From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-02-24 14:32:13 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Tongue half amputated- ferret not eating, help
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Sometimes it can be hard to swallow after tongue surgery. I guess if she simply can't swallow right for a while your vet could place a feeding tube or IV until she is used to her new tongue.
She also would have had her sense of taste changed if much was removed, so it may be hard for her to recognize the foods. They may seem unsafe. This is going to sound strange, Uli, but when we have had one who had meds that changed sense of taste we introduced the foods from our own mouths to show that they were safe to eat. It is not the cleanest thing to submit a ferret to, but it got the point across for many of the foods.
Try different foods, too. Some may not have had their flavor change as badly.
She could also be afraid of reinjury, esp since her tongue will feel funny. I lost a tiny bit on mine to a benign growth last year, if you recall, only 1" by 1/2" along a side, no big deal, but it really did make using my tongue quite difficult for a while, so I would assume that a larger portion missing would make swallowing a decent bit harder.
In humans one cause of partial tongue loss is falling with the tongue sticking out and then hitting on the jaw. A neighbor did that on ice when we were kids, and I have certainly heard of a number of similar human cases; perhaps that can occur with a ferret, too. Just a guess.
It worries me that this ferret had mouth sores already. Have the kidneys been checked? Is this one with ADV?
-- Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List co-moderator
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives fan
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
replacing
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org
International Ferret Congress advisor
http://www.ferretcongress.org
====================================================================<<<
Whatever you Wanadoo, click below:
http://ads.smartgroups.com/adclick/CID=000000b7c79a99a500000000
====================================================================>>>
--
If you want to share pictures, use the calendar, or start a vote
visit http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
To leave the group, email: ferrethealth-unsubscribe@smartgroups.com
Report abuse http://www.smartgroups.com/text/abusereport.cfm?gid%3D1423922&mid%3D16636