From:
ldaley@troxlerlabs.com
Date: 2005-06-16 17:16:30 UTC
Subject: Help need for Ernie
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <583367.1118942190187.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Ernie is a 3 yr old male who came to us three weeks ago slightly obese (raised on Purina Kitten Chow) but otherwise in good health. A week after he joined our gang he stopped eating his kibble and was very listless. Our Vet treated him for ulcers assuming the move and other ferrets stressed him out. The meds (Amoxi, and Flagyl) cleared up the bacteria in his poop but he still would not eat on his own. He will eat watered down chicken gravy but will turn away if he gets a chunk of chicken in his month. He has a good appetite but does not want to chew anything. Took him back to the vet and x-rays showed a smaller than normal liver (?) and blood tests showed elevated ALKP and ALT. Our vet is assuming he has liver disease and his liver is wasting away. But I just read an article from Dr. Williams saying that elevated ALKP and ALT does not necessarily mean liver disease.
ANY advise or help would be GREATLY appreicated. He is only three and we don't want to give up on him yet!
By the way, he has also developed gingivitis during all this.
Lisa