From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-06-03 20:51:22 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Food (breathing problems)
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
At one point you say
> Its like he is always out of
breath.
Do you mean always or only when eating?
If always then an ultrasounds of his heart
could make sense, or if it is the short breath
type of breathing that pain can cause then an
ulcer is among the things to consider, ditto
possibly megaesophagus. See if he has an
easier time swallowing if he is held vertically.
Did it clear up markedly with the Benedryl? If
so, then I can think of two possible scenarios:
1. The ferret is rushing through eating too
fast and choking for the same reasons that
humans do in that case -- chewing too little
and swallowing pieces that are too large, so
the sedating effect of the med helps eat more
slowly and effectively, OR
2. The ferret may be allergic to a component
of the food, but you have not mentioned GI
upset and that usually occurs with allergies.
Still, allergic responses differ (We have one
whose food allergy response is entirely dermal)
so an allergy is possible, and changing to a
food which had a different meat content or
a different carbohydrate content, or both as your
start, since those are the most common allergy
triggers in foods that ferrets eat, makes sense.
You can ask the vet about continuing to use
the Benedryl but using smaller amounts.
It also might not hurt to check the teeth, the
upper throat, and the sinuses. Is the ferret a
mouth breather?
What age is this ferret? Other details?
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