From:
"v.wilber"
Date: 2009-05-26 13:11:02 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Any ideas of what this could be?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
A friend of mine has had her seventh ferret put so sleep in a little over three weeks
All the symptoms have basically been the same, most were just found dead in the morning. Two were found in an almost coma like state, body paralysed, freezing cold to the touch, one the vets tried to save for two days and he turned out to be dehydrated and by the second day was screaming in pain, today Tia was exactly the same, their necks seems to be extended head back, tails also seem to be puffed up.
The only part they can move towards the end are their front legs.
It starts with drastic weight loss over two days, previous healthy hobs weighing 2.2kg drop to 0.7kg.
Four ferrets have been treated, 3 are now still alive so in theory ten ferrets have had this.
Tia was treated a couple of weeks ago with steroids and antibiotics and seemed to pick up instantly. Josh was also treated and is still alive although he seemed to have a relapse at the weekend and looked like he would go too but he seems to have rallied around, another two seem to be rallying round but they haven't gained their full weight back and as Tia seemed to recover and then relapse she is still worried about these three.
One vet suggested distemper but the symptoms don't seem to match. Insulinoma has also been mentioned as a possibility, multiple ferrets but it could be coincidence as they are all bar one older ferrets. Aleutian disease is another one suggested.
Has anyone had these symptoms before?
So far as I know no BGs were done, UK vets tend not to be so aware of ferret diseases and us owners often have to point them in the right direction so any guidance from you guys would be great.
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