From:
naturabella@stny.rr.com
Date: 2005-01-02 05:49:45 UTC
Subject: Seizure or ear problems?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3151441.1104644985774.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hi,
My ferret recently had two episodes about 10 days apart where he stopped what he was doing and began to rotate his head around. He acted like he did not know which way was up or down. he was definately conscious because he took food off my finger during the episode. He just slowly rotated his head in a circle for about a minute and came out of it as if he did not even knew it happened. While he rotated his head he kept falling on his back. My ferret does have insulinoma, but since his surgery his glucose has been normal, mostly in the 90's.
He is 9 years old now and he has lost the ability to empty his bladder on his own. We think that it is neurological because his prostate is okay. He does have dilative cardiomyopathy also, but he episodes do not appear to be haert related..his breathing and heart rate are normal during episode. He does stumble around alot and lose his balance and is weak in the hind legs. Sometimes when he is eating he falls forward and loses hs balance.
Has anyone experienced this behavior in a ferret before?
I am not sure whether to call these episodes neurological, or maybe releted to inner ear, or seizures..
He does have reoccuring brown ear wax and he does shake his head occasionally? he also grinds his teeth while eating?
Can ear mites cause these kind of problems in ferrets?
Does anyone think a thyroid test should be done?
I would appreciate any ideas or suggestions... thankyou
Tara
Does anyone know if ferret experience vestibular syndroms?
I do not notice his eyes twitching at all during the episodes. He just seems a little disoriented.