From:
Martha
Date: 2005-11-08 03:28:26 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Parkinson's disease in ferrets?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I recently adopted a "special needs" ferret from a national chain pet store. The ferret had been seen by two different and competent vets and still had an uncertain diagnosis. The best they could do is conclude it to be a neurological disease similar to Parkinson's Disease in humans. They did rule out the fact that his condition is contagious. He is a bit over 4 months old, had his first distemper shot, neutered and descented (a Marshall's ferret). His problem started a few months ago at the pet store and increased. He has shakes and tremors and walking is very difficult. His head bobs and he tends to flop over when walking, mostly on his hind legs. He looses control of his muscles and not the same set of muscles each time, it happens randomly. He does not appear to be in pain, and is a very "normal" (ornery!) young ferret who loves to play and run and nibble on toes. The tremors are worse when first waking, and get a bit better when he does get some exercises. He has a huge
appetite, eats, drinks and sleeps normally. His stools are normal and he has no trouble with urination. There are a few things he has trouble with, such as hitting his head against walls and the floor when his front legs give out on him. He can't go backwards in a tunnel because of his hind legs. I am also concerned about his penis sometimes dragging on the ground if that will cause irritation and what can be done about this?
I would like to know if anyone has encountered this before and what I can expect for his life. Is there anything I can do to make him more comfortable? For now, I'm just letting him be a "normal" ferret. I just would like to know if anyone else has encountered this type of condition.
Thank you, Martha
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