From:
Xtasy Ferrets
Date: 2005-06-28 00:15:07 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Teeth problem
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <10605044.1119956520669.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
Hello Melanie-
(I met so many new folks in At Louis- I cannot place you but H! waving
madly form NH!)
NO the CBC will not really tell other than if there is an infection ( hi
white count) . For remnal copnditions they need to run a panel to check
for kidneyy / liver values. More specifically they need to look for
specific elevations for renal failure.
It will ( renal failure) occur when a ferret has a chronic low grade
infection - which is indicated by the prolonged enlarged spleen. The
spleen enlarges when there is a low grade infection as the white counts
elevate to fight infection-- the spleen enlarges to hold the additional
platelets... if treated with antibiotics the white cells dissipate and the
spleen decreases in size. However since you are describing your ferret has
had an enlarged spleen for a period of time-- it is telling me that a low
grade chronic infection has been smouldering untreated-- this can cause
renal failure!
Coughing within the last few days may indicate a cardiac condition ( fluid
in the lungs) has an x-ray been done to confirm this?
What was the heart size? Enlarged,\? Slightly rounded?
Your vet mentioned this? Cloudiness in the chest area indicates
Pneumonia.. is he on Baytril?
Of course your vet has DX'ed cardiomyopathy if he has put the ferret on
lasix.... but is there an antibiotic to fight the infection in place? If
not it needs to be considered!
The only way you find renal indications is in blood work in early stages.
BUT the mouth sores and dental issues you speak of are late stage renal
failure indicators! My own ferret ( age 5.5 years) showed both and we had
him less than 2 months later! Even after dental extraction & antibiotics
the condition was too far along. Get the blood work done ASAP!
We use ST John's Petrodex toothpaste for pets -- it can be swallowed and
has no harmful sweeteners in it. Likewise you can get toothpaste for young
humans which does not require rinsing! BUT YOu really need to be getting
the blood work done!
Trying to patch a leaky dam with band aids is all you will do at this point
with toothpaste and listerine-- you need to find the cause of the problem
BEFORE you can fix it!
Best Wishes,
Alicia at www.ferretwise.org
At 07:08 PM 6/27/2005, you wrote:
>Hi Alicia,
>
>(I think we may have met at St Louis Symp...
>
>Thanks for your advice! He did have blood tests run not too long
>ago. Would renal failure show on regular CBC? I personally feel it is
>more adrenal and recent heart issues with unrelated teeth issues - he
>started coughing more within the last few days. And with the Xrays
>showing cloudiness around chest area - I feel he does have heart
>issues.