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Post by quigley on Apr 16, 2011 19:35:12 GMT -5
My wife and I bought 2 ferrets about 4 years ago, a male and female brother and sister (Ivan and Sasha), they have done awesome since then. About 4 weeks ago we purchased another 3 month old male (Dimitri), he was the only one left in the store and looked depressed. About 2 weeks after we brought home Dimitri, I noticed that Ivan wasn't eating much when we put fresh food into the cage after we get home from work (yes they have a dish of food constantly in the cage, although we had to back off the quantity after Dimitri came home because he would dig in it), he would only eat a few kibbles (Marshals food with Marshals ferretone) and not drinking a whole lot. Now at 3 weeks he has stopped eating and drinking all together, we found one suggestion of wiskas boxed cat milk, which he attacks because he is starving. We just brought him into the vet today for x-rays, the x-rays didn't show anything, we got some medication for a possible Ulcer. Unfortunately blood work couldn't be done because the lab techs aren't in on Saturdays (he has another appointment for Tuesday or Wednesday if the ulcer meds haven't helped and he still isn't eating). The other thing that has been happening recently is that his sister Sasha is scruffing him very roughly, enough that it makes him squeal, sometimes she has him by the throat and he will not make any attempts to fight back, he will try to run away. we cant get Ivan to play anymore, all he does during floor time is mope by the gate we have set up to the room they are allowed floor time in (yes its a large room with many toys and tubes for them). I think I covered everything, Help
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Post by Heather on Apr 16, 2011 19:58:27 GMT -5
A couple of suggestions. It sounds that Ivan is depressed, it could be because of the new baby (one really can't sometimes figure out their reasoning). Depression often results in ulcers. I'm guessing that the little one doesn't appear to have any health issues? Perhaps, the little one brought in a virus, it might not have affected the little one but if your fuzzes have never encountered the virus they will be affected. So, I would start by administering RR (rescue remedy) in their water and maybe on Ivan's ears, nose and toes (just a dab). Get some whole meat baby food and some carnivore care (down in the US you can get this on line but it's faster to get it from the vet) Have you been syringe feeding (this might be a necessity until he starts eating again). Is he dehydrated? If he is he will not eat and you may have to get sub-q fluids. X-rays often don't tell you anything if he's consumed something like an eraser which doesn't show up on regular x-rays...other plastics (which they love) are often clear and cannot be seen. A barium x-ray might tell more. Is he pooping? Colour? texture...runny? thin and stringy? bird seed?....Urinating....?? His sister is aware that he's sick. Ferrets aren't necessarily "nice" to their sick counterparts and will sometimes attack them. It goes back to instinct and only the strong survive and have the right to live. It's not a nice thing to have to deal with but a fact when you introduce a carnivore to your life. Others are gentle with their sick partners but it dependent on the ferret involved. These are only a few things, hazarding a guess as to what is really wrong is a lot more complex and there will be others who will pop in and offer other possibilities. ciao
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Post by Sherry on Apr 16, 2011 20:06:08 GMT -5
I was just writing up a response, but had to check back on the original post when I saw your reply, Heather. I'm thinking pretty much along the same lines. Rule out anything medical first with a barium, and possibly a stool sample to check for bacteria, parasites, etc. Unfortunately, I've not had any luck with bloodwork coming back conclusive for most things. But it can be a tremendous help when it does. I also second the rescue remedy. It really does help. I'd definitely be syringe feeding at least til you can find out what is, or is not wrong medically. Once you can safely rule that out, then you can start working on psychological.
