From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2010-08-06 23:58:01 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: ferret at the vet - huge GI bleed/hemorrhage
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I have several play groups because some of the furkids simply do not get along with others.
Lots of evidence that stress exacerbates ulcers in ferrets. I have always known this but hadn't realized how serious nor how quickly a particularly stressful event can bring one on.
I adopted a trio of Ohio/DMK rescue sibs shortly after shelters were taking them in. The three loved humans but the largest of the trio Principessa, viciously attacked other ferrets. All attempts at integration were futile so I accepted that they would have to be in their own separate play group.
One day I was changing play groups from one room to another and assumed Principessa had followed behind me as I shut the gate because she was there a second ago. Then I heard the screams and found Principessa had managed to sneak back through the gate and was attacking my most submissive sprite Tiramisu. She was repeatedly biting and shaking her by the scruff. Her scruff was punctured and bleeding. I separated them immediately.
It took me at the most 30 seconds to get to them, but the damage was done.
Tiramisu was clearly traumatized, but other than the puncture wounds there didn't appear to be any other physical injury. I held her and walked with her until she calmed down and seemed to be okay.
However, I expected I'd see an ulcer develop, given the stress of that attack. Sure enough in 3 short days there was the tarry black stool and she started vomiting blood. My vet was away at a conference - I managed to find a ferret friendly vet who took x-rays because he thought she might have an obstruction, note I said friendly not knowledgeable.
In the end he agreed with me that she probably had a bleeding ulcer. He gave me the helicobacter protocol antibiotics - amoxicillin and biaxin. As soon as I gave her the biaxin she vomited blood again. I posted on the FHL and thankfully Dr. Williams responded right away and gave me suggestions on what to do. She survived that episode but might not have. Sadly, she sucummbed to lymphoblasticsarcoma 3 months later.
The point of this long story is that stress is known to exacerbate ulcers in ferrets and can bring one on surprizingly quickly, especially in a compromised ferret i.e., ill, senior, etc.
I at no time blamed Principessa. It was my fault for not being more vigilant. Her nature was what it was. She was the sweetest ferret imagineable with humans but only got along with her sisters, not other ferrets. I lost her to JL last year - just before her 2nd birthday. Her sisters remain in their own separate play group to this day.
I hope your little one makes it. As already mentioned it could be a number of different things and sincerely hope whatever it is resolves positively.
Tressie
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