|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2015 19:41:13 GMT -5
Sorry everyone I've had my hands full with 2 sick ferrets. We believe Heather was right, it's spinal thrombosis/neurological. Thank you for all of the links I have read each and every one and they were SO helpful. I started water therapy this afternoon and he on Carafate and Pred .5. Twice a day. Water therapy made him a little nervous because he can't walk but he'll come around, he LOVES water. After water therapy, he was really moving his back legs and feet. (Hates the drying part of a bath) He's eating like a pig and drinking. He can control his poops but not his pees. Lots of tummy wipes and puppy pads. I have him set up in his own cage at night which was the cage that came with him. (He was a rescue) It's one level and I move it to my bedroom at night just in case. He's free roam during the day, I'm home. He took off like a bullet this morning through the tubes. Feet dragging behind him. He took a couple of rests but he made it out. He's very frustrated that he can't stash his food and run around but I hope, with lots of love and therapy, he'll adjust. I've also dragged every carpet in my house to the living room bc I have hardwood floors which he really can't navigate at the moment. I tried playing with balls, plushies and cat toy on a stick but he wasn't interested. How do I stimulate/ entertain a ferret that can't walk? Any suggestions? I don't want him to get depressed. I carry him around with me from room to room. We look out the windows. It's freezing here so outside isn't an option until it gets warmer. Please let me know if there is anything other water therapy that may help him. I read about massages but not sure what/how to massage on a ferret. I just put him in my sink (I have a large deep sink) and had enough water to cover 3/4 of the way up his back. He just sat there. I wasn't sure if I should let him rest for a few days or should I make him move right away? abbeytheferret6 he was eating our favorite, Marshall's. It was promptly tossed. Otis went from kibble to bone overnight. I wish they were all that easy.. Sigh. I am so thankful for you guys and so Otis, Riot, Ty, Charlie and Linus!
|
|
|
Post by Blue on Feb 25, 2015 19:53:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2015 20:07:48 GMT -5
Thanks for the link! I'm going to try therapy with him and I'm hoping he may regain some movement in his hind legs. <----praying please let him walk again. Pretty please.
|
|
|
Post by FerretsnFalcons on Feb 25, 2015 20:09:54 GMT -5
I'm so glad he will be okay! It's kind of a crazy suggestion, but is it possible you could build a wheelchair for him? Here is a link I found for a DIY ferret wheelchair: link. You would still have to do physical therapy and such, but it would keep his feet from dragging on the floor and he could get around easier/quicker. Of course this would be supervision-only, and you'd probably have to get him used to it. He won't be able to get through tubes and he obviously couldn't climb over anything or move around in the cage, but you could maybe take him outside and let him wheel around in the grass, sidewalk, etc. (when it gets warmer outside, I mean) or around the house.
|
|
|
Post by FerretsnFalcons on Feb 25, 2015 20:10:41 GMT -5
Oh my goodness, Blue already beat me to the punch!!
|
|
|
Post by Blue on Feb 25, 2015 20:24:56 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by gfountain on Feb 25, 2015 20:25:30 GMT -5
Poor little Otis... This makes me so sad. He JUST learned how to do stairs! No more stashing in the basement Blue, it's not so amazing that Heather got it right. She's one of the most knowledgeable and experienced ferret owners on this forum. We call her the ferret whisperer behind her back. jerseygirl, I believe Heather has had at least 2 ferrets with this condition. Take her advice about how to treat him.
|
|
|
Post by ferretbrah on Feb 25, 2015 20:39:09 GMT -5
This is so sad. It's wonderful that he is not in pain though. What are the causes of this? A fall ?
