Message Number: FHL1684 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-07-01 16:22:12 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: hind leg loss of use & incontinence
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

I do not know how much presentations vary but when Meeteetse had lymphoma in her
spinal cord the onset of symptoms was slow. First she had periodic urinary incontinence.
Then it became pretty constant and fecal incontinence also began. Later she began to lose
control of her hind legs. She was greatly helped in quality of life by steroids and opiates;
they did not alter her mood or reduce her energy; with pain controlled she was more active
and more happy. (On the other hand, if there is a different cause those could be meds
that are counter-indicated.)

BUT, if there is a brain injury (among the things mentioned) then the underlying cause
needs to be found and the treatment can be different. Dr. Bruce Williams pointed out a
number of years ago that true strokes (from dislodged plaque) had not been documented
in ferrets but what ferets DO get are thrown clots (thromboses). The meds depend on
what the cause which created the and released the clot is, and the meds that are good for
some things can be bad for others, so you might at some point just wind up having to risk
trying something if nothing indicative enough for cause of the symptoms can be found,
and just hope since it can be hard sometimes to find causes for incontinence and
paralysis. Thromboses have underlying causes. Heart disease is probably the most
common. A chest x-ray and a really good listen (which may lead to an EKG/ECG) will find
most but hypertrophic cardiomyopathy can often need an ultrasound to be spotted.
Kidney disease can also cause thromboses as can lymphoma, and I think I recall reading
here from someone whose ferret with liver disease threw a clot.

I agree that there might be alternative causes.

If the onset was sudden for all losses I'd be inclined to also wonder about a neural or bone
illness, an unspotted lower back neural congenital defect that has contributed to a
problem, and especially wonder about a hard to spot area of injury. Since I am not a vet I
am sure there are possibilities that I don't understand the nuances of for inclusion and
elimination.

What I can provide are some links which may help you by copying in the section on
handicapped ferrets in

http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html

Handicapped ferret needs:
Blindness:
http://www.ferret-fact.org/Blind.htm
Blindness:
http://www.wolfysluv.com/blind_ferrets.html
Deafness:
http://www.wolfysluv.com/deaf.html
Mobility Cart:
http://www.ferretfarm.org/index.html?target=dept_98.html&lang=en-us
That cart type can also be seen here and if you scroll down then ordering information will
be found:
http://tingilinde.typepad.com/starstuff/2006/12/ferret_wheelcha.html
Mobility Cart:
http://www.doggon.com/
Pantyhose Slings:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG12611
Physically impaired:
http://www.wolfysluv.com/physically_impaired.html
Chihuahua size diapers (but check to make sure still in stock and note that none of these
have been reported on yet for how well they do or do not work for ferrets):
http://www.petdiapers.com/
http://www.seniorpetsupplies.com/products/
http://www.k9carts.com/diaper.html
http://www.yoyopetwear.ca/
http://www.doggiedee.com/doggie-diaper-products.htm
http://www.futurepets.com/Dog_Diapers.htm
(also consider small Preemie Diapers from baby supply stores and make a tail opening)






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