Message Number: FHL13089 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Jeff"
Date: 2011-04-02 17:21:52 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] 4 y/o male ferret gets sick day after clean bill of health at vet
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>

How experienced is your vet with ferrets? Did she do a blood glucose test?=
Given how common insulinoma is in ferrets, especially as they get older, =
that would be the first thing I=E2=80=99d suspect as a cause for Coco=E2=80=
=99s lethargy.

I=E2=80=99m also surprised that the vet didn=E2=80=99t prescribe an antibio=
tic aside from the flagyll. I=E2=80=99ve never seen a ferret that will tak=
e flagyll willingly, and most will fight vehemently to try to avoid it. I =
almost never use it because I believe it causes more stress than it=E2=80=
=99s worth in terms of potential cure. Ask your vet about getting another =
antibiotic such as amoxicillin for 10-14 days, and also get some probiotic =
to help replenish the good bacteria that may now be missing from the digest=
ive tract, and that will certainly be missing if an antibiotic is given. S=
ome examples of probiotics are Forti-Flora, Bene-Bac, or acidophilus.=20

It is also possible that Coco does have adrenal disease, as did two of your=
others, but is not showing such obvious physical symptoms yet. Getting a =
Tennessee Panel done can be expensive, but you might try something as simpl=
e as getting a melatonin implant instead to see if it helps her behavior an=
d energy level.=20

Also, for your adrenal ferrets, you should ask whether your vet has the Des=
lorelin implants, which need to be given much less frequently than the Lupr=
on, and which, over time, are more cost effective. I also personally feel =
that they are more effective than Lupron, but some other ferret folks may d=
isagree.=20

Jeff
In Loving Memory of Neo, Trinity, Morphy, Possum, Pip, Pop, Hunny, Sabrina,=
Minnie Mouse, Misty, Frodo, Baggins, and Mr. Parker
Caring for Luna, Baby Girl, and Dozer

=20

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]



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