From:
"Mark Sonder, CSEP"
Date: 2004-08-06 17:50:27 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Ferret coughing
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <21905217.1091815750629.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
I have a story for all, re: my cute little Blizzard's coughing.
Poor little guy, we just moved into a new house. Within 3 days he was
coughing big time, accompanied by wheezing and sneezing. We took him to the
emergency vet, who took his temperature and x-rayed him. The Dr. reported
that his little lungs looked clear, but there was a lot of gas in his
stomach. She sent us home (with him) with liquid amoxicillin (.4cc 2x/day
for 7 days) and proclaimed that he had a cold.
We followed up with his regular vet the following day. Showed him the x-ray
and declared his lungs clear, but suspected a "foreign body" in his stomach,
indicating he needed surgery to remove it as it was now a partial blockage
and wanted to make sure it would not become a full blockage.
We took him home. Gave him plenty of ferretLAX plus Ensure (as he would not
eat the A/D the 1st vet gave him) and Pedialyte (as he was not eating his
kibble and had the runs already). He was very lethargic and "looked sick"
while continuing to cough wildly.
This went on for 8 days!! On the 9th day, he miraculously started to feel
better. Good thing as we had an 8.5 hour car drive to the beach for
vacation. He continues to improve, now eating almost his "normal" amount of
dry kibble, however still refusing water as he craves the banana Ensure and
Pedialyte (apple flavored if you can believe that).
Why did I just go through this brief synopsis of what is going on with my
Blizzard, because, it is the vet's thought now that his coughing, in fact
this entire episode was brought about by NEW CARPETING in the house.
Apparently new carpeting is treated with many chemical for stain resistance
and a host of other things that people expect a carpet to do or not do.
Also, I have learned from my vet, that new carpeting KILLS birds!!!
Sooooooooooo, the reason for your ferret's coughing may be new carpeting!!!
And yes, while at the beach (generally) when we swim, he does some swimming
with us, and when we play in the sand, he definatly plays with us!!!!
Although this year, possibly because he is weak from his bout of coughing
etc, he does not wish to swim.
Mark Sonder, CSEP