|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2015 0:26:07 GMT -5
Merman seems to be having some problems breathing through his nose....I woke him up a little bit ago and he let out a cough that reminded me of a duck. He isn't sneezing, he just sounds really congested. I noticed he hadn't eaten much throughout the day and when I tried to give him a bit of kibble 2 times and each time he gagged and then stashed the pieces in his litter box.... He just started eating a little, but he is letting out heavy breaths through his mouth and he just had a really bad coughing fit. He almost choked on his food twice. I took his food away and am now scared to leave it with him when we go to bed. He is still playing as usual. He's currently trying to break into one of our closets, but he's scaring me with the coughing. If we pick him up he will let out a cough and it's really unsettling.....  |
|
|
|
Post by unclejoe on Dec 20, 2015 8:22:17 GMT -5
I sounds like a cold/flu. Most times they get over it on their own.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Dec 20, 2015 11:59:14 GMT -5
He does sound like he may have developed either the flu or a URI. Try feeding him a warm soup, hand feed if necessary. Also taking him into a steamy bathroom just to let him wander in the humidity will help unclog him. I would also vet just to be sure you ARE dealing with a flu and not a URI, which needs antibiotics. An xray will be needed to discover pneumonia(can develop from flu)
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 20, 2015 14:21:34 GMT -5
What kind of warm soup?
The coughing has stopped completely. He has his appetite back too luckily. He was wondering around this morning like last night hadn't happened at all. I can still tell his nose is a bit stuffed because when he licks himself or eats he makes little sigh-like breathing noises.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Dec 21, 2015 11:23:30 GMT -5
He may just have gotten a bit of fluff or something in his nose then. As for soup, I use raw. If you kibble feed cover the kibble in hot water, and let sit for about 30 minutes then puree. You can feed this warmed up. It is a good idea to have them used to a soup of some sort for when they get sick.
You can also cook some chicken up, and puree that if he isn't eating any raw.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2015 11:32:19 GMT -5
Ok thank you!  Yeah, he hasn't coughed or let out heavy breaths while eating/licking since that night. My boyfriend and I are happy because he scared both of us so bad that night. I was on the verge of tears and when he started choking my boyfriend yelled, "What do I do?!?!?!" We panicked so bad. lol. I have the ferret Heimlich post bookmarked for future reference.  |
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Dec 21, 2015 11:34:56 GMT -5
If he DOES get congested at some point, it really isn't an emergency. The flu lasts about 3 weeks with them, which is why there is a higher risk of pneumonia. Warm soups and steamy bathrooms or humidifiers help a lot. Just making sure that he keeps eating, even if it is less.
If it appears to be getting worse then take him in and have an xray done.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Dec 21, 2015 12:54:36 GMT -5
3 weeks?!  Oh my gosh! I would hate to be a ferret! Ok, i'm going to continue supervising him carefully. The little guy has enough going on with him right now.  His albon is almost gone and it didn't do much to help him out with his poops. So, he will already be going back to the vet in a couple weeks. |
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Dec 22, 2015 11:17:36 GMT -5
Touch wood in almost a decade of owning ferrets, in spite of having had the flu several times not once have they gotten it. If you take precautions if you even think you only have a cold you drastically reduce their chances of getting it(and maybe passing it back to you again).
Strict hand washing, lots of it.
NO kisses and interactions kept to a minimum even if this means they spend some days in their cage.
When I have to transport them from point a to point b, hands are washed thoroughly first and they come no higher than waist level until put into the cage.
|
|
