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Post by Deleted on Aug 14, 2014 7:29:01 GMT -5
Hello all,
This is not a new issue with my ferret. Sometimes my ferret will cough very loudly (more like a very hoarse hacking sound), and usually she coughs 5 - 10 times in a row at one time. When this happens, we give her some water out of a syringe and encourage her to eat. Occasionally this helps, usually it doesn't. Often when she has this coughing, it will go on for 3 - 4 hours at least, but then she will be fine afterwards. On days when she has the cough, she usually does it when she is cuddled up in bed, and rarely does it when she is out playing. She has these 'coughing episodes' about 1-3 times per month.
We have taken her for a check up at the vet (and mentioned this) but the vet said that nothing appears to be wrong with her.
I think the issue is probably something to do with food getting caught in her throat (she eats raw), but am wondering if anyone else has other possibilities?
Also, is there a more effective way to help her get food out of her throat, if that's what it is?
Thanks!
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Post by Sherry on Aug 14, 2014 9:26:20 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2014 22:04:09 GMT -5
Thanks Sherry - your video sounds exactly like Cyrus. Hopefully the problem subsides as we get closer to the winter season (in Canada)
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 11:10:48 GMT -5
Sherry, It seems like this has almost become a daily thing now. Do you think that this may be caused by something other than fur in her throat?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 11:15:54 GMT -5
When you give her some water, add a drop of oil to the water. If its fur, that should help the fur go down easier. You can also comb her and help remove some of the extra fur.
An egg a week is a good hairball rememdy.
If your vet says she is fine and can't find anything, chances are its fur from grooming.
Did your vet say anything about allergies? Is your litter very dusty, do you use Pine products?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 31, 2014 11:18:56 GMT -5
Thanks, I will try the oil.
Any suggestions on how to get them eating eggs? Neither of my ferrets have ever had egg. (I assume they can eat the yolk and whites?)
The vet didn't say anything about allergies, and the litter is not dusty at all. I don't use pine products.
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Post by Heather on Aug 31, 2014 16:11:32 GMT -5
Did your vet check her for cardiac problems. This usually involves an xray, listening rarely tells anything unless the disease has progressed considerably.
ciao
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Post by gfountain on Aug 31, 2014 16:28:47 GMT -5
Eggs.. yolk and white, scramble it up and serve. You may need to dab some on their mouths to get them started.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 1, 2014 9:04:15 GMT -5
When is it happening? In cage or out? Emily's cough lasts about 3 weeks twice a year and rarely occurs out of cage.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 1, 2014 15:28:39 GMT -5
The vet didn't check for cardiac problems. He said that the next step would be to take an xray if she continued coughing.
I will try giving them eggs as suggested.
It happens about 99% of the time in the cage, very very occasionally she is out of the cage when it happens. I have just been noticing that the last few weeks the cough has been much more than usual, almost daily.
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Post by Sherry on Sept 2, 2014 8:48:44 GMT -5
Not saying definitely but as it is mainly in cage odds are she is sensitive to fur caught in her throat. Try changing bedding out twice a week right now, and brush her and her friends. When she has an episode follow the routine listed with the video of Emily. And keep rescue remedy on hand as they can and do panic themselves into vomiting if an episode gets bad.
Best method to prevent that is simple interruption.
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Post by Heather on Sept 2, 2014 11:18:55 GMT -5
I'm a paranoid ok....if this keeps up and you're noticing it more and the egg doesn't seem to do anything other than a temp fix, please get her checked up with an Xray. There are a couple of things that it could be and the fact that it's increasing, would, for me, cause concern. Let's just say, that a heart condition could be the least of your worries  You didn't mention how old your little one was?? ciao |
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Post by Deleted on Sept 9, 2014 20:54:27 GMT -5
Thanks for your help all!
She is about 4 - 5 years old. We took her to the vet today because the coughing started to happen more often outside of the cage. The vet still says that nothing seems to be wrong, but we were given some 'cough' medicine for bronchitis. If this doesn't help at all the vet says he will take an x ray.
Again, thanks for all your support and will keep you updated.
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Post by Thérèse on Sept 10, 2014 7:44:04 GMT -5
I'd really be checking for cardiomyopathy at the least. The increasing severity of the cough really does make it seem like something is seriously going on. The sooner you find the problem the better chance you have of treating it. Are you confident in your vet's knowledge of ferrets?
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