help...

[Kara]

My ferret is sick. we took her to an emergency vet last night because she was not eating and had low energy. The vet did an xray and believes it is gastroenteritis or an obstruction or blockage. the vet gave us antibiotics and gave MJ, our ferret, some fluids. Today she was still sleepy and not eating but drinking lots of water. We took her to a day vet and the vet wanted to do surgery because of the chance of an obstruction but then she told us it would be 4000 and I don't have that. so she gave MJ more fluids and taught us how to do a subcutaneous "iv" to give her fluids because she is still slightly dehydrated and showed some pain in the upper region of her belly but her heart and lungs were perfect along with everything else. At first we thought MJ was not using the bathroom at all but she is still peeing so I was wondering if anyone knows if it still can be an obstruction if she is still able to pee? Luckily we found a vet that does affordable care so I am bringing her in tomorrow but I do not want my ferret to go through the pain of surgery if there is something else wrong with her.

[Deleted]

If you mean an intestinal blockage then yes, as far as I know she should still be able to pee but it would be the poops that are blocked.


If it is an intestinal blockage, have you tried ferralax?

Someone more experienced should be along shortly

[acodlin]

If its an obstruction in her bowels then that wouldn't stop her from being able to urinate. If it truly is an obstruction then you don't want to wait. The obstruction can prevent blood flow to the area where its blocking and that can cause the bowel to die.. it will rupture and she'll die from infection/blood loss. A barium xray can rule it out. They make her drink the barium and take a series of xrays while the barium travels through her stomach and intestines.

[Deleted]

Get some plain petroleum jelly (vaseline) and some plain canned pumpkin. Give her 1tsp pumpkin followed by 1tsp Vaseline 30 mins later. Keep alternating the two every 30 minutes until you see a big orange poop. If you find any foreign objects in the poop, keep giving the Vaseline and pumpkin.

When you see your vet get them to do a BARIUM X-ray. The barium will show if she needs surgery or not. Also sometimes the barium will push the blockage out so you won't need the surgery.

This being said, you shouldn't wait. The ferret could die before then.

But you must absolutely get the pumpkin and Vaseline ASAP and start giving it. They help push blockages out.

[Sherry]

You also need to find another vet. That is theft. Find your closest shelter and ask them for a reference to who ever they use or recommend.
Have a barium X-ray done, and if possible apply for either care credit or payment plan with the vet.
Most will charge a max of $1800 for blockage surgery. The vast majority not even that
In the interim pick up pure pumpkin and white Vaseline or lax. Give one tablespoon pumpkin by syringe if need be. Follow up one hour later with Vaseline/lax. Followed one hour late by pumpkin, then lax. Keep doing this hourly until he has huge orange jelly poops. However- if he starts vomiting he needs surgery immediately.

[Kara]

Thanks everybody for the replies. I've been going crazy. I did suggest a barium xray but that was also 2000 dollars at the vet. I gave her some ferret lax tonight and am waiting to see if anything happens. I've been giving her petroleum jelly the last couple days without any luck. I have been approved for care credit and am going to a highly recommended vet in the morning that does affordable care. This lady opened this vet because she worked in shelters and saw so many animals abandoned or euthanized because owners could not afford the medical expenses. When I called her and told her my story about what happened to MJ and when I went to the last vet and she seemed really compassionate so I have hope. The last vet when I told her I could not afford to do the surgery there she went on and told me about how much the euthanasia is and if I wanted to do that. To say its been a very emotional day would be an understatement. But I did call the emergency vet I went to last night who did an xray and was very caring and asked him if I should bring MJ in again or if she will be okay until the morning when I can take her to the new vet and he said to just wait since she hasn't gotten worse so she should be okay by morning. Thank you so much for the replies! I never would have thought of pumpkin and it is completely okay for her?

[Deleted]

Yes pumpkin is completely okay and you need it to help push out a blockage. Just get PLAIN canned pumpkin from the baking aisle. No pumpkin pie filling or spices.

Keep giving the ferret lax and Vaseline.

Also if you feed kibble, make it wet and liquidy. Dry kibble will dehydrate right now and make get caught on the blockage.

[Kara]

right now we are giving her canned ferret food because its more mushy. right now shes not eating it but I went and got some plain pumpkin and fed it to her about 15 minutes ago. Thank you so much for that information! I never would have guessed I could feed pumpkin to help her. Hopefully this vet tomorrow will help me more.

[Deleted]

Oh good. Has she pooped at all lately? When and what did it look like?

Give her more laxative or Vaseline 30 mins after the pumpkin.

Then more pumpkin 30 mins after that.

Keeping going until you see a thick orange poop.

[Sherry]

Good luck at the new vet, and please keep us updated on this wee one?

[Deleted]

Praying for your littleone

[Heather]

A healing candle is lit for your wee one. I hope that something can be done for your little one
ciao

[Cynde]

How is your little one doing?

[Thérèse]

Sept 3, 2013 22:10:26 GMT -5 Kara said:

I never would have thought of pumpkin and it is completely okay for her?

Just to clarify pumpkin isn't part of a regular diet but it is an invaluable tool for a suspected blockage.

Hope you wee one is doing ok and that you can find her some affordable and effective help

[Kara]

Hey everybody! Sorry I haven't been able to get back to you until now. It has been a crazy and hectic couple days. I found the perfect vet for MJ. It was an hour and a half drive but completely worth it. The vet made me feel comfortable and apparently MJ too because MJ had not pooped for 3 days and after the vet held her for awhile she pooped right in the vets hand lol. MJ did have emergency surgery. Luckily everything was in MJs stomach and had not spread into her intestines too. The vet did not find any large pieces but MJ did eat a little of my boyfriends rubber phone case so the vet and I believe it was not an obstruction but more that the phone case was toxic. This vet was not even close to charging me what the last vet wanted but the greatest thing she said to me was right away when I met her she told me " I do not care if you can't pay me right now we will not let your ferret die. The surgery will happen no matter what." They took blood and MJs electrolytes were out of whack plus her chloride? levels were critical. The vet was hoping to be able to pump fluids into her to try to stabilize her overnight then do surgery in the morning but poor MJ just kept getting worse so the vet thought it would be smart to do the surgery right away because there was a chance she might not have made it by morning. So the vet pumped her with fluids for an hour and gave her pain meds a valium and as little gas as possible ( didn't want to give her too much because we were worried her heart might give out) The surgery took about an hour and MJ did great. There was zero complications and her heart was strong. Its the next day now and her electrolytes still are a bit out of whack but they are still working on that and the doctor said she isn't very surprised with it being toxic fluids that were in her instead of just an obstruction. Her chloride is still critical but that is improving as well. I was not able to see her today :( since I am far away but the vet said she is a lot more perky and aware of her surroundings. She still doesn't want to eat on her own but after being in so much pain for so long and having surgery on her stomach that is not shocking. They fed her through a syringe and she kept that down and even pooped! They will be doing more bloodwork tomorrow to check her electrolytes again but they think if she keeps her meds and food down we can take her home. I miss her so much but I am so glad they saved her!!!! This place was unbelievable. I will upload a picture I took of her when I saw her after surgery. Long story short it looks like my baby is going to be okay.