Message Number: YG12711 | New FHL Archives Search
From: reeddion
Date: 2002-04-24 00:12:00 UTC
Subject: Green pee, mast cell tumors, lethargy and low appetite

Any suggestions on the following would help -

My first little sick ferret: 5-6yrs old, male, had insulinoma surgery
a couple
weeks ago, since then has been on amoxi and pepto 2x per day for what
was
presumed to be an upset tummy by the vet (he lost 6 ounces in a week)
but
otherwise has recovered beautifully. last bg was 69 after long fast
(he
wouldn't eat that day). He's very lethargic, with occasional bouts
of energy,
and low appetite. He's getting some duck soup supplements. No
nausea, but
has gotten pickier. Had the heaves (didn't actually manage to get
anything
vomited up) and straining to poop once for a couple hours this past
weekend,
and was treated with laxative and has pooped infrequently but normal
ever
since (low appetite started before this). And, as a side note,
absolutely hates
the two new ferrets, so I'm looking for suggestions on that too (more
to come
on them, everyone's neutered in case that helps).

My second not so sick ferret: male, MF 3.5 years old, recent adoption
from a
friend who couldn't take care of him (and his mate below). Has a
patch of a
couple of small warty looking things with scabs that he scratches
between his
shoulders (4 of them or so) which I assume are mast cell tumors. Do
they
need to be removed ASAP or can they wait for a surgery? A bit too
healthy of
an appetite *smirk* (he's a bit chubby, but not too bad). other than
that, just
came to me dirty and unkempt (needed a bath, toenail clipping, and
ear
cleaning). He also seems to have red reflections in his eyes all the
time, even
when the other two don't, but his pupils still contract in really
bright sunlight.
Might this be beginning cataracts? He still reacts visually very
well (for a
ferret).

**On a side note, any idea why all my guys seem to produce a lot of
earwax
(reddish, no mites that i know of). it just seems like i clean their
ears and two
days later, they're just as dirty...I try not to clean them often
enough to irritate
them (1-2 times per month with a bath).**

My third little sick ferret: male MF 2.5 year old adoption came with
above male.
Has small appetite, minor if any lethargy, but is peeing green today
(first time I
noticed it). All poops for him and bro above are fine though. Also,
somewhat
of a picky eater. has one larger (bit smaller than pencil eraser
size) mast cell
tumor of same description as above on his mid back. came in same
condition,
got same cleaning. What range of things cause green pee, what can I
do
about them at home until he sees a vet, and how life threatening are
they? ( I
might not be able to get him to a vet till next monday). This one
also has
yellow bottom tips of his canines too, and the others don't...is that
bad too?

Both the new guys bellies feel fine to me (not a vet) except that the
older one
has a slightly firmer spleen. however, my oldest guy has a much
firmer overall
belly (no lumps, just general muscle firmness like he's tightening
his tummy
mucles) when i palpate his tummy, though when he relaxes it's a bit
less firm,
but still firmer than the other guys. He also seems less relaxed in
general
(muscle and body, not attitude, he's the calmest of them all).

Any ideas would be helpful. I've left a message with my vet saying
the same.

Thanks in advance,
Amber & the boys