From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2004-01-30 07:49:52 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] WE DESPERATELY NEED HELP
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Law12-F980ZTDE1WyHc00030b68@hotmail.com>
First off, never rule out based on age. Lymphoma can hit at any age,
Adrenal can be seen a bit earlier in certain lines, stroke can happen at any
age it is just the cause that may differ, Head trauma (well there you
should know unless he is left unsupervised for periods of time.
Next, the metaclopramide is a GI stimulant and may prevent vomiting, but if
there is any chance of obstruction NOT A GOOD IDEA TO USE it could liead to
a GI rupture.
The head tilt and incoordination (stumbles in the rear) suggest inner ear
infection, vestibular problem, stroke, tumor, etc. The black stools sugest
gastric ulcer (carafate and an antacid are needed esp when on pred), the
weight loss and variable appetite along with the dark stools and possibility
of ulcer make me think of fur balls in the stomach (very often missed
diagnosis and can be missed on x rays even contrast x rays) I have had 2
ferrets that lost half their body weight had dark stools variable appetites
etc. that were from hairballs all around the same age as yours. This does
not explain the head tilt but it could be unrelated or the symptoms are all
tied to a neurological problem. The head tilt and incoordination are
causing nausea which drops his appetite.
I would try an antibiotic that penetrates the nervous system such as
Chloramphenicol or trimeth sulfa. Just becasue we don't see infection in
the ears does not mean there is nothing deeper. The prednisolone is a good
idea for neuro problems, but also use the antibiotics and treat for an
ulcer. One of the ferrets with the fur ball obstruction also had a gastric
ulcer and no real signs but unfortunately the ulcer hemorrhaged and he died
before we had a chance. So use something to protect from this.
You do need more diagnostics and to consider all possible options, don't let
yourself get blinded and go down too narrow a path, there are many
possibilities and they should be ruled out but using diagnostics not age for
a true answer.
I wish you the best and hope this helps some. Questions? Okay to email off
list.
Dr. Sue
>From: mariansue32262@yahoo.com
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>Subject: [ferrethealth] WE DESPERATELY NEED HELP
>Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2004 04:12:08 +0000 (GMT)
>
>I am posting this to the FML and CarpetSharks (And now here). Please feel
>free to crosspost. We really need help. We are all stumped as to what is
>going on.
>
>The beginning of December JoJo was close to 4 pounds. He lost a little bit
>of weight after we got two more ferrets but we attributed that to him
>getting some exercise. As of today, he weighs 1.9 pounds.
>
>Friday, JoJo was up and completely normal.
>
>Last Saturday when JoJo didn't come out of the cage with the other kids (I
>let him sleep a little longer) I finally woke him up to play. When I sat
>him on the floor (after waking him enough) he acted like he was dizzy, and
>started walking in circles. He was still eating and drinking and pooping.
>We ended up taking him to one of the vet hospitals here. The doctor ran
>blood work and kept him at the hospital overnight. Glucose levels were
>fine. The only thing wrong with his blood work was that his liver values
>were high. I've been told that is probably because he hasn't been eating
>as much. The X-rays came out fine too. When that doctor started talking
>about euthenizing, I pulled JoJo out of that hospital as fast as I could.
>
>JoJo went to his dr. the next day. The dr. put JoJo on Prednisone (Pred
>Sod Pho 6.7/5mlliq) and something to settle his stomach (Metoclopram
>5mg/5ml syp). JoJo was showing progress for a little while and he still
>does sometimes.
>
>We had his urine checked today and it came out normal and the results of
>the ADV test were negative (YEAH!).
>
>He is still eating and drinking but not nearly enough. I have begun force
>feeding. Yesterday he had bloody poops and was straining to pee. He isn't
>straining as much today.
>He gets up to play but he is so wobbly that he can't do much. I even had
>to hold him up so he could use his box this morning. His head tilts and
>when he stands or tries to walk, sometimes he falls. (Mom says its his
>back end that falls.)
>
>We have pretty much ruled out some sort of head trauma, Lymphoma, and
>Adrenal and stroke (the latter 3 because he's only 2 yrs). But we can't
>figure out what is going on.
>
>Keep in mind that his spirits are VERY good. He wants attention and he
>wants to play. He just can't.
>
>The dr. is planning to talk with his dr friends over the next couple of
>days to see if they have any ideas, but I wanted to post and see if ANYONE
>can help. PLEASE, I'm desperate.
>
>Please feel free to privately e-mail me or post. ANY help is appreciated.
>Thank you in advance.
>
>MarianSue32262@yahoo.com
>
>P.S.
>
>I have altered this from my original post since I found out I can't mention
>drs. names.
>
>There is no possibility of him getting into an anti-coagulant since there
>are none in the house.
>
>To my knowledge they did not do an ultrasound at the hospital and I know
>the dr he's seeing now didn't do it.
>
>Both drs. examined his ears and there is no sign of infection.
>
>He has not yet been vaccinated for rabies. When we first found a vet here
>we were told it "wasn't necessary." He has had his distemper shot though
>(I believe it was in November.)
>
>His poops aren't the same every time. They are very dark right now.
>Sometimes firm, sometimes runny. The dr. thinks it's because he hasn't
>been eating right (he would only eat cat treats for a couple of days). I
>have started feeding him kibble ground and mixed with warm water. He seems
>to be taking it okay so far. It's only been 2 feedings so far, so I can't
>tell if his poops have changed yet.
>
>I do have him in a sick cage away from the other ferrets. I was afraid
>they would play too rough with him and make him worse.
>
>I'm sorry if this seems all mixed up but I'm felling all mixed up right
>now. Hopefully you can make some sense of it.
>
>Thank you!
>
>Marian
>
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>--
>If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
>visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
>
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