From:
"samwitch54"
Date: 2009-04-13 22:32:04 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] A real stumper
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
We just can't figure out what's up with Reznor. End of March, he had recurrent
severe diarrhea and he was lethargic. He was put on Prednisone and Azathioprine.
The diarrhea didn't improve. He wasn't eating much or drinking much and was even
more lethargic. We did bloodwork, tested for all the other bugs (Cocci, crypto,
giardia, etc.) and started him on metronydizol, clavamox, sucralafate and pepcid
in case the above had started ulcers. Still no improvement and he got a runny
nose and was loudly swallowing excessively the doctor saw ulcers in each nostril
causing post nasal drip and thus the swallowing. I brought him back in. The
doctor felt a big lump on one side of his body and we did an xray. He also
notices that all of his intestines were 'stuck' to one side of his body. No
visible tumors or masses however. No lymph nodes seemed to be enlarged either.
All the tests came back negative. Now, in addition to the diarrhea, lethargy,
lack of appetite, etc. I notice that he's insanely itchy and almost blad on all
four of his feet. His rear legs are almost bald up to the thighs, he's also
'marking' any inanimate object he crosses. We agree, maybe adrenal could be a
factor in this saying as how he's almost 4. The doctor said lets finish the
course or antibiotics and start him on prozyme in case his pancreas is causing
the maldigestion, also give him a liquid B12 complex daily. (He hates the B12
sooo much that he thrashes and pees before spitting 90% of it out) He also said
to start giving liquid melatonin daily and see if there's a difference. I
started this and the diarrhea stopped. He started eating and drinking again too.
But the lethargy persisted.
As soon as my hopes rise, he's gained alot of weight all the sudden and I notice
the swallowing thing started back up, with no noticeable runny nose. I also
noticed that where all his easy lymph nodes are seem to have gotten larger. I
don't know if this is due to the weight gain (as they seem to be the same
relatively to my other large boys) or my worst fear, lymphoma. He's also been
scratching literally 80% of his waking hours. Now, he has alot of flaking. Maybe
this is why he's been sooooo lethargic. So I call again and they suggest
slathering on some aloe vera gel. He has an appointment this Tuesday to knock
him out to recheck the blood and see if there's any changes, he'll also get
Lupron shot and probably ferretonin implant. His energy level is back up pretty
well but still no interest in the other ferrets what-so-ever. He'll just speed
bump out. So now, he's gained weight, has no interest in other ferrets, but has
regained some energy, has bald legs, excessive itchiness, possible enlarged
lymph nodes. What a roller coaster.
Nothing seems to fit these symptoms. Has anyone experienced this or something
like it? I noticed in reading back that it seems diarrhea has been going around
with lots of ferrets. Any thoughts or suggestions?
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