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2015 21:05:24 GMT -5
I am so sorry, I will be saying a prayer, too for recovery.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2015 21:19:08 GMT -5
Honestly, ferretbrah I'm okay with it. It could have been SO much worse- spinal fracture, lymphoma, disc disease, brain tumors, etc. Otis should be able to gain back some if not most of his hind legs with a lot of therapy and love. He may walk funny but I don't care. I hope he's a fighter but if not I have enough fight for both of us. As long as he seems happy and can get around he will be okay. I'm sure he will teach me patience which I am in dire if need of these days or so my mom tells me gfountain I will certain listen to anything she has to say. I can't believe she knew right away. I never heard of it but my vet has seen it in cats and dogs. I'm so glad it's something I can work with and through. I've only had Otis a couple of weeks but he won my heart the first day. I just love ferrets, illnesses and all. At least he's on the same meds as Charlie - one for Charlie and one for Otis. abbeytheferret6. Thanks we are going to need it
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 25, 2015 21:22:39 GMT -5
Blue. Thank you! This is very helpful and encouraging.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Feb 26, 2015 2:43:05 GMT -5
Let me introduce you to Captain Jack. Captain Jack was one of my wee boys who suffered a spinal thrombosis. He was at the time of the videos being treated for cardiomyopathy and adrenal (DES) You will note his gait and the odd arch to his back. If you look closely at his coat, you can actually see where the clot occurred. I'm sorry about the quality of the videos but they're a few years old now, Jack's been gone for awhile. This is Jack playing with his eggies Captain Jack with his most favourite toy in the world. He wasn't allowed to keep it but he did get to play with it when he could be supervised ciao
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2015 11:46:51 GMT -5
Honestly, ferretbrah I'm okay with it. It could have been SO much worse- spinal fracture, lymphoma, disc disease, brain tumors, etc. Otis should be able to gain back some if not most of his hind legs with a lot of therapy and love. He may walk funny but I don't care. I hope he's a fighter but if not I have enough fight for both of us. As long as he seems happy and can get around he will be okay. I'm sure he will teach me patience which I am in dire if need of these days or so my mom tells me gfountain I will certain listen to anything she has to say. I can't believe she knew right away. I never heard of it but my vet has seen it in cats and dogs. I'm so glad it's something I can work with and through. I've only had Otis a couple of weeks but he won my heart the first day. I just love ferrets, illnesses and all. At least he's on the same meds as Charlie - one for Charlie and one for Otis. abbeytheferret6. Thanks we are going to need it Heather truly is a ferret whisperer. Add to that, she is sweet, smart and caring. I hope to be just like her, when I finally grow up.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Feb 26, 2015 12:10:43 GMT -5
Heather thank you. My vet also said Otis had a strange slight arch in his ex ray. Is this normal? Should I let him be for a couple of days or should I be doing water therapy daily? After his shot of Pred last night his legs and tail,were really moving. He still can't walk but there is plenty of movement which is encouraging. I'll try to get some video of him today. His legs just drag behind him. However, I set up a rug play area (I have hard wood floors throughout my house) and used the tubes to connect areas that aren't covered with rugs. They all played in the tunnels this morning and he loved it. When I let the gang out this morning each went to Otis and gave him a sniff and a kiss. It was adorable! Then they all ate together.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Feb 26, 2015 19:08:30 GMT -5
It seems to take a couple of days to get enough strength in their legs. What did the vet tell you about the exercises? I know I started passive exercises within a couple of days (moving legs and getting him to push against my hand). I'm sure doing hydra exercises would be fine as long as it doesn't stress him. Make sure the water is more than just "warm". Ferrets prefer their water temps a bit on the hotter side (remember their body temp is approx 102), so if it feels just warm to you it's cold for the ferret. This is often the reason for ferrets having a total spaz when put into the tub. I find my guys dance quite happily in my shower while it's running for me....so what is comfortable for me (hotter) they love too. Captain Jack had a raised or arched back. There was no hard spinal damage (damage to the vertebrae). It almost appeared to be the muscle contracting or perhaps him adjusting for a weakness. I can't remember entirely with Mayhem, but he did have the similar end gait. ciao
|
|