucose which causes lethargy, an appearance of lack of balance, and
hind leg weakness. Just the fact that he's not getting any
nourishment could also contribute to his weakness. Even a vet that
doesn't know anything about ferrets can check his blood glucose
levels. It should be in the 90-125 mg/dl range.
He's gotta eat. This is important no matter what's going on with him.
mike
-- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "opalessense2000"
<opalessense2000@y...> wrote:
> Hello everyone,
>
> I'm a newbie to the group and as a ferret owner.I adopted a ferret
> from a newpaper ad 3weeks ago.Didn't know a thing about ferrets but
> now I'm stuck with a very weak,sick,and fading fast ferret.He is
about
> 4yrs old.He sleeps 24-7.Will not play and has a hard time even
getting
> out of bed.His hind legs shake and he acts like he can't walk very
> well.