From:
ashliewest@gmail.com
Date: 2006-07-14 01:29:39 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Morbidly Obese Ferret - Please Help
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I have an adopted ferret - Shadow, who is approximately 5-6 years old. He has been
living with me since March 2005, and was very active and energetic. In March 2006,
my eldest ferret died of lymphoma, and then a few weeks later his cage mate had
Adrenal Surgery and was separated for 7 days - with frequent, short visits. However,
around this time (April 15), Shadow stopped playing and began sleeping alot. Once
the cage mage recovered, Shadow still refused to play.
On June 12th I took him to a vet (somewhat experienced with ferrets) and he had an
abdominal ultrasound that revealed he was overweight - all other abdominal organs
were normal. After more time, I was still concerned for his weight gain, as he
appeared to be continuing to gain weight, so I took him to Dr. [Name removed as
per rules] (Raleigh, NC) - he was given two x-rays, and the chest x-ray revealed a
mass in his chest (and massive amounts of fat in the abdomen) - aspirations were
done and the cellutologist report stated that the cells were lymphotic but not
lymphoma. And that there was some sort of inflammation in his chest. Clavamox
and prednisone were prescribed, and his weight has continued to increase over the
two weeks. I recently returned to the Raleigh vet for a cardiac ultra sound and was
informed that the mass is fat - surrounding his heart and lungs.
Shadow's eating habits have not changed dramatically - he's always been a "healthy"
eater. However, he has become less active - refusing to play with me, his cage mate,
or the new adoptee (who he does groom and sleep with). He has labored breathing
from the excessive fat, and is still very lethargic.
Here are his weights over time (in grams and pounds):
8/4/05 - 1179.34 grams / 2.6 pounds (routine exam)
4/13/06 - 1225.00 grams / 2.70 pounds (day of cage mate's surgery)
6/12/05 - I don't have the exact weight here - but I think he was just over 3
pounds.
6/28/06 - 1650.00 grams / 3.64 pounds (Raleigh weight)
7/12/06 - 1710.00 grams / 3.78 pounds (Raleigh weight)
His CBC and blood panels have come back normal, but very fatty. I am wondering if
there is any evidence of hypothyroidism in ferrets, and if so, what are the
treatments (medications, dosages, etc)? How is the treatment outcome? And how
quickly can results be seen? In addition, what specific blood tests should my vet be
running?
I appreciate ANY assistance with this! Shadow is a very special boy, and I want to
make sure he has the best possible life.
Here is a picture of him (belly shaved from ultra sound)
[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v685/smash390/100_1130.jpg[/IMG]
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