From:
<ferretzrule@cvferrets.org>
Date: 2007-10-08 23:45:09 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Vomiting and diarrhea
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Well, its Nibbles again. History: Nibbles is an approx. 4 year old neutered male DEW. A while back I posted about him having symptoms of insulinoma, but his fasting BG was normal, 127. My vet, who is not very ferret knowledgeable, but tries hard, did an insulin panel on him 6 weeks ago that gave the following results:
Insulin 189
Glucose 6.3
Insulin-Glucose Ratio 30
The test comments say the test was performed at [a major veterinary] University.
Things have gone pretty well since then. As long as I make sure Nibbles eats regularly, he seems to be fine, other than he trembles hard right before meals (beyond the usual waking up shivers)and always sounds like he has ptyalism. Then last week, he seemed to lose energy. Four days ago he started vomiting, the first time it was projectile, digested and tan colored. He vomited two more times, same color etc..but not as much. He also had diarrhea, light brown, mucousy, and extremely foul smelling. He became extremely pale and limp...and I thought he might be crashing. I rushed him to the vet's office where his BG was tested (normal 128), ketones were normal as well. He was given a shot of Reglan (?) for the vomiting and sent home on .5cc SMZ-TMP twice a day, .25cc metoclorpramide three times a day as needed, and Pepto .5cc three times a day.
Nibbles has lost 3 ozs in spite of regular (every 4 hours) feeding. He is no longer vomiting, but is still lacking energy. He still has diarrhea,which has now turned into the foulest, neon green stench I have ever seen. He is drinking on his own and appears to be sufficiently hydrated, no tenting when he is scruffed.
My questions: Does this sound familiar to anyone? Is Nibbles getting the right medication? Are there any other tests I should ask my vet to run?
Sorry this is so long...and thanks for your help!
Bonnie
[Mod note: ptyalism is acute drooling/excessive saliva production as can happen with some dental problems, some poisonings, and other causes. ]
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