Stepped on ferret. Yes one of these posts....

[Heathurr]

Hey everyone. Long time reader of these forums. Just now getting around to signing up. While I wait for registration to be confirmed, I'll post here.
This morning my two fuzzies were out to play and as I was stepping over something...my little guy Beck (5 months) decided to do a Tazmanian Devil spin/leap at the last second under my foot as I was stepping down. Needless to say...he got it good. He screamed pretty loud and hid immediately afterwards.
I honestly didnt think I'd find him in one piece after that.
After I frantically searched for him and found him...I did a light squeeze test and watched him walk around a little. He wasnt dragging anything or limping...maybe a SLIGHTTT hobble if I'm being paranoid.
While walking around...he found a bag of his favorite kibble, so I put some on the floor and he started eating it. Then drank some water. But after that he kept just wanting to hide back in his sleep spot. Every time I took him out...back he went. My other ferret did the same thing when she got hurt awhile back.
I brought him to the closest vet near me shortly after...unfortunately we dont have an exotic animal vet near here...so I have to just HOPE the vet knows what hes doing with him.
He looked at him and said he was gonna keep him for the day and to check back later. A little frustrating on my end because I wanted an xray done right then and there.
I finally got a hold of him about 4 hrs later and he said that the xray showed nothing broken.
I asked if xrays would show internal bleeding and he said yes. Is this correct?
Since theres nothing...I'm going to pick him up now.
My questions are this...
-because this vet isnt specialized in ferrets, should I bring my little guy to an exotic vet for a 2nd opinion? The closest one is almost 2 hrs away, but I would.
-do xrays really show internal bleeding and/or organ and muscle damage?
-he said he'd be giving me pain killers. Can someone confirm the name and amt of med I should be expecting to get?
This vet has given me a prescription for my dog before that seemed way too high, so I lowered it myself. That's why I'd just like to know what I should be expecting.
Thanks in advance for any info you can share. It's been a super stressful day. I feel terrible and wish this just never happened.

[unclejoe]

Hi, and welcome to the group. I'm sorry for your little one, but accidents do happen.
Ferrets are incredibly resilient to trauma,and if he's acting ok and eating he may be just fine. An x-ray could show a build-up of fluid, such as blood, more than other type fluids, I believe.
One pain reliever is Buprenorphine. It is an opioid narcotic, and I'm not sure I'd want to give it if your ferret isn't in obvious pain. It will tend to knock him out.
www.merckvetmanual.com/pharmacology/systemic-pharmacotherapeutics-of-the-nervous-system/tranquilizers,-sedatives,-and-analgesics?qt=Analgesics%20for%20Use%20in%20ferrets&alt=sh

[Heathurr]

Thanks for your response.
Resilient is right. With how hard I came down...I was really worried he met his end. I'm honestly shocked (but overjoyed) that there was no big issues.
I went early to pick him up from the vet. I didnt see a point in him being there if nothing is broken.
I was a little annoyed that the front desk girls said they were taking turns holding him all day. This is exactly why I picked him up asap.
I brought him home after a quiet car ride and he seemed to perk up a little once we got to his room. He took a poop (no blood) and drank some water. He's currently in his sleep spot in the box spring mattress, most likely licking my other ferrets ear off. I heard them jostling around.
The vet prescribed carprofen, a quarter tab, once a day. I dont see much online about this usage for ferrets. I was going to hold off on giving it to him and was disappointed to see on my bill that he had given him an injection of it already.
Wouldve been nice to confirm that with me first. Sigh. What a day.
Anyone have insight on if I should follow thru with the Carprofen? Or just let him sleep it off for a week?

[unclejoe]

If you expand that chart I linked, under Dosages of Analgesics, Carpofen (Gabapentin) is not listed under ferrets, but it's under dogs, cats, rabbits, horses and pigs. I would ask my vet to verify that it's safe for ferrets before I gave it.
My ex once stepped on Frank (DIP).  I only found out because he was bleeding out his rectum.  I rushed him to the vet who did and x-ray and found nothing broken, no internal bleeding.  Gave him carafate for a few days and he was fine.