From:
"Kim"
Date: 2007-07-26 04:14:37 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: We're off to the vet's Monday Morning
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Freakin roller coaster ride this is!
Josie is NOT doing well AT all! After last night's noticeable
improvement I thought she was turning the corner and getting on the
road to recovery. This morning she had two poops in the litter pan,
showed an interest in drinking and chewed more of her mouse. But 10
am on the way home from my first farrier rounds, Josie was with me,
no way was I going to leave her home alone - and she's used to riding
in the truck- so it isn't a stressful situation for her, she was NOT
brightening at all - instead she was fading fast! Wobbly and unsteady
on her feet. Tipping over and flattening out.
I called my vet's office on the way home, to let them know I'd be
stopping by for more Sub Q fluids for her - since she was drinking a
bit, and I was getting food into her( forecefully) but her skin was
getting doughy again. But I was informed the vet wasn't there and
they were closing at noon. No, I couldn't get the Fluid kit for
myself ( I have given SubQ to cats and dogs) because the vet likes to
see the ferrets before he authorizes that home process. So they could
only set up another appointment for Josie tomorrow morning!Also the
dr. had NOT even cultured the rod bacteria from her fecal sample
taken to him on Monday! So we've got NO idea exactly what we are
fighting here!
by 11:30 when I gave her the meds, she was going downhill fast.
Absolutely going limp, unable to walk or stand, rapid breathing,
pounding heartbeat, cool to the touch, ZERO color to the gums, ears,
nose or paws.
I got 2.5 ml of A/D into her and 2ml of carnivore care and another 4
ml of water. when no repsonse I started calling other vets. Found one
that claimed to be familiar with ferrets. Took her in and was again
disappointed. She pooped a tiny 3/8 inch long brownish green poop and
piddled vey yellow urine at their office.
He listened to me tell about her ailment history, seemed to be
attentive. But when I put her on the table, he ruffled her fur a bit,
but didn't palpate. Then he disappeared into another room. Came back
and Asked whether she was getting gatorade or Ensure? No, just
pedialyte sometimes and water.
He said to keep her on the same regimen and offer something like
gatorade. Then started writing up notes to finalize her chart! I
asked if he felt some fluids Sub q would help her a bit? I suppose he
said and then went to get some.
His assistant scruffed Josie and held her under her forearms. She
commentedabout Josie's racing heart, but the vet just ignored her. AS
Josie was hanging there in mid air, the vet supported her butt and
then jabbed the Sub Q needle into her ABDOMEN!
Is THIS normal? I've NEVER seen Sub q given there! He let the fluid
drip about 30 seconds, then removed the needle.
He never listened to her with his stethescope, no temp taken, didn't
even offer to culture the fecal matter freshly deposited!
What is it with vets in my area? Why do I get the feeling that so
many of them just blow off a ferret as if it is just a large gerbil
or rat or other caged pet?
So I called my ferret friend and was by now crying because my little
girl is so distressed, so very very sick. And the professional help I
am seeking and paying for seems to be anything BUT helpful!
Neither vet has drawn any blood for any type of testing ( and my
first vet already has her healthy baseline blood sample taken back in
May)- sugar, white cell count or anything, no cultures done for an
obvious bacterial infection, becvause she is being force fed, I fully
realize the chance of her aspirating liquified foods and fluids when
being force fed. I dribble the stuff as slowly as I can, but she
fights the antibiotics and A/d so strongly - it IS a possibility.
Her breathing is so shallow and rapid now, she sometimes flutters.
There have been no deposits since 3pm Wdnesday afternoon. Any
movement by her is an extreme effort and she literally collapses or
tips over.
My ferret friend came over tonight with some ringers lactate and we
got quite a bit of fluids into her sub Q. another 3ml of carnivore
care and 3-4 ml of pedialyte and at least 3 ml of water dribbles.
Josie has remained flattened out, sometimes curled up, sometimes
stretched out. Never alert, breathing shallow and rapid, heart just
pounding. I've got her on a heating pad, set low, with 2 layers on
top to reduce any chance of overheating. But sometimes she seems like
she wants to stretch out away from the heat, so right now she is on
the sofa next to me.
Once she got up to go potty, I scooped her up before she could flop
off the sofa, took her to the potty pan and she peed before she could
even stand up! Just collapsed and laid there!
She is so terribly worse than she was 24 hours ago!She is so pale and
so weak, unresponsive and laboring just to breathe. I don't want to
lose my sweet little girl. I'm trying to be strong for her, and
trying to will her will to live to be strong. She will still
sometimes seek water dribbles from my lips and I can't help but cry
to feel her precious lips against mine. She's got too much life to
live, too many things to discover, too many places to discover to
leave now!
Fozzy and Faylene continue to do well and seem to have completely
kicked this bug that is consuming Josie.
I'll keep you all posted.
Regards, Kim
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