From:
"Amy Seyler"
Date: 2004-06-29 02:42:42 UTC
Subject: Re: looks like bladder stones: need to pick brains
To: "FHL" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <007901c45d82$c08c7a60$07961004@HomeOffice>
Hi Sukie --
When you have the stones removed see what type they are. Struvite are
apparently somewhat common and more likely to happen in the ferret. We did
have a ferret years ago with cystine stones who kept repeatedly getting them
every six months or so, until we tried experimental medication which gave
her a long and happy life.
I'm not sure the water is what is causing it but of course using bottled
at least takes that out of play. I wonder if there is some sort of
hereditary trait that makes a ferret more likely to have them. Back in 1991
hardly any ferrets that my vet knew of (and at the time we was considered
the premier ferret vet in the country) had bladder stones but it does seem
to be more common now. Of course, back in 1991 I had to have the odd one
with cystine.
I know that in cases of struvite a change in diet has helped. With the
cystine, we tried a change in diet but it was too radical and Claudia simply
quit eating. That's when we came up with the combination of Tiopronin and
Policitra-K, and she lived another six years.
Keep us updated.
Amy, Dave, Sarah & Paul (and their gaggle of giggling ferrets)
RIP Ian, Elektra, Claudia, Sidney, Max & Hannah
Missing Tasha
>On x-ray it looks like Mornie has a loose accretion of bladder stones.
>The water here is 7.3, slightly alkaline. Having some bottles of our
>PLEASE FEEL FREE TO TEACH US. We need input on bladder stones.