From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2011-03-05 01:10:30 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Stuffy, congested nose
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I would take her to another ferret knowledgeable veterinarian and get a second professional opinion for starters.
She may be displaying the ferret equivalent to snoring as does a human who is too overweight. However, that has little to do with her runny nose and sneezing. It sounds more like she might be allergic to something in her environment. A clear nasal discharge is generally indicative of allergy. Coloured nasal discharge is more typical of infection.
Try to think of things that might be causing an allergic response. Its better, if possible, to eliminate what might be causing the allergy than have her on medication unnecessarily longterm.
Do you use a scent-free laundry detergent? If not, switch to cleaning products including laundry soap/softener that is labelled as scent-free and hypoallergenic.
What kind of litter do you use? Again ensure its scent-free and doesn't make dust.
The headshaking may be trying to clear her nose since she can't exactly blow it ; )
It is also possible that she may have a small growth in her nasal/sinus area that is creating an irritation and a sinus x-ray would confirm or rule that out.
While it is true that obesity can exacerbate health issues, it is also true that some ferrets seem to be prone to obesity. Hypothyroidism is something that is being considered in these ferrets. Unfortunately, to date there are no effective diagnostics or tests developed to diagnose hypothyroidism in ferrets.
That aside, seek a second professional opinion.
Tressie
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/