Message Number: FHL13848 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "DaneeD"
Date: 2011-08-22 03:00:05 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Unusual case - thoughts and opinions appreciated
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com



--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Danee DeVore" <Ferrets4all@...> wrote:
>
> I have a 5 month old jill who suddenly became very ill earlier this week. At the time, my vet was off for 2 days, so I took her to a local vet that "treats some ferrets", but not much was established in the way of a diagnosis. Today my regular vet saw her, and although he ran some tests, he is still not able to give me a firm diagnosis, although there are several possibilities we are considering. Two of them are DIM and the ferret FIP-like virus (Correct abbreviation - FSCV for Ferret Systemic Coronavirus). >
>

Just an update on my little girl - tonight she has been interested in being very active. She spent quite a bit of time exploring, and then played (hand wrestled) with me for a while. She did not want to be held very long, but it appeared to be more because she wanted to get down and explore. Have ferrets with DIM gone from being lethargic to recovering their energy and interest in moving around? She still does not want to play with other ferrets, but she is also starting to come into her first season, and may also be feeling hormonal.

While I have not managed to take her temperature (my usual helper is out of town), she does feel warm to the touch, so I suspect she is still running a fever.

Several people wrote to me privately suggesting her symptoms were very indicative of DIM, and so I will be talking to my vet about doing a muscle biopsy. Also, some questions that were asked privately I am going to document here, so that it will be available for future reference. Finally, I was provided with several papers on both DIM and FSCV, which I will be sharing with my vet. I want to thank every one that has provided information for their help.

As to the questions:

She was vaccinated about 1 week before the rabies shot with Purevax, and would have gotten her second shot in 2 more weeks. Given the current problem, we may hold off on that, and start the series over again when she is completely recovered. However, if this is DIM - is it recommended that all vaccinations be avoided?

As far as I know, she has no swollen lymph nodes. My vet commented when he checked her that there were none he could feel. He also did not feel any subcutaneous or internal lumps.

I am going to be trying to get a temperature on her after she get tired tonight, as this is about the time the fever is usually the highest. On Thursday, when we took her to the first vet, her eyes looked very glassy. Since then, they have appeared normal - bright, but no glassy. She is also responsive to noises (like a ferret would normally be), and looks at me when I talk to her. Her stools continue to be soft but formed, with no mucous, and are also a normal color.

I do now have information on the treatment protocol that Dr. Katrina Ramsell devised, which did save several ferrets with DIM, and will also be passing this on to my vet.

Again, any useful information or ideas are appreciated

Danee DeVore
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
For more information visit:
http://www.ferretadv.com
ADV - Find out how you can help:
http://help4adv.terrabox.com/




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