From:
"Debbie Saunders"
Date: 2006-12-22 14:58:38 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] possible toxoplasmosis outbreak
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
We have a ferret club member whom has had 2 sprite ferrets come down
with what our local Veterinarians are seeing under the microscope as a
variant of toxoplasmosis. This is new to them as all research into
the possibility of this being toxo have shown it is very rare in
ferrets so they are not happy with us playing "stump the doctor".
Symptoms presented on 12/21/06 include very low body temp (95-97 degrees),
dehydration, normal blood sugar levels, hind end weakness/inability to
move, lethargy, loss of appetite, mucoid/tarry diarrhea (sometimes
yellow in color), kidney values off due to dehydration (probable),
plus a few other conditions that I can't recall but those listed are
the prominent ones. Both girls are older; over 6 yrs., no new fuzzy
faces added, diet has not been altered, no new foods or treats
introduced. One had adrenal surgery in '02.
They are both in intensive care, IV drip, supportive feeding with AD,
and we haven't been told yet today if they've made it thru the night.
I have both my land line & cell phone at the ready to answer, waiting
on an update.
We are in dire need of help to pull these babies thru. Our primary
Veterinarian is also a teacher at the local Veterinarian college so is
up on most of the new diseases/conditions & treatments but he has
admitted to be stumped by this situation. We are treating this as a
contagious situation and have the owners home in lock-down and the
orders on the girls cages are to handle with gloves & follow
containment procedures to hopefully avoid any possibility of spreading
this.
I implore members on this list for any direction & advise I can pass
along to the doctors and I'm sure I don't need to tell you how time
sensitive this is. If anyone here has a clue as to what we are
dealing with and you would like to contact our Vet's directly, xxxx (moderator note: please contact Debbie for this information).
Bless you all in advance for any information you can impart to us.
Debbie
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
mailto:ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
mailto:ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/