From:
FHbytheSea@aol.com
Date: 2005-08-27 14:02:49 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Neurological troubles -URGENT
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
CC: julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Message-ID: <6.4be692ce.3041cc89@aol.com>
Julie
As you know, I am not a vet. I can relate to you what helped with the 2
ferrets that I have had in the past with Neuro symptoms.
The first was Silk - she was diagnosed with leukemia/epilepsy and was treated
with phenobarbital to control her seizures (she had grand mal) and
prednisolone to control the leukemia. She responded well to the pheno and it did a great
job with her symptoms. Silk had spiked a fever as high as 106F with elevated
white cell counts - the prednisolone was the only thing that helped the WC go
down - even then, she was still high normal.
The second was Rocky Bobble - a suspected case of meningitis -
chloramphenicol was what we used as it passes the blood/brain barrier. He retained some
neuro symptoms (he was 10 weeks old at the time) but continues to get better and
better - Renee Downs has him now. With Rocky, the other antibiotics did not
appear to help. Rocky was running a fever of up to 104 with an extremely high
white count (56,000, iirc).
With both ferrets, I designed a special single story cage with 'crib liners'
around the sides of the cage to prevent injury during a seizure. The litter
pan had very short sides (cut down a litter pan to only 1 inch on 3 sides, the
forth side was completely removed) and attached to the cage.
I hope that this helps. I can provide you my vet info if you think it may
help. I hope that the little one gets better soon...
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
Shelter Wench in good standing
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
www.ferrethaven.org