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Post by LindaM on May 30, 2017 17:13:18 GMT -5
Oh no, poor wee baby. We will keep you guys in our thoughts and prayers.
Please keep us updated on how little Scout does.
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Post by Heather on May 30, 2017 17:38:10 GMT -5
Has this little one been tested for heart worm? Could it be a pulmonary embolism....Katt? Can you help with this at all. What blood work has been done? Is he anaemic? ciao
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Post by katt on May 30, 2017 17:57:17 GMT -5
Has he had any trauma recently? Anything in his cage or play space he could have fallen from? Stepped on? Tumors?
Are they draining the blood?
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 18:18:53 GMT -5
He hasn't been tested for worms yet.. and the vet updated us again, she said it wasn't a lot of blood, and it must have just came from his inflamed lungs. I wish the vet would also give us answers herself instead of having the receptionist to talk. (Scout's Dad speaking: Hello! I want to extend a heart warming thank you for those helping us during these hard times. I'm only adding information, that was left out, because I was the one that received the phone call from the doctor, where as OP got it from the receptionist. So, there was a minuscule amount of blood found within his lung, the fluid(caused by the inflammation?) contained a large amount of white blood cells.(Probably to fight the infection?) Once they drained the fluid, he responded positively and was able to breath better, however afterwards his breathing became more labored again.(I can only assume that the fluid began to build up again) At the moment, they don't know exactly how to stop the inflammation of the lung and he has a fever slightly above 104. (I think it was 104.7 but don't quote me on that) I have a strong suspicion that it's pneumonia, and right now they are saying they can only treat what's treatable. So, he's taking a plethora of antibiotics, we are just hoping that it's a bacterial infection and not a viral. If any one has any input to the situation, we would gladly appreciate it. Also, what do you think caused the lung to get inflamed in the first place? The only indication that we linked was the regurgitation Thanks again! We are praying for the little guy.)
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Post by katt on May 30, 2017 19:14:19 GMT -5
That is a huge relief that the blood was only minor. He's still not out of the woods though. Poor baby. Can they give him breathing treatments in the clinic?
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Post by Deleted on May 30, 2017 19:28:26 GMT -5
Scouts Dad: I think they have him on oxygen, but I'm not too sure. Would the breathing treatments be similar to what humans use for asthma? And they are closed at the moment, one of the doctor's took scout home to monitor him more closely, so we would have to relay the information first thing in the morning. Thanks Katt for the input!
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Post by katt on May 30, 2017 19:49:12 GMT -5
Scouts Dad: I think they have him on oxygen, but I'm not too sure. Would the breathing treatments be similar to what humans use for asthma? And they are closed at the moment, one of the doctor's took scout home to monitor him more closely, so we would have to relay the information first thing in the morning. Thanks Katt for the input! I'm glad they will be watching him. <3 Yes, breathing treatments can help to open tight/inflamed airways. Oxygen is good. Steam baths might help too once you guys get him home. Please keep us posted. Scout looks so much like my little Kenai who died in October - he's really pulling at my heart strings. I'll keep you guys in my thoughts. Hopefully the treatments help. Poor little fuzzard.
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Post by unclejoe on May 30, 2017 20:33:14 GMT -5
I'm glad he went home with someone. Breathing treatments could be steroids to reduce inflammation, or to reduce fluid buildup/production. antibiotics are a good idea too. still hoping for good outcome.
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Post by FireAngel on May 30, 2017 21:11:50 GMT -5
I'm so sorry to hear about the little one, I'm glad he went home with the vet tonight. To answer your question on possible causes, it is possible this is an aspiration pneumonia contracted from when he was vomiting a few weeks ago. Ferrets are amazing at hiding things from us until it is pretty advanced. They can also get sick just like we do, has anyone in the household had a cough or upper respiratory infection in the last few weeks? Ferrets can not get the generic human cold from us but they can get other things. Wishing you guys the best.
