Message Number: SG2891 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-01-09 18:50:53 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] One of my ferrets is loosing weight!!!1
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20030109135053.21026607.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>

On Thu, 9 Jan 2003 12:12:09 +0000 (GMT+00:00)
mrequeman@hotmail.com wrote:

> I´ve recently took him to the vet and she
> analised his heces and found that he suffer a disbiosis and can´t
> digest properly so he has lost weiight becaiuse of that. I justa
> wanted to ensure that this is the actual problem or if you think it
> could be something different.

I think there is something lost in translation in the above quote, but
one thing I know for sure: there are ferrets with conditions that
prevent them from absorbing nutrients and digestive disorders. My
ferret Pertwee has pancreatitis which caused significant weight loss.
The treatment is to add a pancreatic enzyme (Viokase-V) to at least some
of his food to allow him to get the nutrition he needs. We add the
Voikase, which is a powder, to Bob Church's Chicken Gravy, which he
really enjoys. He dropped from 1,394 grams all the way to 802 grams
before we started the Viokase. Once treament was started he gradually
gained weight, and is now stable around 1,120 grams, which is a little
thin for him but not at all unhealthy.

I am not saying your ferret has pancreatitis. What I am saying is that
considering digestive/absorbtion issues when there are no other symtoms
makes sense.

I am not a vet, just a moderately experienced ferret owner.

Regards,
Caity and the non-stop nine