Message Number: YG13199 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Jacqui Snyder
Date: 2002-05-21 02:14:00 UTC
Subject: Ferret won't eat or drink--vet doesn't know why

If you reply to my question, please send your response to me directly, as
well as to the list.

A 3-year old male ferret from a reputable small breeder has stopped eating
and drinking on his own. He will consume watery foods (duck soups) and
Nutrical if he is hand fed, but not otherwise. Without hand feeding, he
dehydrates and has to have injected fluid. He was given a course of
antibiotics. Tests and x-rays are inconclusive. The only symptoms,
besides anorexia, are watery eyes and less energy than his sibling. What's
especially worrisome is that the ferret just isn't regaining his
appetite--this has been going on for about a month.

He has been exposed to ECE, but this doesn't look like it at all. He also
escaped for about two hours and killed some baby wild rabbits, about two
months ago. It is not thought that they were poisoned, although the vet
looked into that possibility.

The vet has considered poisons, illnesses from the rabbits, ECE, a bowel
irritation, blockage, ulcers, and a few other possibilities. The only thing
that's clear at this point is that we have a sick ferret.

Does anybody have an idea of what is wrong with this little guy?

Thanks,
Jacqueline
Jacqueline Snyder