Message Number: SG3232 | New FHL Archives Search
From: gtowndazi@aol.com
Date: 2003-02-11 00:49:28 UTC
Subject: cough, enlarged area above heart vets?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <17235731.1044924568484.JavaMail.root@scandium>

We adopted a baby ferret in Dec. Katie is now approximately 4 months old and weighs .9kg. She has had a cough since day one. To rule out hairball, she was given laxatone and a shot of dexamethazone. She was still coughing a week later.

Cough occurs 2-3 times a day sometimes after waking, sometimes after eating, sometimes after playing. It is not predictable.

Distemper has been ruled out, since she is very active. Colds and flu have been ruled out. Her throat is clear, no runny nose, no fever.

She had an xray in the office on Friday (Feb 8, 2003). It shows an enlarged area at the top of the heart. It may be fluid? It may be baby fat that has been unabsorbed? It may be something aspirated?

I looked at the xrays posted by another member of this board.
www.ferretlove.co.uk/masonx.htm

This looks more pronounced than Katie's, but the same enlargement is present at the base of the trachea (hers is just not quite as wide). The ferret in the posted xrays was said to be lethargic and ill. Katie is active and acting very normal.

She is taking Aminophylline, Pediapred and Furosimide right now. Our vet is trying to contact a couple other vets for opinions.

Does anyone have an opinion?
Thank you,
Randi