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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 15:44:49 GMT -5
We are on our way to a vet right now** it isn't our normal vet, Dr. Spindell is out if town so we're visiting another nearby clinic.
Jack suddenly became very lethargic this afternoon. He refuses to play. Doesn't want to be held. He refuses water and food. His gums and nose look slightly pale, not his normal red/pink, more of a pale pink. His resperations seem shallow, but I can't tell.
He hasn't been injured as far as i can tell. He had one ounce of chicken this morning at 0730, and has had free access to kibble since noon.
What is wrong with my baby??
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Post by Blue on Nov 30, 2015 16:22:04 GMT -5
That sounds bad, I'm glad you're on your way to the vet. Has he been to the bathroom at all? If not, this may indicate a blockage, in which case you'd want a barium x-ray and surgery  Good luck and let us know how it goes. I've been there. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 17:02:09 GMT -5
His poops have been normal, the best he's had since we brough him home. The vet is doing a BG and the tech just took his vital signs and history.
So we'll see how it goes! The vet said he's not especially worried; though I got a lecture about raw diets being poor a choice.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 17:22:52 GMT -5
Hoping he has just a little tummy ache from raw and kibble.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 17:26:09 GMT -5
I am not impressed with this vet. They seem to have a habit of addressing patients and giving patient instruction in the waiting room, rather than bringing them back to the office...
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Post by Blue on Nov 30, 2015 17:29:22 GMT -5
Glad to hear his poops are normal and that he's getting his BG checked. Let us know how it turns out!
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Post by Blue on Nov 30, 2015 17:32:32 GMT -5
I am not impressed with this vet. They seem to have a habit of addressing patients and giving patient instruction in the waiting room, rather than bringing them back to the office... Y'know, my vet does that, and I don't know why, it doesn't seem like a good idea, but he's great (he did blockage surgery on Maisie after hours), so don't let that put you off. Still, if they're against raw that might be a sign. |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 17:54:48 GMT -5
Jack's BG was low/normal at 63. His activity is improving. His breathing is a tiny bit heavy, but the Doc said that it didn't worry him. He cleared us to go home and just keep a tight eye on him and to call/come in if his condition suddenly worsens.
So that was that I suppose.
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Post by Blue on Nov 30, 2015 18:20:19 GMT -5
I'm glad Jack's OK, although 63 is pretty low. I'm tagging Heather and Sherry because this episode sounded pretty bad, and I don't know if that could all be ascribed to a low BG. In any case you're switching to raw, right? That should help his BG a lot. My Maisie used to have a BG hovering just below 80 (the cutoff), and now last time we checked it was 102 even though she hadn't eaten in 7h. I hope that low BG is all that it is, and that you'll be able to control it with diet. Good luck  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 30, 2015 19:08:44 GMT -5
Thank you guys so much; you've really helped me a lot! Having you guys as a supplemental resource makes me feel so much better. I've had experience with a sickie ferret. (I had a twelve week old baby with pneumonia pass away despite our efforts.) They go downhill so fast, it seems unreal and having a community that has been so welcoming and fast-responding is a blessing.
I'm not a fan of this vet and probably won't be returning unless I absolutely have to, but my usual is out of town until the 3rd and I didn't want to wait.
Honestly, I'm hoping it is just a little gastric distress and low BG. Jack was starting to perk up on the way to the office, seemed borderline normal while waiting and during his exam, and he looked even more active when we got home. He is resting comfortably now and his color is much improved.
He got his kibble as soon as we got home, and he pooped again as soon as we set him by his litter area. It looked like a normal bowel movement. I'm not going to give him the chicken tonight and see if his belly settles itself. We will have to see about restarting the raw transition tomorrow, maybe with soupy mix?
We will have to see...
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Post by Heather on Nov 30, 2015 23:30:49 GMT -5
I would consider a BG of 63 low and should be treated with pred or some other med to treat possible insulinoma. It might be that with extra feedings he's feeling better but I would want to have a follow up BG with the possible diagnosis of insulinoma.
ciao
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 1:58:40 GMT -5
Jack has another appointment with our regular vet as soon as he comes back, so he will definitely be watched like a hawk until then. I'll definitely bring that up with Dr. Spindell!
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 9:14:31 GMT -5
I'm sorry your vet doesn't support feeding raw. I was lucky enough to find one who is all for it as long as the ferret stays healthy, the closest thing to a lecture that I got was about making sure its balanced. It seems very unprofessional for a vet to give instruction in the waiting room (with people in it I'm assuming). The most they should be doing is giving light reminders like "a quarter of a pill every other day" or "I'll be checking in in a week!".
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Post by Sherry on Dec 1, 2015 10:57:02 GMT -5
90-120 is considered normal. 80-90 is a "low normal". 70-80 is suspicious and can be treated/regulated with diet alone. Below 70 is a confirmed diagnosis of insulinoma and pred needs to be started asap. In the interim frequent feedings until you see your regular.
Once there, the vet will likely want a 4 hour fast for another BG, as well as doing a CBC to check if anything else might be contributing to the low BG.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 1, 2015 16:02:43 GMT -5
Goodness, thanks Sherry! Glad I followed my instincts and hand fed him throughout last night. This afternoon and this morning, Jack seems to be perfectly normal. He's running around, playing, doking like he normally does.
Is there any way to check BG at home in the mean time? I will continue the supplemental feedings until we get word from our vet.
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