From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2010-08-22 13:28:13 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: my 5 yr old boy ferret is very thin & sick - please help
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Vicky,
I see only two options, given your situation:
- see if someone can loan you the money to get him the necessary veterinary care he requires
- contact a local ferret shelter and see if they can take him
There is no easy solution to be able to keep him while at the same time provide him the care he requires. If you can't afford the vet care then sadly you may have to surrender him so that he can get the medical care he very much needs.
Ferrets are expensive critters to own. Veterinary care is more expensive for them because it is specialized and not all vets are experienced or familiar in treating ferrets.
Now something to consider is that a ferret knowledgeable vet should be able to tell you what he/she thinks is going on with him without doing a whack of expensive diagnostics. For example, if lymphoma is suspected or whether he 'might' have adrenal disease. No vet is likely to give a definitive diagnosis without more diagnostics but should still be able to give you a 'best guess.' And then you can make your decision based on that.
Having the blood work done was a good thing, at lease its ruled out some things. Or was it only a prick test to check his blood glucose level?
The smacking of lips with no food sounds like teeth grinding, which is a pain response, can also be nausea. Either can be signs of Helicobacter infection or other GI issues. He may have IBD. He may have lymphoma. He may have a number of different things going on at the same time.
In the interim I would eliminate ALL treats, get him on a palatable nutritious diet that's gentle on his tummy. The A/D or chicken baby food with some mushed up kibble would be an option. If you find adding the kibble causes more mouth pawing or teeth grinding, eliminate it and stick to the A/D or baby food.
Bite the bullet and take him to the vet and discuss the options. And then make the hard decision whether you can afford to keep him or should surrender him to a ferret shelter.
Tressie
[I have been wondering about a shifting
bolus in the stomach (partial blockage)
as a possible cause from the description
given and that would require surgery *IF*
it is what is going on.
See another post in this topic for lists
of ferret vets.
BTW, on a rare basis there are times when
a labor exchange can happen for part of
the cost but that usually requires previous
knowledge of each other so that the vet
can be sure the person can be trusted
and often there are not skills to trade
on the client's side.
-- Moderator]
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