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Post by jarrett on Dec 4, 2018 18:34:47 GMT -5
Just got back from vet appointment! Unfortunately still don't know anything for certain. Vet gave him two injections, one a pain killer, and the other an antibiotic. He said if he's eating by tomorrow morning, its likely an ulcer or a tooth issue. If he's still not eating, I'll have to return tomorrow to perform an exploratory (now realizing I'm not sure what he meant by that, I think he meant either x ray or ultrasound) and assess for blockages. Vet told me that usually ferrets with blockages have some degree of vomiting, especially this many days in. He also said ferrets with ulcers (I think this was in regards to ulcers but I may have that mixed up), usually grind their teeth. I mentioned barium x rays and he said he usually doesn't do them because they are such a long process and also because if the ferret does have a blockage, it adds additional risk to the following surgery. He also reminded me that when we did blood work a couple weeks ago, Loki's liver enzymes were ever so slightly elevated. He didn't think it a cause for concern previously because of how minimal the elevation of these enzymes was, but suggested perhaps it might be a good idea to run some blood work again. I'm not nearly educated enough in veterinary medicine to have any real opinion on anything he's saying, so I'm essentially going on blind faith at this point. If anyone has a more educated opinion or any further information in regards to any of these details please feel free to share. For now, Loki after coming home took a few sips of water only to cough once, shake his head, and rub his face face-down on the carpet while doing a bit of digging. After this he looked at me like "this is bull," and ran up to bed. I'll update in the morning.
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Post by jarrett on Dec 4, 2018 18:36:49 GMT -5
Oh also, meant to ask, at this point should I be making a separate thread for the various sagas going on at my house? Realizing this may be a bit much for an introduction thread.
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Post by jarrett on Dec 5, 2018 8:34:30 GMT -5
Sorry, I was very tired by the time I got home yesterday. I don't think he meant id return to perform an exploratory, because after actually thinking I realized that of course meant surgery. He must've said something like that would follow an x ray/ultrasound if something was found in the gut. Long day yesterday.
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Post by Heather on Dec 5, 2018 12:56:57 GMT -5
Hmm, I would much rather run a barium as if the xray shows nothing it doesn't mean that there is nothing. A barium will show ulcers and any blockage. An xray can come back as a negative issue regarding a blockage (we've lost a number of ferrets to this issue on the forum and I've dealt with it myself). Often by the time the vet decides that it is a blockage the ferret is too weak to survive the surgery or worse the blockage has perforated the intestinal wall. A simple xray will also not show any ulcers that may be causing a concern. I do understand the issue of the length of time. The barium fluid is administered and then xrays are taken at specific times to follow the barium liquid through the system. It's a simple process but it does take time. The thing is that often with an xray if they see nothing they will then send you home with with various antibiotics and stomach meds and tell you to call them if there is no improvement in 24 or 48 hrs....with a barium, you know within 4 to 6 hrs the results. If it's ulcers there is usually a protocol of various antibiotics and a stomach med like carafate/sucralfate which is given and you will usually see vast improvements within 48 hrs. The meds must be given completely (usually 2 weeks) If this is the case do very close observations as I've found that most ferrets require a longer regime (usually about a month) to properly heal the ulcers. Good luck Please keep us posted ciao
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Post by jarrett on Dec 5, 2018 16:45:40 GMT -5
Ok so update, I left 12 hours worth of food in the enclosure last night around 8, and as of 8 this morning all was gone. When Loki wasn't eating, it would last almost 24 hours, so the fact that it lasted the normal 12 told me he was eating again. I was still worried though that somehow I could be mistaken, so I offered him pre-soaked kibble and he did in fact eat it. He's still got some degree of discomfort, seemingly in his mouth or esophagus, but at least he's even putting food in his mouth much less chewing and swallowing it. I called the vet and he said if the pain meds work it is likely something with Loki's teeth or gums, or perhaps an ulcer. He said if Loki is eating I didn't need to bring him in today, but now I'm wondering if I should've gone in anyway to be more certain and to get any necessary meds. I think the vet is reluctant to do anything drastic because he's away for a week starting Friday, and told me that if Loki stops eating again to go in and one of the other staff members can administer another round of painkillers to hold Loki over until the vet returns. Was this a bad idea? Loki has pooped for the first time in a couple days, still small, and quite dark, perhaps even tar-y. This concerns me more, but I'm trying to tell myself that its simply because he hasn't had any food in him in days. I'll call the vet in the morning just to re-touch all the bases and will update here as well!
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Post by jarrett on Dec 5, 2018 22:48:27 GMT -5
Latest update: Loki continues to eat, though still slightly slower than usual. Most recent poop was quite large, and very well formed, so it seems he's getting close to normal again. Will continue to update tomorrow after speaking to vet.
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Post by Heather on Dec 6, 2018 0:57:20 GMT -5
I'm glad that things are starting to look up and the antibiotics are starting to work <3 ciao
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Post by jarrett on Dec 6, 2018 8:26:58 GMT -5
Loki is still eating thank goodness. Not sure if it was the painkiller or he antibiotic that helped him, and will call vet to inquire towards that end. If antibiotics, it was an injection so I'm not sure what the follow up on that will look like. Want to get it figured out before the vet leaves town for a week. Any thoughts? PS thanks so much heather for lending your knowledge to this situation, it's been INCREDIBLY comforting! LOL. YOU ROCK!!!
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