From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2004-02-14 02:35:31 UTC
Subject: RE: Something is wrong with Annika
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6885987.1076726131884.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Dear Jenn:
This is a tough one to diagnose based on clinical signs - I would try to ge=
t her to the vet near you to take some bloodwork - I am concerned about the=
possibility of insulinoma in any ferret of this age that exhibits neurolog=
ic signs - it is a very common problem, but these signs are just a bit diff=
erent from what we normally see. This vet may not be able to diagnose, but=
I think he can very easily collect some information that we may be able to=
diagnose from.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM
Author wrote:
> Hi,
> I live a minimum 12 hour drive away from the nearest vet that sees ferret=
s. I would drive but it is winter and road conditions are hazzardous. I am=
hoping to get some help as the vet near here said he will prescribe if nee=
ded but can't really diagnos. Annika turned 5 yesterday. She spent most o=
f the day sleeping which is not unusual for her. When she finally got up s=
he ate and seemed okay. When I went to feed her again last night I noticed=
that she was haivng trouble walking. At first I thought she was having tr=
ouble pooping. She was running from litter box to litter box trying to go,=
while running she was slipping, and almost falling over. As the night pro=
gressed she got worse, although she is still eating. She is having trouble=
standing, or walking but insists on running around. It appears to be her =
front and not rear legs that are affected, as she will continue to push wit=
h her rear legs while folding her front paws under her body. I worried abo=
ut dehydration and so I have given her 20cc's of Sub Q fluids over that las=
t 5 hours. She ate again this moring, and has gone to the bathroom with no=
signs of blood in her stools. She has peed on herself because of her diff=
iculty standing. Any ideas? She had a bad bout with Ulcers when she was 3=
, and has never returned to solid food. Her coat is lovely, no signs of ha=
ir loss. Right now her breathing does seem a little laboured, I am worried=
. Could she have had a stroke? Could this be a virus? Any help would be =
greatly apprieciated. =
> Thank you in advance
> Jenn
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