From:
amy.seyler@verizon.net
Date: 2004-06-18 22:49:48 UTC
Subject: RE: Update on obese ferret - help!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <125063.1087598988711.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Fritz is not a little over 3 lbs -- he's an ounce away from 4! And his weight gain was not typical compared to years past. Yes, weight can vary between animals so you'll have to trust me when I tell you that the weight Fritz has on is excessive. His vet, who also knows him well, considers him obese. He cannot even lift his back-end to pee, so he ends up smearing it all over his belly. He also cannot do the physical things he used to -- climbing on furniture, jumping from couch to coffee table, etc. He's always been a very athletic ferret -- until now.
The weight loss/increased exercise has been going on for a little over 5 weeks. He's been getting outside for 15-30 minutes 4-5 times a week, and he walks all over the back yard and front yard. But there seems to be no change, and considering how high a ferret's metabolism is, I do believe he should have lost at least a couple of ounces by now.
We are just trying to explore our options right now and make absolutely sure there is no medical explanation for this, before we try anything else.