From:
Ferret Wise Shelter
Date: 2003-07-08 02:05:25 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Megaesophagus
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <5.1.1.6.2.20030707215751.0212c220@mail.usaexpress.net>
> If anyone has any ideas or suggestions we would greatly appreciate it,
> Marlon and I are very worried :(
>
>Thank you
>Sandy, Marlon & Brando
Hi Sandy-
Megaesophagus is not a nice disease-- actually if I recall it is basically
a cancer of the esophagus- the esophagus becomes thickened, fibrous ( hard
) and is not capable of pushing the food down anymore. We have had several
cases in the shelter in the past 10 years. The first was advanced as yours
is , by the time it was diagnosed.
FOr feeding - it will help if the soup (gruel) is liquid and you can hang
the ferret by holding at the scruff while feeding. It is also best to be
able to hang the ferret continually for 5 mins after the feeding to ensure
the food can slide down into the gut otherwise it will regurgitate it.
Unfortunately it is extremely difficult to get enough food in to sustain
the ferret for a long period of time.
I wish I had a brighter note but take cues form the ferret ad from the
vet... And love this kid with all you have this is a no- fun disease.
Best wishes to you all--
Fondly in ferrets-
Alicia D.
www.ferretwise.org