From:
rttrulock0000
Date: 2002-05-03 04:56:00 UTC
Subject: megasophogus? IBD? Help!
This is a little long, but details are needed. Hope someone on the
list can give me some insight. I have a 1.5 yr old ferret who has
always been long and lean. 2.25-2.5 lbs always. Last week I noticed
that he was sunken in a bit and had obviously lost some weight. I am
fortunate to have the Dook Nook and Jackie at my back door so off we
went last Saturday. He played Saturday, but wouldn't eat his
kibble. So, Jackie has been watching my little one all week so she
can try and see what is going on with his eating. Here is what we
have found. He will go over to the food bowl, sniff, walk away; go
over to the food bowl, pick up some food, lay it down, then walk
away; after picking up some food or sometimes after sniffing it
he'll lick his lips and then he opens his mouth wide, not yawning,
but almost stretching. Its almost like he wants to eat it but
something is preventing him from doing so. He has been on duck soup
as a daily "treat" for many months now, and he will eat soup. He was
getting about 3 tablespoons per night. In fact, he loves it and eats
a lot of it if given the opportunity. Since he hasn't eaten any
kibble to speak of all week, Jackie has been giving him soup at
regular intervals. Poops are a little loose, due to the amount of
soup, but not diarrhea. His teeth are good, one molar is discolored,
but I've seen much worse. He did eat a little puppy biscuit one day
this week. He plays, but not as long as he typically does, then goes
to curl up somewhere. This little one started off life rough in an
abusive home situation then was abandoned. Have no idea what kind
nor the amount of food he was provided early on in his life. Over
the last year he's been fed a mix of totally ferret, zupreem and duck
soup.
Have read about IBD, he does have some symptons like the weight loss,
but no vomiting or diarrhea. Megasophogus has entered my mind, but
I'm not seeing any difficulty eating soup nor large amounts of it.
His throat does have a little redness to it, maybe a sore throat,
strep?
We are at a loss. I'm guessing the next step would be either an x-
ray or endoscope. Has anyone else experienced such?
Thanks in advance for your help! Shelley