From:
VICTORI885@aol.com
Date: 2002-01-08 05:39:00 UTC
Subject: sick ferret
I live in Gainesville, FL, and I have
a sick ferret. I really need some advice on what to do. I was driving at
night a couple days before xmas, and I saw a ferret run across the road. I
pulled over and caught him. I approached him very slowly, and he let me pick
him up. I picked him up with a towel that I had in my car. He was wet and
scared. It was cold and rainy outside. I noticed he was very curious from
the begining. I gave him dry dog food chopped and water for the first night.
I think it is a male. So, I will just call it a "he." He has great
temperment. He doesn't try to bite me and isn't too aggressive. I don't
know how long he had been out, but he was starting to act less lethargic. He
was infested with fleas, so I gave him a bath the next morning. He didn't
like it, but we got through it. I have had many pets in my life, and I have
never seen so many fleas on an animal before. His nose was white, but turned
pink after having no fleas for a couple of days. I had to go away for xmas,
and it got cold here. Last week it was in the 20's for a couple of days. I
had a friend take care of the ferret for me. I've become very attached to
it, and I take excellent care of him. I don't even mind that he stinks so
much anymore. I made my friend promise to turn the heat on if it got cold
like that, but I don't think he did. All I know now is that for the past
couple of days little stinky can barely lift his head. He has like no energy
at all. I feed him water through a dropper. He does drink it. I also hand
feed him IAMS cat food. He does eat it. His digestion system still is
working pretty well. Do you think he got sick because he was already sick
from being outside? I am doing everything I can to take good care of him and
to keep him hydrated. Should I wait a couple of days to see if he improves
or take him to the vet today? He can kind of crawl around a little, but he
isn't active like before. I go to the University of Florida, and classes
are starting this week. It is a difficult time to get him to the vet, but I
will do it. He also has the two dark blue markings behind his ear. I am
guessing that it signifies his breeder. I have no idea what shots he has had
and if he has been fixed. I am really upset that little stinky is so weak. I
guess he just stopped eating. He is a little better now that he is with me.
I would appreciate any advice that you have. I am also sorry that this email
is longer than I anticipated.
Victoria Corr