From:
carol@seaglass.us
Date: 2003-04-10 03:05:43 UTC
Subject: My ferret has a chronically swollen anus
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20801048.1049943943294.JavaMail.root@scandium>
I have been trying since this Fall to solve a health problem that my 1 1/2 year old ferret, Reiley, is experiencing. At this point, my local vet is stymied, and suggesting I find a specialist....
This past Fall, our ferret developed a swollen anus - inflamed and uncomfortable for him. He had difficulty defecating, and was straining often and excreting mucus (clear, or stained by fecal matter) or he had diarrhea. He was treated with 15 ml amoxicillin and 120 mg Metronidazole for 14 days to treat Helicobacter. The symptoms went away is 2-3 days. We were told he probably got it from digging in dirt that was infected. We thoroughly cleaned his cage with each treatment - he lives alone, except when he is boarded with our ferret sitter who has two ferrets he stays with. At the time of first incidence he had regular play dates with a friends ferret.
The same symptoms came back a few months later, and were treated the same way, but the amoxicillin didn't clear it up in the first course, so we repeated it for 14 more days. I also applied antibiotic cream or A&D Ointment to help the inflamed anus - very raw. By this time the play date ferret was no longer visiting. He had been boarded between outbreaks.
In the beginning of this year we had a problem where Reilly found a ancient block of mouse poison that unknowingly was under our baseboard heater (old house - left by previous owner). He proudly brought it to us, and because we could not tell if he had ingested any, we did a course of liquid Charcoal feedings with a syringe three times a day for three days to keep him from being poisoned by the block. He was fine.
Then we have the third flare up in about 5 months. Same symptoms. The Vet put him on 125 mg Albon and did a blood test (sent out of the office). Three days later she said they had found Reiley had low glucose. No other problems showed up in the test. She asked if he was listless. He is the calmest, snuggliest ferret we have ever had - very willing to just sit on your lap and be held or sleep. He does have moments of play - he's not totally snoozy. But pretty mellow. She also said that this could indicate a pancreatic tumor.
She did another blood test in the office a few days later. His glucose levels were fine that time. She took him off the Albon. His anus was no longer swollen and his bowel movements had normalized.
The vet said that we should give his some honey occasionally. She also suggested we try to feed him fresh, cooked chicken or turkey (he would not eat this) to see if it was a food allergy (He eats 8 - 1 Ultra-blend Advance Nutrition for Ferrets and is a good eater, but is skinny.) He doesn't like any ferret treats other than Ferretone, which he gets for a treat everyday after running back from the bus-stop down our 500 foot long driveway in the morning. The Vet also suggested we switch him to spring water (we have a well).
So now, about 3 weeks later he has another flare-up. All the same symptoms, and seems pretty listless. We are giving him about a dime sized drop of honey 2-3 times a day. Still on spring water. Eating fine. His anus is super swollen and he has actually scratched it in one place. I am putting antibiotic cream and A & D ointment on it and cleaning it with wet naps. He is straining to have bowel movements, and is having small accidents in places other than the kitty litter, which is very unlike him.
My vet has recommended we find a specialist (she recommended University of Penn. Their first appointment isn't for many weeks. I am concerned he will by then be asymptomatic.). I would really appreciate your advice or thoughts on this. We dearly love Reiley and hate to see him uncomfortable.
Please reply if you can help me.
Thank you - Carol