Message Number: SG5558 | New FHL Archives Search
From: harbourljmd@aol.com
Date: 2003-07-29 01:39:09 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] respiratory infection
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <26056784.1059443456707.JavaMail.nobody@strontium.smartgroups.com>

Dear Lisa

Thank you for answering me.

She has been checked for everything.
Her shots are up to date
the nose swabs showed Enterocater cloacae and Klebsiella oxytoca
She has been on Amoxicillin, Gentocin drops, Chlroamphenicol and now Baytril.

This problem has been ongoing for months and even the vet is discouraged. Also, I've sorta lost faith in her.

We've been through x-rays, bacterial analysis and several antibiotics: Stool analysis, urine analysis, secretions analysis.

The last analysis revealed enterobacter cloacae and klebsiella oxytoca in the nasal secretions.

Our vet who seems to have run out of ideas has suggested that we take our Ruby for a rhinoscopy. She's a 4 year-old female albino ferret.

She has not responded to any of the different antibiotics tried on her. chloramphenicol, gentocin, the last one was Baytril. These treatments have gone on for months and have produced little or no effect upon the infection.

I personally suspect a small foreign object because it is localised on her right side.

Now I am really scared and desperate. when I got home tonight the bridge of her nose has started to puff up and her breathing is more labored. Until this morning, she had her appetite. Tonight, she is ignoring her food.

I've tried eucalyptus vapors tonight but she is in bad shape. We're going to a new vet. I called the old one and got her file but i'm now concerned about getting her through the night. The old vet said that she'd wait for me an extra half hour but would charge me $50.00 more because of the delay.,We live 45 minutes away so I can't make it. She disgusted me and honestly, I don't know what she will do more than she has done for the past months, all of which has been uneffective.

I read about black elderberry for respiratory infections as an alternative medecine but right now i am really concerned about the sudden emergence of this bump on her nose.

I am desperate. My son lost his father and cannot lose his friend.

The closest facility that can do a endoscopic exam is 8 hours away at Guelph University Vetenarian Hospital and I am trying to get an appointment. We live in Montreal and it is in the next province.

I am open to any feed-back.... Anything from anyone.

Thanking you in advance.

Lou Harbour
harbourljmd@aol.com

> What is Ruby's vaccination status? Age? Has the vet ruled out Canine
> distemper? That would be where I would start. Do you have any other ferrets? Are they
> exhibiting symptoms if so? If its viral, the antibiotics aren't going to
> help...unless there is a secondary infection..