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Post by Heather on May 30, 2017 23:38:31 GMT -5
Bacchus was diagnosed with aspirate pneumonia. He was given antibiotics as well as pred to reduce inflammation. I created a steam tent for my guy but oxygen and having the fluid drawn off would certainly help a great deal. At least he is responding to treatments. We will be thinking of you and your little one. His healing candle continues to burn brightly. Good luck ciao
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2017 6:12:29 GMT -5
Scouts dad: Thank you for all the wonderful suggestions! I do believe oxygen/breathing treatments is a good idea, I will suggest it as soon as they open. I'm sorry to hear about your little fuzzball Katt Thank you for clarifying, Angel, my suspicions were correct in regards to how he developed the pneumonia. I'm glad that the treatments they are conducting resonate, with the advice given! And lastly, thank you, Heather for your well needed input. If anyone could explain how this steam tent was made, or if you could point me in the right direction, I could try emulating your ingenious technique! Unfortunately, I'm pretty ignorant, when it comes to ferret health and treatment, so we are very thankful for you, ladies and gents, holding our hands every step of the way! We will update as soon as the doctor's place opens, but until then, fingers crossed! 🤞
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2017 7:36:32 GMT -5
Scout's Dad: //Update// The doctor said that scout is breathing better and his fever has come down since this morning(Guessing there is still some fluid build up in the lungs that they don't know the reason why it keeps doing it. My hypothesis would be this(Though I'm not a doctor): The infection was caused by the aspiration, which caused the pneumonia. I believe that was the unanimous decision from the forum and the doctor, and the pneumonia caused the lung to be inflamed. The inflammation caused the alveoli to not function properly and fluid to build up (pleural effusion or pleurisy?) Our only cause for worry is, as long as the lung is still inflamed, fluid will continue to build back up.) We were given two options by the doctor, since scout has been getting better, just doesn't have much of an appetite. We can leave him in the doctor's care or take him home and care for him ourselves, she said if anything goes south, we can always take him back. But they would give us the same antibiotics he's receiving there. The doctor had to prematurely hang up for a meeting, so I wasn't able to ask about the breathing treatments, however I will once she is able to speak again. Thanks for all the help, you all have been a blessing! I will continue the update soon.
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Post by Sherry on May 31, 2017 9:15:29 GMT -5
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Post by Heather on May 31, 2017 16:03:53 GMT -5
My set up wasn't near as good or as efficient as this. All I did was jury rig my hospital cage (which is a double top opening) Kaytee cage, put a sheet over it. I then took an electric tea pot warmer put it beside the tent. Boiled some water, placed it in a metal bowl (pot can be used), set that on the cup warmer, took clothes pegs and set sheet over the bowl but not touching it while still covering the cage. This allowed the steam to rise into the cage, creating a steam cage. The cup warmer would allow this to stay reasonably warm and supplying steam for 3 or 4 hrs before refilling and repeating the process. It kept the cage moist enough to help Bacchus breathe easier and kept him warm. The same process that you do when creating a steam room in the bathroom, just smaller and more efficient....just not very pretty ciao
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Post by Deleted on May 31, 2017 17:52:42 GMT -5
My set up wasn't near as good or as efficient as this. All I did was jury rig my hospital cage (which is a double top opening) Kaytee cage, put a sheet over it. I then took an electric tea pot warmer put it beside the tent. Boiled some water, placed it in a metal bowl (pot can be used), set that on the cup warmer, took clothes pegs and set sheet over the bowl but not touching it while still covering the cage. This allowed the steam to rise into the cage, creating a steam cage. The cup warmer would allow this to stay reasonably warm and supplying steam for 3 or 4 hrs before refilling and repeating the process. It kept the cage moist enough to help Bacchus breathe easier and kept him warm. The same process that you do when creating a steam room in the bathroom, just smaller and more efficient....just not very pretty ciao Thank you very much for showing us how to make a steam room. Seems very doable! We will definitely try this out for Scout. Today we have decided to take Scout home with us. His breathing has improved, and since having him on ice packs and giving his medicine, his temperature has gone down from 105.7 (this mornings temperature with the vet) to 101.5 just now. Scouts whistling noise through his nose is no longer present when he is awake, but when he sleeps his nose still makes the whistling sound, not as loud, but it's pretty obvious it's a whistling sound. The vet says Scouts lungs may be filled with fluid again, and she thinks this is viral instead of bacterial. I'm uncertain as to which it is to be honest, I'm hoping it isn't viral, for some reason I feel it maybe bacterial. Isn't viral mainly from other people who are sick? No one in the home was sick... so to me it doesn't make sense... all we are doing now is tending to him, letting him sleep, ice packs and showing him lots of love and affection. We will update again soon.
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