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Post by shayla on Aug 29, 2018 12:52:48 GMT -5
Hello, My male ferret just turned a year old on Monday and I've been noticing him getting thinner and thinner. I figured it may have just been because he was shedding since his personality hasn't changed. As of yesterday I asked my husband if he thought Kingsley was looking a bit too thin now, he agreed. I watched him into today and all he did was sniff the food and drink water, he didn't actually eat. Today I made some Orijen kibble soupie and forced him to eat some. He was a little reluctant but had a very small bit. About 10 minutes later I heard someone heaving beside the couch so I went to have a look and he ended up throwing up all the soupie he had eaten. I have been really good with feeding him pure pumpkin and brushing him during shedding, so I don't believe it's a blockage but I decided to try and feed him some pumpkin (just a couple minutes before writing this) and watch his poops. I've already called my vet to get her professional opinion but she doesn't have an opening till next Wednesday. They said they would call me if there's a cancellation. There's been no change in our lifestyle, no change in diet, nothing. He's acting pretty much the same way he always does except he seems to be getting bored a little easier if you're not constantly playing with him he will go fall asleep under my bed while the girls explore. I'll attach a couple pictures of him; before this he has always been a rather large boy. Even our vet had us watch him for being overeating in the past.
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Post by unclejoe on Aug 29, 2018 15:33:04 GMT -5
Hi. I don't think he looks bad at all. Ferret males are usually at their biggest during their first season. Our Yoshi had a huge blubbery belly when he was 5 months old and weighed nearly 4 lb. The following 6 months he lost over a lb and settled around 2 3/4-3 lb for the next 5 years.
Our Scamp, a Real Canadian, looks skinny but he is 3 lb of muscle and attitude.
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Post by shayla on Aug 29, 2018 16:05:59 GMT -5
thank you unclejoe that's really comforting to hear I don't mind if he becomes a skinny boy, as long as he's healthy
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Post by shayla on Aug 31, 2018 15:23:27 GMT -5
Update: I'm still worried, I keep seeing him try to poop but nothing but a dime sized mucusey dot is left over.
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Post by caitmonster on Aug 31, 2018 15:41:54 GMT -5
Has he eaten since your first post? The fact that he wasn't interested in food, and later threw up, is concerning... if there are any emergency vets in your area I would strongly suggest trying to get him in as as you can.
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Post by unclejoe on Aug 31, 2018 15:54:11 GMT -5
Update: I'm still worried, I keep seeing him try to poop but nothing but a dime sized mucusey dot is left over. Well that's not good. But if he's not eating he wouldn't poop. Can you feel any lumps in his belly that could be a blockage? Does your vet have saturday hours? If you're that concerned, you could go in and say you have an emergency. Get an x-ray or ultarsound. Good luck
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Aug 31, 2018 20:53:23 GMT -5
Oh yeah, I would go to the vet.
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Post by Charlie on Aug 31, 2018 23:48:03 GMT -5
Yea, if he's trying to poop and nothing but mucusy stuff is coming out that's not very good. I hope you can get him in sooner then later.
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Post by shayla on Sept 1, 2018 12:47:43 GMT -5
Hello, I am very worried. I did catch him eating once since then. I still haven't seen him have a normal poop. He's acting normal outside of struggling to poop, but I think I may have seen a small bit of blood in the mucus.
My vet just semi-retired and only works Wednesdays; her apprentice is in the rest of the week but I worry he doesn't know what he's talking about when it comes to ferrets as I told him my rescue had mites twice and both times he checked he said he was clear. I knew he wasn't so I brought him into MY vet on a wednesday and she diagnosed him immediately confirming the ear mites.
I already have the appointment but I don't feel comfortable waiting that long.. I don't know if any other vets in my area are as ferret experienced as Dr.Prus though..
I'm completely torn on what to do.
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Post by shayla on Sept 1, 2018 13:23:30 GMT -5
I found a hospital that will take him in one hour. They claim to be ferret experienced so .. I really hope it goes well. I'll make an update when the visit is done.
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Post by Heather on Sept 1, 2018 14:22:35 GMT -5
Good luck. This sounds like a blockage. A barium xray would be my suggestion. Please keep us posted ciao
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Post by shayla on Sept 1, 2018 16:47:30 GMT -5
Finished up at the vet, we took an X-ray and it came back clear. He pooped up some of his mucusy stool so we sent it off for testing. It's a long weekend here so I probably won't get any results till Tuesday.
The vet thinks it may be some sort if intestinal infection, parasite, or ECE. We are putting him on some medications (Ranitidine and Baytril). They gave him some fluids and sent us on our way. We are trying symptomatic approach currently while we wait for the test results and if he's not showing any signs of improvement she recommended an ultrasound.
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Post by unclejoe on Sept 1, 2018 17:07:48 GMT -5
I hope it turns out ok. At least the antibiotics won't hurt and may help.
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Post by abbeytheferret6 on Sept 2, 2018 7:42:14 GMT -5
If you haven't already done so.
If there is an exotic vet in your area---I would go there as first choice. I know my exotic vet takes emergencies--it may cost a little more but worth the life of ferret.
You could call any vet too and asked where you could take your ferret for an emergency call. They should have knowledge.
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Post by shayla on Sept 2, 2018 9:07:57 GMT -5
the vet I went to was for exotics
I found him throwing up white just now.. I’m thinking the vet was wrong and it’s a blockage of hair or something.
All vets are closed for the long weekend aside from a 24 hour hospital a couple cities away. I’ve called them and the lady who answers the phone claims there’s no one ferret experienced, she barely listened to what i was asking her though so I’m not sure if it’s true.
Once again.. I’m lost. I do have money put away for my little guys but I’ve taken a huge chunk out for his vet visit yesterday (upwards of $500). I’m scared to drag him to people who don’t know what they’re talking about then be too broke to actually help him..
I also asked, incase it came to it, if there are any surgeons in that can work on smaller animals. She said there aren’t any in the lower mainland but the surgeons have all gone to school and practiced. No surgeon will be in until Tuesday.
I’m .. totally lost.
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