From:
Kristina Brink
Date: 2008-02-22 14:30:50 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Lethargic Ferret
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I need some input from you all. I have a ferret named Artemus I adopted in Oct. He has been tooth aged at 2 years old and the vet who aged him is usually within 1 year in accuracy so he could be 3. In December Arte was diagnosed by biopsy with EGE. It took us a good month to find something he could eat without severe pain, and vomiting. He has a very sensative system and does not tolerate oral meds (even carafate!). He is now on a Raw diet as it is the only thing he eats willingly and it agrees with his system. His stools and urine output are normal. He is on injectable Dexamethasone 2mg/ml dosed at .08mL daily. (We are trying to move him to an every other day dosing schedule but he becomes anorexic and his stools loosen up). We recently took him off of Imuran at a 5mg/ml dose of 0.2 mL every 48 hours because this did not effect his stools (even after 2 1/2 months) and it also caused anorexia for a good 24 hours when given. He is eating good. He is hydrated.
His weight is good. The vet said he would never know he had been so ill.
We ran a chem 12 panel, a CBC, and a glucose test last Friday. All of his values came in at normal on the chem panel. He was showing a very slight suppression on his CBC from his Imuran. (WBC was slightly low). His glucose was done in house and came back at 99. When Arte was biopsied the vet did a thorough evaluation of his internal organs. Nothing could be felt or seen. All looked healthy and normal-Only his GI and the Lymphnode by his intestines looked inflamed. The biopsies of the stomach, intestines and Lymphnode came back with the diagnosis of EGE.
My problem is Arte went form being a moderately active ferret to a lump. He only eats, potties and sleeps. He does not play with his buddies anymore even when they play gentle. He curls up next to me and sleeps. I love cuddly weezils as much as the next person-but I am worried about something going on. He just is not his happy little self anymore. Any thoughts?
Kristy
Clyde, Garrison, &Artemus
Missing Tweek
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