From:
tansy
Date: 2002-05-27 20:53:00 UTC
Subject: tremors cured
Natasha aka 'tasha toes the Russian bear is an almost
8 year old late alter sable ferret with no other
health problems. Approximately a year ago she started
having what I would describe as head tics which
progressed slowly over the year to mild tremors. My
vet could not ascertain their cause(at least without
doing anyting more invasive than we wanted to do).
She and 2 other oldsters are the only mustelid
inhabitants of my bedroom, and when Ginger got an ear
infection I treated all of them with Tresaderm I
noticied 'tasha's tremors/tic improved. Which got me
to thinking the tremors might be mite be connected.
I have been been planning for months to treat all my
guys with subq Ivermectin, but with all the crises...
Well, I walked into another one last Thursday (several
hours after Tansy's seizures) when I realized I hadn't
seen 'Tasha. When I found her she was slightly
dehydrated,weak, and had tremors so badly they were
rocking her about 2 inches, and happening every couple
seconds.So, I thinned some chicken baby food for her
to slurp (didnt need to give her subq fluids thank
heavens), a shot of Baytril and a shot of Ivermectin.
I figured I would be in my vet's office the next
evening (the first time she had hours), if not at her
house before....
But, she started feeling better right away. By the
morning the tremors were better, and as of yesterday
are COMPLETELY gone. Not even a tic. She's eating
anything that doesn't move, and has put on over an
ounce already.
So, any of the vets please jump in, but I assume that
it must have been my favorite pesky ear mites causing
this problem. And, no, her ears did not look that bad.
Just a bit of dark crumbly "wax". Yes, I presumed she
had mites-most ferrets I see judging do. But not awful
ones.
My plan is to repeat the ivermectin once a week over
the next 4 weeks to make sure I kill the thrice damned
things. She's also on Biaxin for a week for some yukky
looking teeth.
But, at least it's nice to fix something for a change!
And also something to consider if you see this in your
ferrets.
tansy
_
[Okay, this may be over-kill, but I have a bit of a microscope nad among the things I use it for is to periodically check the ferrets' ear wax. It's been a huge help. The mites really are not al that tiny, but they are kind of transparent -- their motion gives them away, though. I wonder what power lens is needed to see them and if there are more inexpsnive ways folks could do this at home? Anyone know? Suggestions? --Sukie]