From:
"jenniferr"
Date: 2010-08-20 15:02:21 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Therapy for paralysis-inability to urinate
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi,
I have some information that may be helpful to ferrets that are having trouble urinating due to paralysis or perhaps even some other reasons.
A hind leg paralysis case came to the forum I frequent. The ferret was found dragging its hind legs,and she also could not urinate with having to have her bladder expressed. Since I have experience as a wildlife rehabber, I recommended the typical therapies -particularly resistance/strength training and swimming. The ferret responded and began using her legs a bit. She still lacked the ability to urinate on her own, which is a huge problem. It dawned on me (Doh!) that if this little girl had a chance for recovery of her bladder function, then "stimulation" techniques applied to baby animals may help.
Many people do not realize that many baby animals no not pee and/or poop on their own. The mom stimulates this function by licking their parts. Many see this as simply cleaning up the babies, but the function is three-fold: 1. it serves to stimulate urination and defecation 2. It cleans the babies 3. It also keep the den clean.
To stimulate a a "potty" response. use a soft cloth (toilet tissue works fine). Wet the cloth with warm water and wring it out (or wet the toilet tissue but don't make it too soggy. ) Gently rub the genitals with the warm wet cloth to replication the action of a mom licking he babies. the warm moisture and the "lick action" causes relaxation (some babies have fallen asleep in my hands!) and the ability to urinate. The same technique is used to stimulate defecation. PLEASE NOTE...you want to stimulate urination and defecation using different cloths to prevent introduction of bacteria into the urinary opening (i.e. risk of serious infection!!!)
The little ferret has responded as follows:
1. She actually learned to lick herself to urinate (WOW!!)
2. She can also urinate on her own , but she needs to move around/walk a bit to help this happen.
Her owner is no longer the keeper of her ability to urinate!!! This has been a huge success for this little girl who has been able to regain quite a bit of mobility along with recovering her bladder function to the point of "self control".
This may not help in all cases, but the possibility of helping even one ferret makes this worth sharing.
-jennifer
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