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Post by Alycia on Feb 20, 2015 18:22:23 GMT -5
Hello, I have a ferret who was adopted. He is about five years old. He has developed insulinoma and is very weak and can't really walk, his back legs are the weakest and he seems to have a hard time holding him self up. He's been eating on his own mostly baby food because that's all he'll eat. He sometimes drinks on his own but I mostly have to force him to drink. What are some things I can do at home to make him more comfortable? Or what are some things I should be doing? I need some advice.
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Post by ferretbrah on Feb 20, 2015 19:10:36 GMT -5
Is he currently being treated for it?
What doses is he on?
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Post by Alycia on Feb 20, 2015 20:09:24 GMT -5
The veterinarian can not get me in till the 24th because he is the only one that can see him. I have been reading on some things that I can do in the mean time but I am afraid it might get worse. In the beginning it looked like he just had a stomach ache and within days he dropped weight and stopped eating. In the beginning he had diarrhea but now his poop has shape and is not runny, which is good. I'm not sure what I can do to make him comfortable until his appointment. Have you dealt with this before?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 20:18:31 GMT -5
Order carnivore care. It's the BEST. I'm a recent convert due to Charlie's insu. He loves it and the only thing he would eat before was chicken baby food. he's picky eater too Carnivore care is a complete diet. It's pricey but so worth it. It's really helped stabilize his insu. What's his BG, blood glucose? Is he on any meds? If not he needs to see a vet ASAP. he needs to be on prednisilone and Carafate for his tummy. It's a manageable disease but he needs to be treated right away.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 20:26:37 GMT -5
I don't want to freak you out but he needs a vet ASAP. Did u tell them u think he has insu? He needs meds as he already sounds very weak. He could have a seizure if it gets too low. Have honey or caro syrup handy just in case. My poor Charlie had a seizure and before I rushed him to the vet I rubbed it on his gums to bring his BG up and out of his seizure. ONLY do this if he has a seizure. Make sure he eats every 4-6 hours. Are you adding any water to the baby food? If not, add some. How much is he eating and how much does he weigh?
Do you have a BG monitor? I got mine from CVS it was cheap and I'm SO glad to have it. They are used for diabetes.
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Post by Alycia on Feb 20, 2015 20:44:41 GMT -5
No you're not freaking me out, I needed to know what to do! So this good! He has an appointment on the 24th and no but they didn't have anything sooner. He eats about a teaspoon and a half and yes I dalute it with water. He's a very picky eater as well. I have also been giving him pedialyte to hydrate him. Okay I will go buy one now. What should his BG be?
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2015 21:01:25 GMT -5
Well anything below mid 70's is definitely insu. 80s or above is best and normal is over 100. However, they can adjust to living with a lower BG but he has to get stable and the only way to do that is to put him on prednisilone and he will also need Carafate to coat his tummy. Pred is hard on their stomachs. Charlie has been up and down but lately he's been stable. I'm so thankful. He was touch and go for a while but I'm determined. The lowest reading I've gotten was the mid 40s but as high as 77. Call your vet again. Did u tell them how sick he was and that he's not walking and barely eating? Is there another vet nearby that can see him sooner?
Order the big bag of carnivore care. The small bag only lasts about a day. I also add more water than the directions call for Pred makes them thirsty but it also makes them hungry. Charlie's gained back on about 5oz on it. He's still on it. Also I fed hm every time he was up. So sometimes it was once every 1/2 hour. Even if it was a few licks they all add up in the end. Every bit is a tiny victory.
There are a lot of ferrents that have insu ferrets so please ask away if you have questions. The more details the better. The amount of knowledgable ferrents on this board is nothing short of amazing. Most know more about ferrets than my own vet. Seriously. We are all friendly and supportive. I wish the best and please keep us posted.
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Post by unclejoe on Feb 20, 2015 22:36:02 GMT -5
I would try to convince the vet that this is a life-threatening emergency and to get you in sooner. I might even take him in without an appt so they can see how weak he is. Is there an emergency vet near you?
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Post by Heather on Feb 20, 2015 23:09:41 GMT -5
I would be walking through the vet's door and demanding to see a vet as this is an emergency. The 24th is much too late....no I would be demanding service NOW. This is not a time to be polite. If they refuse to treat your ferret go somewhere that will. Your ferret may not make it to the 24th. If he slides into a seizure he may well not come out of it. ciao
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Post by Alycia on Feb 21, 2015 11:36:29 GMT -5
He is going to see a vet today! I will let you guys know what they say. Hopefully everything goes okay!
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2015 13:22:19 GMT -5
Great! Yes, please let us know I've been thinking about you guys all day.
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Post by Celene on Feb 21, 2015 13:35:06 GMT -5
I hope everything goes well! Also, I noticed you're currently registered as a "guest" but please consider signing up on the forum - we'd love to have you around
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Post by Deleted on Feb 21, 2015 23:05:21 GMT -5
Any news?
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Post by Alycia on Feb 22, 2015 0:42:05 GMT -5
he passed away!
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Post by Alycia on Feb 22, 2015 0:43:30 GMT -5
I also have a famake ferret and I'm afriad she might get depressed.
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