From:
DonRull@aol.com
Date: 2003-07-28 16:02:36 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] wasting ferret, need help asap
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <11d.24a7bae5.2c56a31c@aol.com>
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I had the same thing start a little over a week ago. We had just added a
young girl from the shelter here and both my vet and I thought it was probably
something emotional from adding the new ferret. Well, it continued...and the
vet was telling me to keep administering subq fluids and force feeding the duck
soup and whatever else he would eat. The initial green stool changed to brown
and very watery and he only vomited once that I knew of. When he vomited, he
was also staring off into space a little and bobbing his head. This was an
indicator that it could be Insulnoma which can sometimes be triggered by
emotional events (from what I am told). Well, a couple of days ago Timon finally
had his first semi-firm bowel movement. I am still feeding him duck soup, but
not nearly as often as he has resumed eating and drinking.
So, what did I do? The subq fluids is something you simply must do or have
done if your little one is not eating or drinking. It will deteriorate very
quickly if you do not. Also, the duck soup is essential. I also gave my guy
some anti-diahreal and also something like Pepto Bismol to settle the stomach.
This may not be the same thing you are experiencing, but if it is feel free to
e-mail me back if you have more questions.
Also, I discovered from our local ferret shelter (who helped an INCREDIBLE
amount) that force feeding was not what I expected. Especially with the duck
soup...there is a way to get them to eat it pretty well. You may still have to
scruff, but truly force feeding can cause a form of pneumonia that is far more
troubling!
Hope this helps a bit!
Of course, it could also be the green slime disease. Have you or anyone else
in your household been around other animals recently? It would have to have
been within a couple days of handling your ferret as it is simply that
contagious. If this is the case, the same supportive care that I mentioned above is
required.
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