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Post by Blue on Nov 24, 2014 6:54:45 GMT -5
Maisie is sick (lethargic, dehydrated) we're on our way to the vet's (they open at 7:30 am). In the meantime is giving her salmon oil a good idea? She'll lick it if I bring it to her mouth. Tried getting water into her that way, wasn't interested. Thanks
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Post by Sherry on Nov 24, 2014 9:36:56 GMT -5
Just saw this. If you have any, try some watered down chicken broth instead.
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Post by msav on Nov 24, 2014 10:52:03 GMT -5
Some times floating the oil on top of water will get them to drink. I tried this method with Hammie when he would not drink. He would not drink broth either.
if you feel comfortable with it, I would ask your vet to set you up with Subcutaneous fluids in case of emergency and have them show you how to do it. Sooner or later every ferret owner will need this and it will be a matter of life and death.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 13:08:47 GMT -5
I hope all goes well for Maisie at the Vet. Please keep us posted and I will be sending her Get Well Wishes.
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Post by Blue on Nov 24, 2014 13:53:33 GMT -5
Thank you all! Maisie is at the vet right now getting a barium treatment (is that the right term?). She has some kind of a blockage. There's a lot of food in her belly that hasn't gone through, and there seems to be several small pieces of something below that. She isn't completely blocked because she's still pooping (greenish tint, mucous, horrible smell). Hopefully the barium will take care of it, otherwise it'll be surgery. The vet said the salmon oil might have helped a little by lubing the way.
That's the short version! The long version includes my car breaking down, a wonderful friend giving us a ride to the hospital, and roadside assistance. I now have a rental car and am waiting to hear back from both the vet and the dealership.
I'm so thankful for this forum. Without it, I don't think I would have seen the signs so early or known to act on it so fast. She was perking up when we got to the vet's so I was beginning to feel stupid. Thank you all and I'll keep you updated.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 14:04:22 GMT -5
Oh Geez, when it rains...it pours.
Your Vet is giving her a Barium Xray and that's a good thing. The Barium can help push the blockage thru in alot of cases. Poor little Maisie.
I know Maisie is your first ferret. Our finicky picky ferrets who won't eat good healthy foods will eat rubber and foam happily. After all this is over, and Maisie is back home, take a few moments and read about the blockage protocol, how to detect signs of a blockage and then go thru and pick up all the rubber and foam that you can find.
This happens to even the most experienced ferrent. Even non chewers will find a way to get into trouble. I just went thru this with my two girls. Hurricanekatt has a Koda who has been thru several surgeries and many Close Encounters of the Koda Kind.
:wave2:
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Post by bitbyter on Nov 24, 2014 14:34:07 GMT -5
Close Encounters of the Koda Kind!!! LOVE IT!
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Post by Blue on Nov 24, 2014 17:00:48 GMT -5
No confirmed news yet but surgery is looking likely. Some of the barium came through but not much. Her blood work is good except liver a little elevated (or low?) which doc says is normal for GI inflammation. He'll be calling me back soon with options -- but the only option is surgery or not, right? Which I'll say yes to.
I guess I've graduated to full ferrenthood with my first health emergency, right? I'm so thankful I went straight to the vet. Thanks again for being there guys.
ETA and apparently this is my 100th post which makes me a "Junior Member" - spooky
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Post by Blue on Nov 24, 2014 18:33:06 GMT -5
She's going in for surgery now and I'll know how it went sometime after 8 Superstitiously, I like to think that all the bad luck with my car means good luck with the surgery!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 19:04:54 GMT -5
Poor little girl!! I'm sending you both well wishes <3 and hopefully your car issue is only something super minor!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 19:58:20 GMT -5
Thoughts & prayers for your baby and you. I hope she's ok. <3
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Post by Blue on Nov 24, 2014 20:48:40 GMT -5
Maisie came through surgery just fine, yay!!! Apparently the blockage looked gray and grainy, like litter, but I don't use that kind. Her stomach was very thin and distended as the blockage was acting like a clog. Her insides looked great, no necrotic tissue or anything. If she's doing well in the morning, she can come home tomorrow night. I'm so relieved!!!!! Thank you everyone for your support and good thoughts, and seriously, I don't know if she would have made it if it weren't for this forum. The vet operated tonight because it couldn't wait, so any delay might have been fatal, or at least permanently damaging. I feel like I can breathe for the first time since 6 am this morning, when I found her lying half on the ramp, and half on the ledge. It was awful. But it's good now!
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Post by gfountain on Nov 24, 2014 20:56:06 GMT -5
I'm glad I didn't see this thread until she was out of surgery or I would have worried all day with you! I'm so happy things went well. We'll be keeping fingers and paws crossed for a swift recovery! Hugs to Maisie and to Mama!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 24, 2014 20:58:20 GMT -5
(dance) Really happy for you Blue. Would love to see a photo when she gets on the mend. <3
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Post by bitbyter on Nov 24, 2014 21:48:09 GMT -5
Was the material hard? If you vet hasn't thrown it out, you might be able to search to see if you can find what it was she was chewing on.
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