From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-08-13 16:04:35 UTC
Subject: RE: Prednisone
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5011204.1123949075322.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
One quick reminder:
it is useful to have your vet or a vet tech show you the safest ways to give meds and to use syringes.
Not only are there certain techniques and products which give better control and do not carry as large a hazard of inhaling food or fluids, but there are nuances in technique which reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia, and learning how to do it safely really does best take the input of medical professionals giving you hands on training (and do take notes).
As multiple vets and others here who communicate regularly with vets regularly have noted here, aspiration pneumonia is a risk that is usually so very avoidable, especially since most ferrets respond well to non-syringe feeding techniques as long as a person is calm and encouraging. In our list archives at sonic-weasel are multiple tips. Use words such as the phrase
"feeding a sick ferret" to find alternatives to syringe feeding.
This is a note not for people who have learned the techniques except as a reminder that there are others who have not so it is best to recall that in posts, please. Mostly it is a reminder to those who have not been taught safe techniques and alternatives -- people who may read the words and think that it is safe enough to just try.
-- Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
International Ferret Congress
http://www.ferretcongress.org