From:
hferretluv@msn.com
Date: 2003-02-10 21:22:57 UTC
Subject: RE: tracheal calcification
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <17402784.1044912177529.JavaMail.root@scandium>
I hope the people here at the health list can come up with something. You all have pulled off quite a few miracles, That I have seen.
I'm not a doctor or a vet, but, there are human meds for decalcification. Does anyone know if they are safe for ferrets, too? I'd tell you the name of the med they gave me to remove excess calcium from my neck and shoulders, but I do not remember it. Sorry.
What would cause calcification in the trachea? Just air quality?
Harold Kraus
Author wrote:
> I have an 11-month old ferret who I adopted from a shelter at 6 months old. He's had horrible, sporadic coughing fits ever since I brought him home that I can only describe as a very loud, dry, honking goose kind of sound.
Radiographs show tracheal calcification (very obvious and defined rings on the xray). The vet says that this is likely due to chronic bronchitis or poor air quality during his formative months. I have two questions about this. One - does this sound like the likely cause of his coughing fits? And two - what is there that I an do to ease or remedy this situation? The vet has just started him on a bronchial dilator (Theophylline) and we are going to see if that has any effect, but is a twice daily med the only possibility available?