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Post by AliceFuzzy on Dec 31, 2013 6:25:06 GMT -5
I am going to the vet tomorrow, but it's late and I'm worried sick about my 7-year old male Alice. He's recovering from what we hope is pneumonia, is on antibiotics and a dieuretic. He had terrible coughing and that's been gone for a couple of weeks.
But now he's starting to lose the use of his back legs! Help!! He's gotten weaker over the past 3-4 days, to the point where today he'll tip over sideways when standing. I am worried sick. I can't think rationally right now.
He's also been dragging his butt on the floor (as if wiping) for the last few days. His anus seems inflamed and is sore if I touch it to wipe up poop. He's been having diarrhea due to the antiobiotic. What a f$&@ mess!!
-scared
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Post by Deleted on Dec 31, 2013 6:42:59 GMT -5
I don't know about the other things but do you have some sudocreme for his poor little bottom? Would soothe it.
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Post by Thérèse on Dec 31, 2013 7:32:36 GMT -5
Sounds like there are a number of health issues all coming together on your boy at once. A vet visit is definitely a good idea.
Off the top of my head, the coughing may not just be pneumonia but may be indicative of heart issues, hind end weakness can indicate many things but the way you describe it with the tipping over side ways suggests to me that insulinoma (blood glucose issues) are maybe presenting themselves. Also the diahrea from the antibiotic may have exacerbated any blood glucose issues and caused a slight prolapse. A bit of sugar sprinkled on his bottom if this is the case, hold him still to let it absorb should help a prolapse.
I would definitely have the vet check his blood glucose levels. His age and I don't know what you are feeding also make insulinoma a higher possibility. If he has diarhea, he may also be a bit dehydrated so may need some subcutaneous fluids from the vet.
I am keeping you and Alice in my thoughts and hope that some answers can be found. I hope I haven't caused you more worry but just wanted to prepare you that you may not just be looking at a single health issue right now. Best of luck to you both.
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Post by Sherry on Dec 31, 2013 9:29:29 GMT -5
Cardio problems, I believe, can also cause blood glucose problems  But either or yes- a vet visit is needed asap. He needs his bg done. It's a simple test done right there with a glucometer. Also he'll need an xray and possibly an ultrasound to determine the potential heart problems. BOTH can be medicated! |
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Post by crazylady on Dec 31, 2013 9:49:14 GMT -5
Hi As Sherry has said he will need a vet visit asp keep his fluids up even if it means syringing fluids into him dioreah can really pull them down fluid wise sudocreme will help his backside but if its swollen your vet may also prescribe something to take it down ( a form of anusol)the main thing you need to concentrate on is getting the chest clear and getting food into him along with keeping him hydrated not eating can cause wierd reactions too ( think of yourself not eating you go dizzy wobbly on your legs ect ) well he needs his dioreah issue resolved pretty quick because basically what is going in is coming out result no nutrition ask your vet is there is anything she can give for the dioreah issue then as sherry has said I would rule out heart issues please keep us updated good luck to your baby take care bye for now
Bev
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Post by AliceFuzzy on Dec 31, 2013 11:57:02 GMT -5
Thank you all so much for your help and support. Being alone with a sick ferret is a desperate feeling unlike any other.
I've been having to give him large doses of treats in order to mix his antibiotic in and get him to take it, since it's terrible tasting. I'm worried this is creating / worsening a case of insulinoma I didn't know about. :/ poor Alice.
Thanks again you all. Hopefully my vet is open today! (I'm supposed to be leaving on a 10-day trip! Not sure whether I should cancel!)
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Post by crazylady on Dec 31, 2013 13:16:43 GMT -5
Hi what type of treat are you giving him ? the way he is feeling I would not worry too much about the taste what he needs is plenty of protein and fluids try sucking up a little soup before and after measuring meds this way he gets soup then med then the taste is killed again by more soup it also means he will be receiving much needed fluid and protein together the choice as to go on your trip has to be yours maybe your vet could advise you if your baby can be left with someone else for that length of time good luck please let us know how things progress take care bye for now
Bev
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Post by sherik on Dec 31, 2013 15:39:09 GMT -5
This is exactly what I just went through. We were treating Indy for pneumonia, but it turned out he actually had right sided cardiomyopathy. He just kept getting weaker and weaker, until he could no longer walk at all. He needs to get an xray to be sure. The reason they get weaker is because of cellular respiration, not getting enough oxygen to his body.
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Post by AliceFuzzy on Dec 31, 2013 21:03:44 GMT -5
Thank you all so much. It's nice to know there is someone else going through the same thing. Vet says since I'm going away (Alice will be in care of friends) to stop the antibiotics since they're making him have the diarrhea, and he's dragging his butt on the ground with a painful inflamed anus This way I can stop with the treats altogether, as it's hard to get him to take the antibiotic any other way - treats trump all. If needed again I will try them with soup as you suggest, or maybe with fish cause he loves it. *sigh* thanks all. Will report back about how things progress in case it's useful for anyone. |
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Post by Sherry on Jan 1, 2014 9:43:19 GMT -5
Let us know what his vet visit says?
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Post by unclejoe on Jan 1, 2014 10:49:00 GMT -5
Most times you have to finish the whole scrip of antibiotics to be sure it works completely. How long will you be away? Could be another antibiotic that he'll have less problem with. Antibiotics can kill the good flora in the gut, so you may want to give a little plain yogurt to replace the probiotics if he goes back for another round. It might help with the diarrhea. How did Alice end up with a girl name?  |
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Post by Thérèse on Jan 1, 2014 11:03:02 GMT -5
Shot in the dark...Alice, as in Cooper!
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Post by AliceFuzzy on Jan 21, 2014 6:14:43 GMT -5
Hi all!
Thanks again for your responses.
Alice did great while I was away, friends cared for him and he didn't cough at all.
BUT now I brought a cold back from the airplane, and he caught it. So he's coughing again, poor bean. He's had a bad cough for a week and I/and the vet have put him back on Baytril (antibiotic) and Lasix (dieuretic which flushes fluid out of lungs). He is feeling pretty weak but I've got my fingers crossed.
I think the cold is affecting him badly due to his lungs being weak from prior pneumonia.
At least this is my reading of the situation.
I will continue to update!
Thanks again.
Oh and he got his name Alice because we thought he was female his whole life until last month when we saw his penis on an X-ray!
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Post by Deleted on Jan 21, 2014 15:22:47 GMT -5
Oh and he got his name Alice because we thought he was female his whole life until last month when we saw his penis on an X-ray! Goodness, no wonder the poor little guys not been feeling well.  He's had gender identity issues his whole life by always being called a 'good girl'! I can just imagine his thoughts... "...gosh darnit.. 8 years of this girl thing... good girl this.. good girl that... if she calls me a girl one more time, Im gonna poop on the floor, then flop onto my side and pretend to be sick! Oh no! no no no! .. here she comes with that stupid frilly pink ferret hat! Quick, flop on the side so she thinks I'm sink!"  On a more serious note, hope the little guy feels better! |
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Post by AliceFuzzy on Jan 22, 2014 2:16:17 GMT -5
LOL I am also a he, and Alice doesn't mind... A penis doesn't make someone a he or a guy anyhow.
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