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Post by Klarissa on Jul 9, 2015 22:12:13 GMT -5
So my ferrets are caged only when I'm at work for a few hours at night when I'm at work. Otherwise they have a ferret proof room.
Tonight, I got home from work and changed the cage pee pad (new fuzzbutts, so like to keep a close eye on poops- easier with pee pads) full of normal ferret poops. I took them out; they danced, they played, they ate (Trixie even tried D new food), they peed... But Rocket and Trixie pooped...kinda? It was skinny and gross. Rocket also vomited fluid (before she ate). My ferret vet is on vacation, and the 24 hour clinic has taken $500 only to tell me she knows nothing about ferrets (didn't know HR, breathing, temp, etc) and sent me on my way for a referral the next day.
Since I got them I've checked their hydration every four hours (pink nose, pink gums, gums are wet not stick, tented scruff, etc), and I've started checking more frequently now (every 2 hours). I've been giving Vaseline every 2 hours as well. I don't have pumpkin ( I usually do for my dogs but one needed it recently and I haven't replaced it).
I've taken apart their entire room, top to bottom and inspected every tunnel, tube, blanket, and toy. None show any bite marks/chewing. I swept the room, and other than dirt/sand & some kibble, I found no leftovers from anything they may have ingested. I've contacted their previous owner repeatedly because 1) He hasn't sent over their vet records yet because when I picked up the fuzzies he was moving and 2) I want to ask him about bowel issues/laxative use/history of hairballs. I've called. I've texted. I've emailed.
I have no clue what could be causing a blockage. (My dog at 8 mos had $3000 GI surgery for a blockage after he escaped his crate so the thought of my fuzzbutts makes me nauseous).
They are 7 year old, females. They are incredibly underweight, and in a pretty rough way. I've palpated their abdomens (I'm pre-med and paranoid about my pooch who gets palpated twice a day, with a ferret diagram I'm pretty good) and can't feel anything other than their enormous pancreases. Other than their poop, they seem fine.
What else can I do for them?
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Post by Klarissa on Jul 9, 2015 22:37:40 GMT -5
Update: Now my third ferret Bear, is acting off. The three are curled up sleeping together. Bear didn't lay down for about 25 minutes after the first two, which is normal.
I took Bear to Petsmart the other day, maybe she contracted something there and brought it home?
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Post by FireAngel on Jul 9, 2015 23:11:28 GMT -5
I'm sorry I don't much insight for you here, I m still learning about medical stuff. I do know diet changes can cause and do cause poop changes, but I don't know enough about other reasons to feel comfy telling you that's it. I'll tag some excellent and extremely experienced ferrents for you though. Sherry Heather bitbyter @poncesmom Celene I'm sure one of these guys will be able to help you. Hope everything is ok with them. |
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Post by Klarissa on Jul 9, 2015 23:34:16 GMT -5
Thank you so much. I just caught Bear nudging Rocket, who was curled up and wouldn't move. I burst into tears and my husband went over and Rocket looked up like "what, I'm trying to sleep" so I guess Bear was just being a pest. It's going to be a long night staring them down thinking "poop. Poop. Poop. Poop."
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Post by Desiree on Jul 9, 2015 23:52:50 GMT -5
Start the protocol now. It's 1 Tbsp pumpkin (plain, you can get it in the baking aisle) wait an hour and than 1 tsp vaseline. Wait an hour and repeat till you see orange bright poops. Just saw the part where you did the protocol. Pumpkin helps to push things along. If there is a place open this late you need to get it. It acts as roughage.
If at any point, your ferret crashes or throws up, it is vet time. There is no other cure for a blockage that won't pass without surgery and you can lose a ferret that way. I would start them all on it since you aren't sure who ate what.
Start calling around now and see if there are any other vets open tonight that can take ferrets.
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Post by Heather on Jul 10, 2015 0:00:13 GMT -5
Did they eat their dinner? You mentioned one vomited? What did they spit up? Did you get a pic of the stools by any chance? Are they lethargic? Running a temp? You mention enlarged pancreas...pancreas or spleen?
Is it possible that they haven't eaten enough during the day? This too can cause vomiting, especially a frothy yellowish type vomit
ciao
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Post by katt on Jul 10, 2015 1:22:28 GMT -5
I'm a little suspicious that it's both at once, esp with nothing chewed up in be room. Can you tell us more - how long have you had them? What diet were they on before, what are they on now, and have there been any changes in diet? Any recent changes in routine? Are they lethargic, alert, drinking water?
