From:
"manajane21"
Date: 2006-12-05 04:41:16 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Pneumonia: extreme lethargy, I'm very worried.
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
It never ceases to amaze me how much dehydration really gets to
ferrets. I have been told by some that dehydration is even worse than
not eating. I have found that when my kids were sick and dehydrated,
it was like the life was sucked out of them. I would stronglyl urge
you to get your baby sub-q fluids asap. Just as an FYI when it comes
to giving ferrets fluids...butterfly catheters work wonders when it
comes to a squirming ferret. They stay put under the skin when they
wiggle. If your vet doesn't use one (uses a regular need instead) I
would tell them otherwise. If I remember correctly, ferrets can get
up to 90 cc's per kg of body weight per day. Any hospital will also
be willing to teach you to do this at home, so you can keep up on it.
With continued medical treatment and forced feeding (if it comes to
that), your ferret should get better as long as he remains hydrated.
Hydration is a big deal. I had a very sick little girl (stress
related) that wasn't eating or drinking...all she wanted to do was
sleep, and she had HORRIBLE diarrhea. For two days I had to give her
SQ fluids at home until she would drink enough on her own. It was
amazing how much they perked her up. Please talk to your vet about
this. While giving fluids may not solve the problem totally, they
certainly won't hurt! Make sure Biff has his own space away from
other ferrets (if you have any), to get adequate rest. Also, try to
keep him warm! You can warm up water bottles, or place rice in a
cloth bag and warm it in the microwave (make sure its sealed so no
fuzzies eat it). I use fluid bags I bought from the local animal
hospital, which I just warm in the microwave.
Best of luck to you and Biff...I will say a prayer.
~ Amanda and her babies, Izzy and Burton
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "rocknroll_songbird"
<rocknroll_songbird@...> wrote:
>
> Hello everyone,
> my 6-year-old male ferret, Biff, has been diagonosed with
pneumonia.
> His symptoms began mildly and turned severe. He has seen a vet
> several times in the past two weeks and finally was diagnosed with
> pneumonia after an x-ray showed discharge in his lungs and a
swollen
> spleen. The vet said that the swollen spleen was most likely
related
> to the infection and should return to normal soon. He was
prescribed
> AmoxiDrops and Baytril twice daily for 14 days and also Pedialite
> with his water and Gerber Baby Food Chicken.
>
> That was midday Friday, his symptoms have not yet improved and his
> lethargy has worsened to the point that he barely walks and just
> lays on the floor. He's had his medicine on time for 7 doses now.
He
> looks like he has trouble getting comfortable and I'm worried that
> he's in pain (from what, I'm not exactly sure).
> His appetite (for the Chicken or anything) has weakened, although
he
> still eats some. We cannot get him to drink at all; we began mixing
> water into the chicken but the "scruff test" tells us he's
> dehydrated. His breathing is labored, and he often seems nauseous
or
> even gags.
>
> We are so worried that we are going to lose our sweet baby. If
> anyone can tell me what else could be wrong or what could help him
> get better faster, please, I need suggestions. I'm so scared for
> him.
> Thank you.
> -Emily
>
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