From:
"psm25"
Date: 2008-05-23 15:49:58 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Sick Ferret - Any ideas?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi folks!
My 3 1/2 year-old fuzzy was 100% fine on Saturday night...out playing
with his buddies and having a great time. We were gone Sunday until
dinner time. When we went into let the fuzzies out of their cages,
we found that Spot was totally lethargic and weak. He took water and
Feretvite when offered but that was it. No vomitting or diahrea.
We took him to Emergency Clinic and got a diagnosis of possible
bacterial infection and were sent home with Clavamox. Only bloodwork
was a glucose reading of 146 (about 1 hour after the Ferretvite).
Respiration, heartrate, lungs...all normal. Palpation found nothing
abnormal. No record of temp but they told us "normal".
Monday morning....no change. Took Spot to another vet hospital (Our
regular ferret vet only in on Thursdays and Fridays). He recorded a
temp of 106. A normal looking bowel movement occurred when temp was
taken. Gave injection to bring down temp and an antibiotic
injection. Took X-Ray and nothing abnormal.
Vet kept him for 2 nights. Temp returned to normal but still weak
and lethargic. Records show he ate "a little" and drank water. No
mention of bowel or urination activity. Took Spot home with a
concoction of Amox + Flagyl + steroid (Dex- something...can't
remember).
Thursday morning...no change. Took him to our regular vet. Temp,
respiration, heartrate, lungs and glucose all normal. Again,
palpation found nothing abnormal. Bloodwork showed slight elevation
in white count; but everything else normal. Heartworm test
negative. Needle aspiration of bladder showed minimal bacteria and
no crystals. Spot was dehydrated and put on IV with antibiotic and
left overnight.
Spot is up-to-date with vaccinations. None of the other ferrets are
sick and our 2 cats are fine. We, the humans have also been well. He
does not go outside and we have not had any other animals in the
house. All cleaning products are out of reach.
We had our vet repeat X-Rays and again, nothing abnormal. As of this
morning (Friday), he shows little, if any improvement. He is eating
and drinking small amounts and is urinating, but still showing some
sign of dehydration. We're attempting to get an ultrasound
scheduled.
We are totally at a loss...especially with the sudden onset of his
condition. We're hoping that continued IVs with antibiotics will
help. Does anyone have any suggestions?
We would appreciate any ideas via post to the group or via e-mail to
psm25@yahoo.com.
Thank you
Peggy & Spot
[Mod Note:
It's good that the lungs and heart were later imaged. There are lung
diseases and heart diseases that can't be found without imaging. Are a
CBC and Chemistry Panel planned or were they done? There is important
information they provide.
106'F is a fever. The usual ferret temps are 101 to 102'F, sometimes
103'F if the ferret was extremely active shortly before the temp was
taken.]
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