From:
"Michele"
Date: 2007-10-21 14:25:59 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Any experience with these symptoms?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I have a 3 1/2 year old black sable female who has not been "right"
for the past 8 months. I brought her to my vet (who is ferret
experienced) with the explanation that she was not herself. She was
eating and drinking, defecating and urinating normally--but slept
more, was lethargic, not as social as she normally was--As my
household had experienced some changes (I had started bringing in
fosters) I thought that she might be affected by that--so, while I
was following up medically, I was also giving her the extra attention
she was accustomed to--mama one on one time, switching around
enrichments, etc.
In March, Her BG was tested we did an ultrasound (which I was told
was normal--but later found out there was a small issue noticed) and
a CBC (which I also was told was normal--erronously)
I later found out that:
BG: within normal parameters
Ultrasound: slightly enlarged abdominal lymphnodes
CBC: Albumin: LOW, Globulin: High
I brought her back numerous times with the assertion that I KNOW
there is something not right with her (at that time, the anomalies
that had been picked up on the testing had still not been mentioned
to me)
As she has been slowly declining--About a 2 weeks ago I made the
decision to get a second opinion--with a ferret experienced vet who
works with our shelter and I feel very comfortable with.
Upon physical examination: Loki now looks like a little old ferret--
she now has that "pear shape", lack of muscle tone in her upper body-
she has lost weight (she's always been small, but she has dropped
from 1 1/2 lb to 1 1/4 lb) She is not kept in a cage and is able to
get as much exercise as possible (through interaction with her weasle
siblings and myself)
Upon looking at the labwork done in March, the dr immediatley noticed
that Loki's albumin was low, globulin was high and that slightly
enlarged abdominal lymph nodes had been observed on the ultrasound.
She rechecked the Albumin/Globulin--the Albumin had dropped more and
the Globulin had increased. We then checked the protein output in her
urine and it was normal. BG was also rechecked and was within normal
parameters. We repeated the CBC and had a protein electrophoresis
serum done. The CBC showed us that there was inflammation somewhere
(but was non-specific and didn't tell us anything we didn't already
know) the protein serum showed that it was the gammaglobulin that was
high.
We then drew blood and tested my three original ferrets for ADV
(although I live in New England and there have been no documented
cases of ADV here--TRUST ME, I didn't want to be the first for that
one) All three of them were negative. I am not willing to open her
up for an exploratory at this time.
So, to recap, at this point in time I have:
3 1/2 year old Female: physical examination is unremarkable--with the
noted exception weight loss and decreased muscle tone.
ADV: NEGATIVE
Ultrasound in March showed slightly enlarged abdominal lymph nodes
BG: within normal parameters, Kidney/liver function appears normal
CBC: shows unspecified inflammation--LOW Albumin, High Gamma globulin
At this point, we've started her on .5 MG Pred twice a day and I give
her soup 3 x a day.
Any thoughts?
Thank you,
Michele
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