From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2004-02-25 17:19:58 UTC
Subject: RE: Mystery illness Tissue results? ideas? Attention Dr. Williams
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6046999.1077729598154.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
If her white count doesn't begin to go sky high (or isn't already sky high if she has had this a while), and she doesn't have sepsis (and sometimes also cellulitis) then she doesn't fit for the primary signs of the current "mystery illness" even though she has a high fever.
> She has clear liqiud from her nose- a few drops sometimes
> Her breathing is labored- only sometimes...sounding more like a stuffed nose- >rather than any lung problems
Have her sinuses been scoped to look for infection, tumor, foreign body, etc.? Try pain meds first, though, to see if the breathing is a response to pain. Our own experience is that ferrets tolerate the pain meds a vet will prescribe very well (NOT over the counter pain meds -- some of which are fatal for ferrets). If the breathing problem remains then that is different from what we encountered.
Did you ever find out from your vet if the lump she had was a swollen node or some other type of lump? Was there an actual wound present on the outside? These are important points to clarify. The ferrets with the illness are not showing outside wounds at the lump and the lump is a node. In those ferrets the node swells to an enormous size (large enough to prevent use of the leg) within hours of the ferret being prefectly well and playing.
> She did have X-rays- all clear except for some gas in her belly.
> she had complete bloodwork a week ago- all normal.
That is not consistent with the current mystery illness
Yes, do repeat the blood work if your vet feels that the ferret is up to it. These ferrets have the white blood count so sky high -- higher numbers even than tends to be seen with lymphoma have been encountered. Also, they tend to have some anemia (which is not uncommon with sepsis).
> I see that someone bravely sacrificed their baby and tissue was sent to DR >Williams..........has anything come of that?
First off, remember that the ferret might have had antibiotics on-board. If so, it may not be possible to find anything. Secondly, if something which may be novel is being sought it takes time not only to find to to verify that it really could be or is the cause of the illness. It's not the easy procedure expected from popular media. Once there is a candidate there is still work to do.
> her temp is from normal to almost 105.........lately....it has been higher at >times.......
Try a cotton ball with some rubbing alcohol on the paws to help reduce fever level.
> She has a good appetite.......20 cc's per every two hours.....not force fed willing to eat from a syringe-but not independently.
Those two things are consitent with the illness, but can also happen with other things.
This might be case of the syndrome if that white count goes up to incredible levels and if some other things fit, or it might be something else.