Message Number: SG5738 | New FHL Archives Search
From: skyatdawn@aol.com
Date: 2003-08-12 00:11:37 UTC
Subject: Fuzzy not getting well
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7691536.1060647097898.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

Hi all! I am new to this forum. My husband and I work in rehabilitating wildlife but we've got a current fuzzy that is confusing everyone.

Her former master is handicapped and went to attend college with her husband and dog. The dorm allowed the dog because it aided her. The fuzzy was not welcome so it was surrendered to a safe 'ferret' house about 5 weeks ago - very fat with a tiny little face. Her former master said that she was 3-4 years old.

We were called in about 2 weeks ago to help. Basically, the little fuzzy was dying. We provide full-time care and lots and lots of special attention and love. We've got some very good success stories.

Anyway, the vet prescribed ulcer medication - thinking that the little one was stressed in the new environment. She's been in two additional times with no improvement. She was switched to antibotics 9 days ago. The vet said the fuzzy is closer to 7 than 4 (just as a note). Here are her symptoms:

In the beginning, her body pulsated like a snake after feeding and she mewed continually. That has sensed stopped and we were able to add a little weight to her frame, even though we are force-feeding. She will drink her water. We gave her Rescue Remedy drops to help her de-stress when her pain was so evident.

These are her current symptoms:

Still has to be force-fed.

This evening, she really just didn't want to eat. Generally she will accept her 'bottle' of sustacal. Of course, we have duck soup running out of our ears here.

Seems to sleep a lot.

Tried to eat a raisin (yes we know it's not the healthiest thing around but vet encouraged anything that she would take) yesterday. She had trouble swallowing it even though it was broken up into tiny tiny pieces.

At times, she sounds stuffy (we are also treating that).

Paws at mouth (sign of sick tummy)when feeding sometimes.

We will of course return to the vet, but if you guys are like us, we get so attached to these little ones. Tomorrow is a long way's off when you know that the fuzzy is not at its best.

Any ideas? Any suggestion would be appreciated. Has anyone had a similar experience with their fuzzy? We have even thought that she may have an intestional blockage, but the vet didn't see anything in that area. She is no longer doing the pulsating thing. She just doesn't feel well at all and we are having problems with her appearing dehydrated - although she did pee a good deal earlier.

Also, vet took x-rays - no fluid in the lungs and nothing showed up that would be considered a blockage.

Thanks for any advice.

End of ferrethealth Digest
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