From:
"Zoo"
Date: 2009-12-12 16:47:02 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: will a ferret starve to death
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
If any of you would like to see an example of the devastating results of changing a ferret`s diet without monitoring it, email us, & I will send you pictures of Stantz, who came to us, on July 27th of this year.
Origionally, the family had four ferrets. Two of them had become gravely ill, and the people didn`t have money for the vet. They made the decision to surrender them to a shelter, but unfortunately, the night before they found US, one of the ferrets died.
Two of the remaining three were extremely thin, and ill--but the third one was truly dying, when they brought the ferrets to Zoo`s Ferret Sanctuary. (I will send you a picture of Stantz, taken that night, if you email us.)
It was after hours, and he was very close to death, but we gave aggressive supportive care anyway, and he made it through the night. This full-grown male weighed only 15 ounces, and his muscle tone was all but gone.
When the vet`s office opened, only a few hours later, we were there. (I suspected blockage, at this point.)
Diagnostics ruled out blockage--but his ALT was 860!!!!! EIGHT HUNDRED SIXTY!!!
[Info on ALT in liver profile section of
http://www.afip.org/consultation/vetpath/ferrets/Clin_Path/ClinPath.html
--Moderator]
She asked if this was a case of neglect, because this pointed at starvation. Together, we realized---The people did love the ferrets. They had fed them. HOWEVER, when the money got short, they had switched foods. Apparently, two had nibbled on it---but the other two hadn`t been eating at all!!!! (Stantz`s cagemate had died of starvation)
Most vets would have euthanized Stantz at this point, but she has seen what we do here.She sent him home with us, so we could try.(Of course, the other two were given the kibble they were used to.)
Stantz got around the clock care, and treatment for the ulcers which he had developed too. After four days of around the clock care, Stantz began to eat some kibble!
The second photo I want to send you is one of Stantz, only 17 days later, PLAYING in the playroom.
At this time, Stantz`s muscle tone has returned, he weighs 2 1/2 pounds, and is the most beautiful silver mitt ever. One would never imagine how sick he was.
Long term effects are unknown, but because we are a lifetime care facility, we can monitor him. Time will tell.
It is IMPERATIVE to watch your ferret carefully, if you change its diet. PLEASE be sure it is eating the new food. Please get the most nutritious stuff you can find--even if you have to sacrifice something to do it. Your little one`s life depends upon it.
Love, Zoo
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Troy Lynn Eckart <sprite@...> wrote:
>
> The simple answer is yes
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