From:
Betty
Date: 2002-05-12 00:20:00 UTC
Subject: Eddie: Sudden hind end weakness/wobbliness
Hi gang,
I am forwarding this message to the group with hopes of someone having
an idea of what may be going on. I was asking some questions to get some
idea of what may be going on, and she has given her responses as well.
If you have anything that may of use to Ellen, could you please e-mail
her directly at: "Ellen" <ejlist@a...>
Thank you!
betty and her blur o'fur
for the love of ferrets
* * * * *
To: blurofur@s...
today's lab work:
ALKP 116 U/L normal 9-84
ALT 846 U/L normal 82-289
BUN 21.9 mg/dl normal 10.0-45.0
CREA .44 mg/dl normal .40-.90
GLU 176.8 mg/dl normal 94.0 - 207.0
TP 6.76 g/dl normal 5.20 - 7.30
urinalysis normal except for blood +++ and bilirubin +++
B: Oh gosh... I'm sorry to hear about Eddie. Have you heard anything
back from the vet yet?
E: had 3 things going. The extremity problem, a urinary tract
infection, and very high lab work on the liver. He gave him an
antibiotic (Augmentin-oral liquid) and a cortisone shot. the shot in
case it was a disc problem--he didn't want to give any more orally
because of the oral steroid being harder on the liver.
B: Hind end weakness is not specific to any disease or illness, but
rather a sign that could be associated with anything.
E: the urinary tract infection????? The vet thought it was possibly a
disc problem--but Daryl didn't agree. He thinks it's systemic. (He
agrees with you) It's not just hind end--it was front end too although
the front was not as bad as the back.
B: Is it insulinoma?
E: No, glucose was normal
B: Was Eddie having a seizure?
E: no, his hind end was quivering but it was loss of control. when he
tried walking he fell to his side. he couldn't get into his litter box.
he was docile and lethargic the whole day.
B: Are his back feet cold or warm to the touch?
E: warm
B: Did he fall injuring his spinal column?
E: not that I know of. I WAS gone in the afternoon yesterday, but when
I got home there was no sign of anything out of place. Usually if he's
been on anything there are things he knocks off eg: the stuff on the
bathroom countertop etc. He did take a nasty fall in--I think it was
October--but he's been fine all this time.
B: Does he seem in pain when touched in any other area of the body?
E: doesn't seem to be.
B: Does he have some use of his legs or none at all?
E: some. Very little in the a.m., by the time I got to the vets he was
walking a little although he looked like a drunk. jerky.
B: Could he have had a seizure causing a brain lesion? Like a stroke?
E: doesn't seem to be. he's equal on both sides. not lopsided
B: Could he have wedged himself in somewhere and pinched a nerve
somewhere and then eventually got out?
E: when he came out of his sleeping place last night at 6:30 he was
fine. he had been under the dresser--a place that he loves to go--in
fact I noticed that he has confiscated as many of my clothes as possible
and has made a nice bed under there. I gave him a treat and put him in
his cage, located Lucy and put her in bed. [snipped] So I was putting
them to bed now, but that I would stop at the grocery store on the way
home and get them a mango--they love mangos! When I got home at
midnight, I thought it odd that Eddie didn't awaken at the smell of the
mango--Lucy sure did. after her nibble I put her back to bed.
We got home from a wedding reception about 9:30. Eddie was more alert
than he had been all day. He was interested Lucy--he always wants to
make sure she's ok and he wanted a drink. I had lowered his water
bottle in the cage so he could drink while lying down, but I took him to
the bathroom and he drank out of my hand. We gave him his liq
antibiotic--which he fought--I hand fed him and then he wanted back in
bed. I put him in his cage and he headed for his igloo--hind end very
low like a slinky--but he WAS moving under his own steam. I was
somewhat encouraged that he was more alert. Head up, looking around,
interested in the water in my hand etc.
B: When I see a ferret fall over who is wobbly, I think first, insulinoma...
E: the normal glucose should have ruled that out--right?
B: It should, but the reading needs to be done after a fast to be sure.
If the wobbliness does not improve, I would suspect that it may not be insulinoma.
B: secondly, a seizure of some sort.
E: didn't appear to be having a seizure at all. The vet told me to
watch for that, but I haven't seen any symptoms of that.