From:
sprite@ksu.edu
Date: 2005-01-29 17:29:13 UTC
Subject: Re: hindend weakness
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1107019753.41fbc7e918871@webmail.ksu.edu>
If the little one had been caged for a prolonged time that could result
in muscles becoming weakened (atrophy). He would have been caged at
the shelter and may have been caged long before that so it is possible
that this attributed to the hind end weakness. Does he try to use his
hind end at all? I'm guessing he has feeling in his feet and legs
since it wasn't mentioned that he didn't.
Our Drac (RIP) had been caged in a small pet carrier for 3 years before
he came to us. Not only was Drac mentally handicapped (our vet
suggested either physical abuse or mental anquish), he was also unable
to walk which appeared in hindend weakness. We worked with Drac,
gently massaging and exercising and he physically recovered though it
took time. Drac remained mentally challenged - he couldn't get the
idea of the tubes and would gallop beside them when the others would
run through. He would scratch at the tube entry but never went in -
whether this was a fear of small places or he didn't understand the
concept we can't be sure. Drac also didn't understand being gentle
when playing with the other ferrets. The others knew Drac was
different and they were always very gentle with him. When he would get
too rough in play, the other little one would politely walk away,
leaving a very confused Drac looking longingly after them.
As for injury, our vet explained that it is difficult to see tiny
variations between the vertebrae and with these types of injuries its
important to administer steroids as soon as possible to prevent
permanent damage.
When Gizzie (RIP) was 6 months old he was nipping my feet under the
covers and I slid him off the bed with my foot. I noticed he was
limping and took him in for xrays. The vet (not our current vet) said
there wasn't a break. Gizzie limped for a long time and I always
worried that something wasn't right even after multiple vet visits.
Years later Gizzie had xrays with our current vet and he found a
hairline fracture in his hip. sigh. Even though Gizzie did recover
and walk normally, there was a fracture. Now when we have a little one
that we think might have such an injury our vet starts them on
steroids.
Hindend weakness is a symptom of various ailments and injuries so it's
very important to not get focused on one cause unless it is
specifically verified.
tle