From:
Ferret Wise Shelter
Date: 2003-03-19 21:24:21 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Malabsorption?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.2.20030319161904.02758b60@mail.usaexpress.net>
HI Dan-
I AM NOT a vet-0 but have expreienced a number of illness over the years as
a shelter person.
I am curious - did the vet run a blood panel to check liver values?
Sometimes the appetite will be off if the liver reacts to anesthesia..
the stool you describe sounds like either the result of infection or lower
GI condition. I would strongly urge you top drop off the fecal sample for
testing ASAP- to rule out coccidia or other parasites ( sometimes these
show up with a compromised immune condition). The longer he remains with
this condition the worse the healing process once the illness is identified.
Malabsorption problems we are familiar with are usually the result of
lymphosarcoma of the GI tract or an over feeding of mineral oil
administered for hair balls etc. I think running a fecal check and blood
will reveal the culprit that has your kid dragging a bit.
sending good thoughts
Alicia
www.ferretwise.org\
At 03:53 PM 3/18/03 -0600, you wrote:
>My boy Foster had lost his appetite after adrenal surgery and I had to
>supplement him with A-D/baby food mix. He lost nearly a pound. Now his
>appetite seems to be OK but he has not gained weight back (if anything, he's
>lost more). Unfortunately I haven't access to a suitable scale. I'll be taking
>him in a few days to get his rabies shot so I'll have another weight figure
>soon. Intermittently he has runny, strong-smelling, olive-drab colored poop
>(NOT "slimy" or "bird-seedy", more like thin pudding). Other times his poop is
>soft but otherwise normal. No blood or "coffee grounds" either. His diet is
>mostly kibble (mix Totally Ferret, Marshals, Eukanuba chicken/rice cat like
>the others eat) plus chicken baby food (12 mL 2-3x/day). He's been getting 0.1
>cc Pediapred in about 1/2 teaspoon of heavy whipping cream. Could he have
>developed malabsorption?
>
>Also, at times he shows discomfort when eating and drinking. It looks like
>he's gotten something really nasty tasting and he smacks his mouth and shakes
>his head. It isn't all the time. Vet hasn't found any signs of mouth
>infections, sores, etc. He's going back to the vet on Saturday. I'd be
>grateful for any suggestions.
>
>Dan
>
>
>
>
>
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