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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 17:15:25 GMT -5
Hi all, just a quick rundown of my dilemma. My 2.5 year old boy has an acute onset of swollen lymph nodes. He is eating normal, sleeping a little more (I blame my work schedule and not playing with him as much as I should be), BMs are normal, seems more itchy but Ive noticed his coat coming in thicker. He has also gained a little weight. He is active and into everything. Within the last 2 days ive noticed some swelling but. I didnt feel any nodes. I attributed it to winter weight gain. Now today his prescapular, axillary, inguinal, and popliteal nodes are all swollen. Ive also noted his abdomen seems a little taunt and slightly painful intermittently. The submandibular are not affected. He also has a slight fever of 103. Again, he isn't acting any different. My issue is this...I do not have a vet remotely close to me. Thr closest is 3 hours away in philadelphia and i was not impressed when I went there. He blew off my concerns and told me "not a lot is known about ferrets" when i brought to his attention the intermittent allergic swelling my boy has. I do have an emergency vet an hour and a half away who is very knowledgeable about ferrets and has helped me twice in the past, but the walk in the door fee is 100. Id like to see what everyones thoughts are before I rush him down there at 9pm (only open at night). I got antibiotics from a vet a used to work for and have started him on those with the hope that its an infectious process from the acute onset and fever. Any opinions would be appreciated. I plan on giving the antibiotics a few days unless he stops eating and playing and actually begins showing some sort of issue other than the physical signs. Then I will take him to the ER.
thanks in advance kayla
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 20:47:14 GMT -5
I'm sorry that your boy is going thru this. I'm not good with medical issues, but we have alot of experienced Ferrents who may be able to offer you some good advice. I'll keep an eye on this and keep you bumped up top, so that everyone will see this thread.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 4, 2014 21:15:44 GMT -5
Thanks so much! Its just difficult when I have no where close and trustworthy to take him. Im not opposed to going to the emergency vet, its just sometimes i jump the gun and go and end up psying $100 for nothing. Since he is acting fine I am at a loss
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Post by unclejoe on Nov 5, 2014 9:59:50 GMT -5
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 13:05:22 GMT -5
I actually work for a veterinary hospital that sees ferrets... But honestly I'm not confident in the doctor. She is wonderful with dogs and cats... But she see exotics as a convenience to people... The vet I really like is the emergency vet in state college, PA. The doctors last name is Algiers. Or something of the like. He's helped me with allergic swelling and a rectal prolapse. He is only an emergency vet though.. Which makes it discount to afford.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 15:02:25 GMT -5
Poor little guy I hope he starts feeling better soon! I know this isn't much help, but I'm wondering since you work at a vet hospital; Could you take him in and see what she says? Even though she isn't a ferret 'specialist', maybe there is something that she has read/seen before and could guide you into the direction of either monitoring him or take him to the er?
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Post by Heather on Nov 5, 2014 16:09:12 GMT -5
I have great confidence in vets who are "willing" to work with you. He needs to be seen and finding a vet that will help you is what you really need ciao
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Post by Deleted on Nov 5, 2014 19:52:58 GMT -5
I'm taking him into work with me tomorrow.... The only problem is that they can't draw blood on him.... The techs aren't comfortable doing it and the doctor hasn't done it in years..... This is the issue I'm having. It takes someone with a little experience to do what needs to be done. I'm definitely getting at least rads done. Maybe an aspirate on the nodes that are swollen most. The little guy is sleeping more.. But comes out to eat and use the litter box... He is still inquisitive and is getting into stuff... I can get him ripping around if I try... But I'm not sure that's a good idea.
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Post by unclejoe on Nov 5, 2014 19:53:37 GMT -5
Poor little guy I hope he starts feeling better soon! I know this isn't much help, but I'm wondering since you work at a vet hospital; Could you take him in and see what she says? Even though she isn't a ferret 'specialist', maybe there is something that she has read/seen before and could guide you into the direction of either monitoring him or take him to the er? I agree. A round of antibiotics might fix it. I'd at least ask about it.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 9:25:45 GMT -5
Took Dukes to the office with me this morning... And my doctor looked at him... Said she wasn't concerned.. Said the obvious "don't feed raw because of salmonella, he could get sick from eating raw peoducts "... Which I blew off. He gets a commercial raw mix.... And said keep him. On the antibiotics. I want to do x-rays and she says there is no reason too.... So i'll more than likely be taking him to the ER this weekend. He is getting more lethargic.. Comes out to eat... Doesn't eat much.. And goes back to bed.... He was super active today at the vet though.. But he is always stressed here.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 6, 2014 11:13:27 GMT -5
Aww, poor Dukes I'm glad you took him in even though it sounds like he only got fresh air Definitely sounds like something is going on. Too bad she wouldn't proceed with what you wanted (x-rays). I know you're doing what's best for him and I'm sorry this doctor didn't help. I believe you said you like the ER doctor, so I hope that visit goes better WITH a positive outcome (Today is my brother's birthday-so today will be a good day for Dukes too!) Hang in there mom, and little Dukes!
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Post by Deleted on Nov 7, 2014 16:47:08 GMT -5
Thanks! I still don't know what's going on... Too x-rays today.. Compared them to last year's... Things seem a little off... The other doctor I work for who knows nothing about ferrets looked at them and said in his opinion things looked kinda funky... And he recommended taking him to the ER..... And I trust his opinion even with no experience. He has been on amoxicillin since Tuesday and I see no difference... His eating has slowed down some... We just got back from work and I let him out of the crate and he is running around the apartment into everything. I know I should take him tonight... But money is a huge issue... I have care credit with a big credit line... But it's just money I don't have right now. I'm afraid of what the answer may be. He is only 2.5 years old.... Has been a problem child from the get go. He has a smallish stool today that was slightly red tinged today as well. I'm just at a loss of what would cause this to happen so quick. His nodes were swollen in a days time. And the fever came out of no where. I have to go back into work for an hour tonight.. Nobody would cover my shift so I could take him... So once I'm done with work I will probably make the 2 hours drive to the ER and end staying the night there.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 10, 2014 12:31:44 GMT -5
I know it is frustrating when you know something is wrong and no one can tell you, especially the patient I'm sorry that a few days have passed without anyone commenting. I'm hoping no news is good news How is your baby doing? Did you end up going to the ER vet?
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Post by unclejoe on Nov 10, 2014 21:40:24 GMT -5
Any news?
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Post by crazylady on Nov 11, 2014 6:27:34 GMT -5
I hope you find out what is going on it takes a while for antibiotics to kick in your baby needs a vet who knows what they are doing ( unfortunately they are hard to come by ) can you contact a rescue group near you or a breeder or a member of the american ferret association near you who can recommend a good vet I know there are a few breeders in state college maybe they can help with a knowledgeable and reasonably priced vet good luck with your baby take care bye for now Bev
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