From:
roseybloom@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-07-22 00:57:18 UTC
Subject: Duster and his mystery illness.... Your help is requested....
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <422998.1058835438111.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
I am copying an email I posted to another group to stretch out and obtain any information possible for my ferret, Duster. If you can help with any specific information (from your vet to my vet) I would greatly appreciate it.
Thanks so much, and Best to All!
Alexandra
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I apologize for dumping this huge request - but calling on your help could potentially save future fuzzy lives.
Here is the scoop....
I have taken my ferret to 2 different vets (both of which have been wonderful) but no one seems to know what is wrong
with our little fert. We are feeling hopeless. We are struggling
with the idea of putting our Duster to sleep.
Of course, we do not want to do this - which is why I solicited the help of this group (and so far, have been overwhelmed with the support of Tara, Dianna and Margaret *big hugs and thanks so much*).
With their help, I no longer feel so alone and desperate. My vet is now communicating with a ferret expert ;) and whether or not we are able to save our Duster, I am hopeful that no matter what - we are able to find the cause and solution for the below described illness-virus-infection.
Here are the facts...
Duster has been sick for 3 weeks and is 7 months old
He has gone from 2 pounds to 1.4 pounds.
He had a very high fever (107) that we are controlling with Prednisone and he is steady at 104-ish. Since we have started his second antibiotic (Clindamyacin) - the fever is steady between 102.7-103.7.
He is on 2 forms of antibiotics and Prednisone. The antibiotics are: clavomox tablets and Clindamycin Hydrochloride Drops. The later was only started this Sunday.
(His white blood cell count came in at 89.00 (which I understand the normal count is around 10?)
There are no abnormal cancer cells present - and no way to find the source of the infection. His liver is fine, etc etc. *Distemper was also ruled out*
He has lost energy, and no longer uses his hind legs (but when I
massage them, he tries to nip at my fingers, so I know he has
feeling...)
He no longer eats - I must feed him by hand (gruel).
His stools are loose, but not discolored (I am assumming this is from the soft food...) At one point, mucus accompanied his stools, but this has not been present for over a week and half.
Now here comes for the begging part..... (getting down on my knees and crying out in desperation) PAHLEASE if your ferret has or had similar condition that no vet has been able to diagnose, would you mind having your vet fax our vet his notes, treatments, thoughts, etc? If you are able to help with information, please email me so we can arrange for your vet to fax information to my vet. My email address is roseybloom@yahoo.com.
With much respect, kind regards,
Alexandra (and Duster!)
End of ferrethealth Digest
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