From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2004-04-20 03:53:48 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Mystery Illness
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <BAY15-F14kARKGqViVF0005c30f@hotmail.com>
Be sure to look for toxins, especially airbourne ones. Gas Leaks, Carbon
Monoxide, etc. Often when things happen like this there is on outside
cause. Be safe and have it looked into because the signs you describe could
be related to a gas toxicosis. Find out so that you save yourself as well
if not your little one. All the best.
Dr. Sue
>From: horridcow@comcast.net
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Mystery Illness
>Date: Mon, 19 Apr 2004 21:10:17 +0100 (BST)
>
>My two ferrets have fallen mysteriously ill. This has happened once before.
>Both went catatonic as a result and the vet had little or no hope for their
>recovery -- but they did get better.
>
>But it's happened again, and I don't know what to do. I have a great
>exotics vet that's familiar with ferts. They're doing everything they can.
>
>Here's a little about the illness; I'm hoping someone can help me out.
>
>I have two ferrets, one female, two years old, and one male, four. They're
>both fixed. I feed Totally Ferret (and Marshall's Farms Duk Soup, some
>paste treats and Ferretone occasionally). I use Yesterday's News or Good
>Mews (recycled paper pellets) bedding. They are a little behind on their
>shots, but were current last time this happened so distemper was ruled out.
> They have not been outside, or had contact with any other ferrets, etc.
>
>They just stop eating, and drinking, and go downhill very quickly, leaving
>them malnurished, dehydrated, and nearly catatonic. This happens to both at
>the same time, which makes things like bowel obstructions, cancer, etc.
>unlikely.
>
>Spike has neurological issues this time, she's curling to one side and
>won't twist the other way. This morning the vet said she'd been rolling all
>night, and was nearly corkscrewed when the vet went to check on her.
>
>They are only allowed free in a ferret-proofed room, and we only use
>non-toxic cleaners (Simple Green). I have checked around their cage many
>times and I can't find anything they might get into. Last time they
>underwent a tox screen which came back negative.
>
>There are no lumps or obstructions that the vet can find. CBC panels came
>back inconclusive last time. Signs of inflammation, but nothing more
>helpful than that. They're doing a new ferret specific one this time, maybe
>that will turn something up.
>
>Part of those have come back. Spike's glucose is very high (the vet says
>that that could be stress). Wiggy's, though, is the opposite -- extremely
>low. (Low normal is 80, his came back as 10.) The vet said that doesn't fit
>the clinical picture, though, as he was moderately alert when I brought him
>in, so she's redoing it.
>
>The vet has said that the best course for Spike, if nothing shows up on the
>panels that she can treat aggressively, is to put her down. I'm heartbroken
>but I don't want her to suffer.
>
>I can't think of anything else right now, but please ask if you think some
>other information will help.
>
>If anyone has any ideas, please let me know.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>--
>If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
>visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
>
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