From:
eezilee_amuzed
Date: 2002-06-01 10:19:00 UTC
Subject: urination issues and assessment advice
I adopted a couple ferrets 5 days ago. One, the male, Loki, was
brought to the vet 2 days after I brought him home because his urine
ranged from puss-like to cloudy with floating granular-like things.
The vet suspected an infection, possibly protrate, due to the
abnormalities (blood, puss, not sure what else) in the urine. He was
put on Baytril and a follow up appointment for a week later was made.
I called the vet today because Loki making frequent attempts to
urinate and either doesn't produce anything at all or small amounts.
He is eating, drinking, and playing like a normal ferret. Anyway, the
vet (through the support staff) asked me to feel his bladder and see
if it is large or swollen-feeling. I have a basic knowledge of ferret
anatomy but I couldn't tell what I was feeling for! All the poking
and squeezing made Loki run to the litter box and empty his bladder -
and more than he has been. The poking and squeezing didn't seem to
cause him any pain. So, the vet office recommended I "keep an eye on
it" - if I feel the bladder or prostrate any bigger or if he stops
urinating all together - to give them a call. Should I - a mere pet
owner with no training - be able to feel for this and if so, how? I
suppose I can now guage if there is any change in that general region
if I feel him often. By the way, when checked 5 minutes later (trying
to get a better feel for what his insides feel like..hehe) he again
went to relieve his bladder.
My questions:
What does a normal bladder and prostrate feel like? If it was
enlarged and swollen?
Is he safe as long as he is urinating some and acting normal otherwise
(until next vet visit on Wednesday)?
Thanks!
Two different titles so two posts combined:
I adopted 2 ferrets 5 days ago. The male, Loki, was brought to the vet 2 days ago because his urine seemed at times puss-like and at other times seemed to have granular type things in it. Urine tests showed he did have blood, puss, and I can't remember what else in it. The vet thought it may be an infected prostrate and he was put on Baytril. I called the vet this morning because he makes frequent attempts at urination but it usually produces little urine or none at all. The vet, through the support staff, asked me to feel to see if his bladder was large or swollen. Now, I have a basic understanding of ferret anatomy but I didn't know what I was feeling for! The poking and squeezing didn't seem hurt Loki but it made him run off to urinate more than he has in a while. I was told that I should "keep an eye on it" and as long as the bladder doesn't seem to get bigger and he doesn't stop urinating all together then I shouldn't have to bring him in until his follow up appointment on Wednesday. A few minutes later after I got off the phone, figuring I better familiarize myself with how Loki feels now so I can gauge any change, my poking and squeezing (not done too hard!) again made him run off and urinate a significant amount. Loki is eating, drinking, playing fine, and doesn't seem to be in any pain when he attempts to urinate.
My questions:
How can I, a mere pet owner with no training, tell if a bladder is swollen or dangerously enlarged?
As long as he is eating, drinking, acting fine, and urinating some, should he be alright until his follow up appointment?