From:
k72350@yahoo.com
Date: 2003-09-02 22:03:37 UTC
Subject: sudden mystery disease..spiking fever, Beeker
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1814833.1062540217388.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Dear ferret lovers,
I am posting because I believe (as does my vet) that our lovely 7 month old male Marshall farms ferret Beeker is sick with the same disease which has killed other ferrets (I'm not sure of all their names, but Chiclet, Duster, Yoda, Max and Clara may be amongst the affected) and am desperately trying to seek more information and/or remedies which were not tried before.
He has been on the conventional antibiotics for a week, IV support, etc and the conventional ferret diseases have too been ruled out. He remains in a state of lethargy, spiking temperature and very weak in the hind end, with some strange toe curling.. (These were his original symptoms.) I'm afraid he will run out of time and that there may be no "magic bullet" which will cure him..He also has one pupil which does not constrict..I do not think he is eating by himself anymore. His repiration is quick and he may be losing control of his bladder. This condition/disease was VERY sudden onset..one day he seemed a bit quiet and the next day he had a raging fever and ataxia.
He is seeing a wonderful vet who speializes in ferrets (we are in Oregon) and I would very much appreciate any advice anyone could give me. I'm sorry I do not know his blood values and other pertinent facts about him..My only thought now is that he may be sufferring from congenital toxoplasmosis. I have thought of things like Advantage (flea drop) reaction, the similarity between this an Feline Infectious Peritonitis and even POLIO!! At this point the vet is not sure whether it is basically some bacteria and/or virus or something else altogether...
I am sorry about those who have lost your ferrets to this disease. Thank you.
Kathy and Alyssa
End of ferrethealth Digest
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