From:
"johnmarshe"
Date: 2008-04-11 17:36:18 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] flu/fever causing paralysis? ADVICE NEEDED!
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello,
My 7mth old ferret, Louie, came down with a flu and developed a very
high fever reaching almost 107F. He was kept at the animal hospital
that specializes in exotics, birds and ferrets.
After 2 days in the hospital with injections of antibiotics and
hydration the vet managed to get his fever down to normal temps. He
was then sent home with me. When he got home he was just like his old
self playing and running etc (but tired). We gave him his antibiotics
(1cc Novotrimel 48mg) and put him to bed that night and the next
morning we were shocked that he had no use of his hind legs. Well he
could move them but he couldn't stand on them to walk. We then rushed
him back to the animal hospital and admitted him again. We did blood
work and x-rays and left him in the hospital over night. The next
morning the doctor called me to tell me he lost all use of his hind
legs so he can not even move them anymore. The X-rays came back with
no signs of organ/bone problems and his bloodwork and sugar test were
also completely normal. The doctor is stumped and said its possible
that the flu/fever caused inflammation of his spine so they began
steroid treatments to try and reduce any inflammation. We took him
home Thursday April 10th and after about 3-4 hours of being home he
could almost walk on his left hind leg. I mean he does walk on the
left one but he can't prop himself up with it. Its also a lot of work
for him to get the leg into walking position but he can do it. His
right leg still just drags behind him.
My question is do you think that the vet could be right? Could the
flu/fever caused this inflammation resulting in paralysis?
Any comments/suggestions would be appreciated.
PS... He is otherwise acting perfectly normal. Playful, energetic and
eats/drinks plenty.
(UPDATE)
Today, Friday April 11th, Louie woke up and is now able to use both of
his hind legs. He sometimes falls over, like a gait issue, but its
getting less and less as the day goes by.
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