From:
mjanke@miamiferret.org
Date: 2005-03-02 00:47:38 UTC
Subject: RE: Ill ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2371773.1109724458461.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Definitely get pre-surgical bloodwork done. That's very important. Odd that your vet didn't do bloodwork as part of the exam. Since this lump is over his ribs, I assume that means it's in or just under the skin rather than something that's in the abdomen and pushing out? There's always a risk with surgery, but if that's the only chance at improvement, you have to do it.
The "chomping" is due to nausea or stomach pain, most likely, and this is no doubt related to his inappetence. A little tip. Get him eating Gerber's chicken baby food. It's bland, easily digestible and good nutrition for a ferret that is not eating. Plus, after surgery when he probably will want to eat even less, this is something you can easily hand feed him. He needs to eat, both before and after surgery. Get him used to the baby food and eating now, before his condition worsens. Warming it helps a lot to improve their acceptance of it.
mike
Author wrote:
> I have a 4 year old ferret named Hobbes who is sick. A week ago I noticed a lump on his right side over his ribs. I took him to a vet and had x-rays and scheduled surgery March 8.