From:
"ncferretmom"
Date: 2007-08-24 17:53:46 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Right Side Ataxia in Seven Year Old Female Ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi, Leann. I am not a vet, but I am an audiologist and have a background in dizziness and
ataxia. When I have someone who needs a diagnosis of vestibular vs. neurological, I am
going to ask a couple of questions. Just based on your description, I can tell a bit about
this. Now, I approach ferrets the same as I approach the little kids who couldn't tell us
stuff. And, quite honestly, an MRI would be great, but I doubt you can get one on your
ferret!
Head left and moving to the left suggest a left sided vestibular or a right sided
neurological problem. The turned under paw suggests neuro more than vestibular. Neuro
can be a clot or a bleed, in general, unless there is something else going on like a cancer
that invades the brain. You do not mention that. You said your vet mentioned a brain
tumor and that may be it, but I don't think it matters in terms of what you can do to help.
You and your vet can do the diagnosis. But, maybe I can help with a little information and
encouragement.
The eating may be problematic because of the signals not getting sent properly. If this is a
stroke-type situation, it can involve the nerves involved in eating because there are
several. The turned under paw on the right when all the symptoms point to a weakened
left side made me suspect a problem in the motor strip area. Not anything affecting
thought processes, just physical.
The good news is that the brain and the nerves are easily retrained. By now she is already
compensating. If this is not a life threatening emergency and she is not about to die
(which it doesn't sound like) then you can work on the quality of life issues. Seven is old
and you may not "fix" everything, but you may make it better. Let us know how she does,
please.
renee :)
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