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Post by quigley on Apr 16, 2011 20:11:33 GMT -5
His Poop is a VERY runny yellow brown (it was normal when he was eating) not sure what you mean by birdseed and he is urinating, I will have them try a barium x-ray when he goes back to the vet. I'll search online for the RR and Carnivore care ( I have never heard of either before). if it was a virus or other contagion would his sister not be affect? different immune system handling? The new just wants to play (maybe because of age). Some good news, my wife got him to eat some solid kibble, and he is still drinking the cat milk but we have cut it 50/50 with water Is this the correct stuff?? www.onlynaturalpet.com/products/Only-Natural-Pet-Stress-Anxiety-Homeopathic-Remedy/999252.aspx
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Post by taratee on Apr 16, 2011 20:51:07 GMT -5
runny yellow brown could be ECE which is carried by a lot of younger ferrets, someone will correct me if im wrong but i think cats milk might have some effect on stools. if it was a virus it may or may not effect his sister due to immunity differences. if you are worried about how much he is eating and drinking you could always hand feed him soup
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Post by Sherry on Apr 16, 2011 21:15:25 GMT -5
Cat's milk should be the same as kitten replacer milk, and it's fine. The runny stool could just as easily be stress, blockage, anything, really And here's the rescue remedy: www.bachflower.com/Pets.htm
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Post by sherik on Apr 16, 2011 21:19:44 GMT -5
I would get some meat baby food into him. Syringe it for him. It is easy on the stomach. If he has an upset stomach he is not going to want to eat. Also some plain pedialite to help rehydrate him mixed with his water. If he doesn't eat he is going to go downhill very fast. So you are going to have to force feed him. If it is ECE, which is what is sounds like, you are going to have to get sub-q fluids for him, the vet will be able to show you how to do it. You could always make a home made soup for him too. A simple recipe. 2 or 3 cooked chicken thighs, 1/2 cup of kibbles, one cup of the chicken broth from the boiled chicken thighs. Blend it all up to a smooth texture and spoon feed him. (so you don't kill the blender, break the cooked chicken into small pieces)
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Post by miamiferret2 on Apr 16, 2011 21:20:07 GMT -5
I think heather & sherry covered everything. It could be ECE but could also be an ulcer from the stress of having a new ferret in the house. How did he react to the new ferret when you first brought him home? Is he grinding his teeth? I would separate them (reduce stress), get the RR (Bach's rescue remedy for pets-no alcohol formula), syringe feed kibble soup 90-120 cc's a day divided into 3 or 4 meals (soak kibble in water then mash well into a thick gravy), and I suggest you have him tested for adv and parasites.
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Post by Heather on Apr 16, 2011 21:27:08 GMT -5
Ece (epizootic catarrhal enteritis) is usually characterised by ghastly green to bright yellow mucousy stools. It is usually very foul smelling and is often projectile (though it doesn't have to be that way). It is almost always accompanied with vomiting (which is why this disease is lethal) It is not a disease to be taken lightly as some of our members can tell you. Anything will affect the stool, colour and consistency especially at this stage of the game. Cutting the cat milk with water will indeed help and getting him to eat any kibble is good. You should really teach all your furbabies to eat soupy for just this type of occasion, it makes it a lot easier on ones nerves Yes, that is the RR we're referring to. ciao
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Post by quigley on Apr 16, 2011 21:48:33 GMT -5
He reacted well to the new ferret, they even started playing together right off (we introduced the new one, one on one with each of our older ferrets about 10 minutes a piece and then let them have an hour or until they fell asleep) we'll try the soup Idea, although I have had no luck getting either of them to touch meat, I'll try and find some of the meat baby food as well encase they dont like the soup. Will the ECE clear on its own or is this something I need to ask my vet about? Thank you for the fast replies, I'll keep the thread updated as much as I can but this will most likely be my last post for the night, Thank you again!
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Post by Heather on Apr 16, 2011 21:53:59 GMT -5
You can ask your vet about the ECE and see what he says, it certainly can't hurt. Please keep us updated as to the outcome and your how your little one is doing ciao
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Post by Deleted on Apr 16, 2011 21:57:30 GMT -5
Keep us posted, please. Everyone here's given great advice. I'll be praying for your baby
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Post by Sherry on Apr 16, 2011 22:14:45 GMT -5
Frequently the only way to get them to try something new is persistence. With either the soup or baby food, you'll likely have to dab it on the nose again and again, til they lick it from the finger, then the spoon, then the bowl. Warming it slightly can help as well.
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Post by quigley on Apr 18, 2011 17:25:57 GMT -5
Some good news, Ivan has started eating his normal food from his bowl and drinking from the water bottle again, and solid poop again, we have also reintegrated him with the other two and all three seem to be doing fine, we'll find out more during floor time. Should we still get the blood work and another X-ray with barium done? Im going to try all three of them on the chicken thigh soup when I can get to the store
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Post by Sherry on Apr 18, 2011 19:51:06 GMT -5
If he's eating/drinking/playing/pooping as per normal, I'd just keep an eye on him for now. Although- I'd pick up a croc-lock for water as well. They get far more hydration from a bowl than from a bottle Yes, they will dig it out for a while til they get bored with that game, but having the bottle purely for backup works well
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