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Post by Klarissa on Jul 10, 2015 9:39:08 GMT -5
Okay so, I was up until 2 am watching them, then had my husband check on them every 2 hours until 9am. After I have them all Vaseline and they went to bed, about 20 minutes later Bear was up an about. She spent 20 minutes stashing kibble, then I played with her for 45 minutes. She was clucking and her usual self. She pooped, it was like a smaller version of a normal poop, but not skinny. And she pooped again this morning (although my husband took away to poop before I could inspect). Trixie also got up last night to join the party, because what's better than Bear taunting my dogs than Bear and Trixie darting back & forth in front of the gate. She too pooped, smaller than usual, but not skinny. When I watched them last night they weren't straining to poop either. Rocket however, I'm less sure about. I kept her isolated in her cage with a pee pad & measured food and water. She only ate and sipped a little bit last night; normal urine output, and a small poop, but not skinny. She is 7 and always a bit slower, and she had dead slept before. But I caught Bear nudging Rocket HARD because Rocket wouldn't get up. When I went over and rubbed Rocket she looked at me a little dazed with a "what, I'm am sleeping" look... Maybe Bear doesn't know what dead sleep is? Or Bear knows something I don't. But Trixie and Rocket are a bonded pair, so you'd think Trixie would be the indicator if Rocket was in a bad way. About Rocket (because Bear and Trixie seem better now): I've had her for two weeks-ish (I didn't quarantine them when I got them I know thats inexcusable). She is 7 years old, and definitely shows her age much more. They were on a strictly Marshalls diet when I got them, but she has eagerly eaten the soup I've been giving her ( Stella & Chewy freeze dried raw meat, chicken, Salmon oil, egg yolk, kibble, water). Drinks water no problem. (And if she hears the bag of bandits they came with - but seldom get, she magically finds energy) No abdominal distension. No signs of pain when palpated. She has slept the a lot since I got her, but her owner also mentioned (many times) that she has been really showing her age. I've contacted the previous owner repeatedly for more info in her behavior but he won't return text/call/emails. So its hard to tell if she is more lethargic, or more tired because she is housed with Bear (4 years old, but acts like a kit). I frequently separate Rocket so she can get R&R in peace. I'm making breakfast soup now, so we will see how that goes. I have to go to the surgeons (one of my teeth extractions is infected  ) but other than that I'm home all day. So I can watch them closely. |
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Post by Sherry on Jul 10, 2015 10:47:09 GMT -5
I would definitely be vetting her. It does indeed sound like he may know something you don't.
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Post by Heather on Jul 10, 2015 13:10:42 GMT -5
I would be vetting. It could be something simple like adrenal where a DES implant and melatonin support will offer a new lease on life.
ciao
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Post by Klarissa on Jul 10, 2015 13:16:46 GMT -5
There is only one vet (my vet) where I live that deals with ferrets. I called a few others, and found one that deals with other small mammals.
I was told unless she shows signs of dehydration there is nothing they can really do for Rocket & I at this time. If she becomes dehydrated bring her in and they can give her a sub-q, and an X-ray, but if it is a blockage the only person who can remove it surgically is away.
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Post by Heather on Jul 10, 2015 13:21:05 GMT -5
If you go to do xrays make them take a barium. An xray for blockages is often inconclusive and you might as well not waste your money. Did they give you any indication as to when their surgeon would be back? If this is a blockage you don't have a lot of time to play with
ciao
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Post by Klarissa on Jul 10, 2015 13:24:36 GMT -5
I'm familiar with blockages ( my dachshund taught me an expensive and traumatizing lesson in that). I've got pumpkin & Vaseline, and water into her. She ate a bit of soup willingly.
The ferret vet is on vacation and comes back after the weekend. But Rocket is extremely malnourished; her spine, hips, and ribs are very visible. I've been trying to contact the previous owner but to no avail. So I have no clue if she has been under anesthesia before, for what, etc.
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Post by Heather on Jul 10, 2015 13:30:57 GMT -5
It's hard dealing with that type of "not knowing" but unfortunately very common in rescue * It's very frustrating. Are you hand feeding some type of soupy. This will help keep her hydrated and better able to survive surgery. Something like carnivore care works fantastically (you can syringe feed that stuff). I mix it with baby food. It's easily digested and seems to help maintain a sick ferret ciao |
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Post by Klarissa on Jul 10, 2015 14:04:50 GMT -5
Yeah, I'm trying to get oxbow CC, but they won't give it without seeing the animal, but they don't do ferrets (SUPER helpful). To be honest, I had surgery 2 weeks ago, and I've had complications and have to go back under next week. It was my wisdom teeth, I didn't anticipate having issues for something routine. So I'm trying to juggle my health and Rockets health & finances  Worst week ever. |
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