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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 7:04:07 GMT -5
Ugh I was hoping I would never have to post here. I am definitely calling off work to watch her today/take her to the vet if I need to, but I honestly am terrified. I've read the posts on here about essential oils previously and that's why I'm scared. I caught Coconut licking/sniffing a spot on the floor. When I went to look at what it was, it was a tiny drop of this massage oil I have from Bath and Body Works, I can only assume the bottle dripped when I was carrying it. The ingredients are what I assume are essential oils and various alcohols. She was sneezing/coughing a bit but it appears to have stopped (for now). She is playing in her cage. And as I typed this, she went back into the hammock to sleep. Should I take her to the vet as soon as they open? Is there anything I should look out for in terms of warning signs? Is she poisoned? She literally could've ingested less than half a dime size amount (I'm sorry non-US folks, it's the best comparison I can think of right now). I just don't want anything to happen to her.  |
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Post by Thérèse on Nov 17, 2014 7:13:08 GMT -5
I wouldn't panic. My understanding is, that while ferrets never should be given essential oils, the problem comes from a cumulative effect, so this one small amount should not cause something that requires rushing to a vet. I would however keep an eye on her. I am tagging Sherry as she is the resident guru on problems with essential oils. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 7:29:20 GMT -5
Thérèse I feel a tiny bit better. She's sleeping normally and her breathing is quiet, no wheezing or anything. I just sent my manager a message (it's only 6:30am here, I'm never letting them play while I'm getting ready outside of the tub again) letting him know I can't come in so I can watch her.
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Post by Thérèse on Nov 17, 2014 7:48:29 GMT -5
Hopeful it will be an uneventful day with Coconut showing no ill effects whatsoever
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 11:14:47 GMT -5
I have them playing in the bathroom so I can watch her closely, she's playing normally and isn't showing any signs of issues with coordination or anything like that. She does seem a little lazier than usual, but that could be because we're in a boring, confined space, and I have them out playing when I'm normally at work.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 11:26:51 GMT -5
Tagging Heather, she is very knowledgeable on this also. I'm sure your fert will be just fine, it's a one time thing. But lets wait for Sherry or Heather to pop in.  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 11:34:06 GMT -5
Thanks @julesalot! After I posted that previous comment, she pooped and peed and it looked normal. She running around and trying to get her favorite ornament off of the tree (little does she know that I ferret proofed those too lol).
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 11:35:53 GMT -5
We're all here to help. I'm glad she's feeling good!
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Post by racheld on Nov 17, 2014 12:07:52 GMT -5
I think Therese is right, as long as she doesn't get into it consistently you should be fine.
Why is it that when we WANT them to eat something, it's poison, but when they stumble across something toxic it's a delicious snack?
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 12:18:53 GMT -5
Because they're Ferrets, duh! LOL
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 12:26:59 GMT -5
Haha racheld I wonder that all the time. I swear sometimes when I'm lazy and don't want to get on the floor to get them out of under the bed/dresser, those are the ONLY places they'll go to sleep, whereas normally they'll curl up on the laundry I put on the floor for them to play with  It's like Murphy's law for ferrets, lol. Development-wise, Coconut just ate and drank and now went to sleep, per the usual. Maybe I was just being an overly paranoid mama, but I'm going to keep watching her to make sure nothing changes. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 12:38:56 GMT -5
I wouldn't panic. My understanding is, that while ferrets never should be given essential oils, the problem comes from a cumulative effect, so this one small amount should not cause something that requires rushing to a vet. I would however keep an eye on her. I am tagging Sherry as she is the resident guru on problems with essential oils. This is my understanding also. The oils become toxic as they build up in their systems. That includes inhaling them. The small amount that Coconut licked, hopefully won't cause any problems. Naughty Coconut, they really do find all kinds of ways to frighten us. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 13:12:09 GMT -5
@poncesmom thank goodness!! She probably thinks I'm crazy for how much I've been following her around, usually she follows me around the house, lol. Definitely going to be much more careful with that bottle in the future, a paper towel will be wrapped around it whenever I transport it.
This was my first real scare, she got me good.
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Post by Sherry on Nov 17, 2014 13:46:49 GMT -5
It is cumulative  The problem is it builds up over time in the organs as they cannot excrete the toxins. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 17, 2014 14:52:23 GMT -5
Thank you Sherry! I kept thinking it was toxic as in like, rat poison toxic, so I was having 800 heart attacks this morning  Hopefully this'll be the first and last time they ever get near it (and give me heart attacks!! haha). |
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