From:
Garfield_30@hotmail.com
Date: 2004-09-08 21:24:13 UTC
Subject: Just had surgery
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <8373792.1094678653769.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Well, the other day my 3 1/2 yo male, Bear had surgery to have bladder stones removed. I dont think I had the best vet, but they were the only one in the area that took ferrets and spoke English. (I'm in Germany via the US Army) They didnt keep him hydrated and wouldnt force him to eat so he didnt eat or drink anything for over a week. They gave him IV fluids, but I dont think they gave him enough. Well, he is now only like half the size he was, and he is severely dehydrated. He still refuses to eat or drink anything. He also grinds his teeth every time I feed him. It concerns me, but I think it may be because of the insicion in his belly.
Do any of you ladies or gentlemen have any suggestions on how to get him hydrated and weight gained? I have been give him 3-6 cc of pedialyte every 2 hours and feeding him his food crushed and mixed with water every 3-4 hours. I tried to feed him chicken baby food, but he refuses to eat it, he doesnt fight his food as much. A few times he actually attacked the spoon/syringe. And I have been giving him ferretone after every time he eats. I have ferrevite on order cause they dont sell it around here. It probably wont be here till next week though. I dont know what else to do. He is now to the point where it takes 2 people to feed him. My husband to pry his jaw open, and me to put food in there, and the whole time he is trying to swallow it he is grinding his teeth.
Thanks so much for any advice!
Heather