From:
"lizabet@rogers.com"
Date: 2010-10-19 13:35:29 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Hind limb paresis/weakness
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi we have 3 ferrets, Deirdre, Liam and Clement . The first two are about 1 year old, the last boy we are unsure but think around 2 years old.
Clement has been having issues with his hind legs for the last 4 to 6 months. Initially it was just some mild weakness and then he started to drag his left hind leg. There was no history of any trauma- they have a large ferret nation cage and are only out in a ferret proofed area, though we do have cats. The weakness progressed to partial paralysis but he could still fell his feet and was happy as can be.
Blood work ( CBC, profile) at the vets was normal as were the radiographs. He got better initially on his own, however when a second episode occurred he was given prednisone ( 1 -2 mg/mg dose range ) for a couple of days and went back to normal. He has had several episodes like this and has gotten better each time with the short course of steroids ( one to two days).
Now he is at his worst and the steroids do not seem to be helping.. Any suggestions. He is happy eating wants to run around and attack the others. He has been vaccinated for distemper though I do not know much about the first year of his life as he was a rescue. He does seem to have good tone in both hind legs , no muscle loss but does seem painful upon palpation of the spine at the junction of his chest and belly.
Thanks
Elizabeth
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