Message Number: SG9292 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Steve Austin
Date: 2004-06-26 03:54:11 UTC
Subject: pseudomonas infection in nasal area
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <31664352.1088225176781.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>

Hoping someone has experience with this, or suggestions.

Jeckyl is about 3, diagnosed diabetes last october, and adrenal gland
disease
and removal of left adrenal gland in december. The right had a 'growth'
on it
that when biopsied was just adrenal gland tissue. Large lymph node near
intestines
was a lot of lymphoid hyperplasia, no signs of lymphoma, but the
pathologist
said was something to watch.
ADV tested in past, twice, negative.

Had been doing well, grew new coat, nice weight gain, blood sugars
average
about 200-250 on humulin NPH insulin twice daily. Then about 2 months
ago was sneezing a lot, then became very congested with the sneezefor 1
week-
about a week later had thick nasal discharge, yellow to green.
The vet started baytril about 1 month ago, the
chest xray was clear. After 8 days of baytril, a little less green, now
yellowish but
every day cacked on and dried at nose, won't eat for a month now- hand
feedings to
keep his glucose stable at about 120, highest is 180 to 220 after
feedings. Gets insulin
only once a day some days. Looks bad, lost weight, very stuff nose,
congested sneeze,
still nasal discharge which completely clogs his nose-have to clean it
out every few hours.
Monday he went back, Repeat CXR still clear, blood tests ( CBC and
chemistry)
all normal, culture grew light
growth of pseudomonas- resistant to the antibiotic he is on for the past
week, but sensitive
to baytril. The culture was done after off baytril for 10 days.

My vet and I both agree doing a scope to look up the nose for some
underlying problem
is probably the way to go, awaiting to find out if he can get a scope
small enough.
In the meantime, not changing his antibiotics since baytril didn't work
the first time.

Anyone had this organism in their ferret's nose? Any underlying cause?
My problem is that he won't eat a lot on his own, and despite 100 cc or
so of syringe feeding
a day, and a glucose of 120 or more, he looks lethargic. He sometimes
gets abdominal breathing,
and just weak. I can feel a huge spleen. His poops are not watery, and
he had no fever when
at the vet.

No other ferret has become ill, and they are all in the same room, sleep
in same hammock,etc.

Patty