From:
imaznmom@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-08-11 17:32:44 UTC
Subject: Possible ECE w/o green stuff
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <35646.1060623164920.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
This is a long one, sorry, but I wanted to give as much info as possible.
My 16mo fem/spayed/descented ferret was taken to the er with the following symptoms:
Extreme lethary
approx 5% dehydration
inappetant
fever = 104F
excessive swallowing (like w/a sore throat in human)
Respiration = slightly labored, no audible wheezing
What I checked before I went to the ER:
BG = 117 (because of a diabetic cat, I had the testing equipment and was able to clip a nail)
stools= slightly seedy appearance on the back end of sample
no ocular/nasal discharge, but eyes very dull
no hairloss
no hyperkeratosis of pads or nose
no foreign body noticed on palpation of abdomen, was slightly tender ( I also checked all toys to make sure everything was accounted for)
MMs pink and good capillary action
no oral lesions noted, no foreign body noted in visible passages.
Annual vaccination = 02/2003
At the hospital:
CBC = high white count
Albumin = below normal range
Potassium = below normal range
all other blood tests = within normal range
X-ray of abdomen reveals visible enlargement of intestinal and stomach lining, no foreign body noticed.
Fecal sample on initial micro = low rod count, high fil count.
Supportive care was:
IV fluids
ketoprofen
amoxil
pred
response to care was negligible. Fever spiked back 2 hours after ketoprofen dosage. was offered A/D w/baby food chicken, refused. also refused to drink water. After 2nd day in hospital, failed to get up and around. Stools became very mucousy.
While Possum was euthanized after failing to respond to supportive care, I decided to have my vet send a fecal off to the pathologists, since I have one other ferret at home. She said it will take approx 10 days for a result. I clean the litter box 3 times a day, and haven't noticed any green stuff. Could this still be ECE?