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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 14:04:25 GMT -5
I'm agreeing on Pred right now. Sherry, you've done all you can and Boris is just stressed! He misses his cagemate and his food tastes weird--he is worried and ill, and like a young child of course doesn't understand you are trying to help! The upside is Pediapred is fairly palatable to ferrets. Even if it is just to get his GI calmed down while he grieves over Sinnead, I think it will help. Pred is never a permanent thing if you can get him back on track with diet--use it as support if you have too. Pred can in fact be used just for situations like these--why my vet told me to go ahead and keep Paulie's bottle around even though we took him off it (just in case).
Boris has suffered some amazing stressers and any help you can give him to get back on his feet, he'll thank you for despite some side effects once he realizes he can eat food again. Also, if your vet is able to look into transdermal metro that may help--that stuff is /nasty/ and one of the few medicines Paulie will fight like poison.
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 15:22:33 GMT -5
As far as soups, he's always needed to be shown it's not toxic first which, I'll admit is one of the things I 'm concerned about with any meds, although I do realize I'll have to get them into him one way or another. So- how does everyone give their fuzz meds when they won't take soupies without being hand fed them, when it causes the ferret a lot of stress being hand fed? same for meds. Heather, I'll see about getting the CC from the vet. Right now, he will eat some meats on his own. For now, I'm going to stick with the bee f for a few days, see how he does. And for right now, he's decided he hates all oils The above reasons are why I'm so stressed about everything. Yes, I know the pred/carafate will help him, but when I can't get him to take anything for me, it's rather a moot point, even if his vet and I decide to go that route. Everything stresses him out, especially meds and me feeding him, making the IBD worse.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 16:23:25 GMT -5
I would oral syringe the pred. It is sugarless grape flavored and Paulie would give me a look like"ew" and then, "oh wait, that tastes sweet." He took it like a treat, so I used it to "treat" him after meals (weird, right?). I could tell you the generic I was prescribed if that helps. Different preds have different "flavors". He hated all other meds except banana flavored Rimadyl (pain) and molasses Baytril (antibiotic). He actually would take the amox last round, but it was hit or miss as to whether I would have to scruff and syringe or whether he'd take it. Some meds he could be encouraged with 'Tone or the like. I was never good at giving him Metro or Ferret Pepto. He hates those beyond reason and will vocally complain.
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 16:32:56 GMT -5
No, what I mean is he fights EVERYTHING ;D He won't take anything from a spoon or finger feeding, and least of all from a syringe. If I'm giving it to him, it's automatically bad. Can't scruff him without him twisting and crying out. Can't burrito wrap him for the same reason! He has GOT to be the most stubborn liitle creature I've ever seen. To get anything like that into him, he has to be wrapped tightly as in burrito wrapping, have to basically lay my upper body on him to control his body, hold his head still with one hand and try to get the med into him while also trying to hold his mouth closed so it doesn't come right back out again. THAT is why I'm so concerned.
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 17:06:14 GMT -5
Stubborn sucker! Some ferrets are the worst patients >_<. It looks like they also make a transdermal pred, but I wouldn't know if any vets prescribe it for ferrets. Transdermals you use a swab, finger cot, or syringe to put on the skin of their ears. Those would be my only other thought for lowering the stress level.
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 17:51:13 GMT -5
I didn't realize they also did pred transdermal! That would work well. I'll have to ask about it- thanks! And yeah- he's too stubborn for his own good
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Post by Deleted on May 19, 2011 17:59:45 GMT -5
I googled it, because I was curious, and although Paulie is annoyed with Metro in his ear, it sure beats the alternative administration of that nasty med.
And about tasting soups: Paulie still must taste from a spoon being held in my arms before he eats his dinner. Butthead! For anyone who has watched him, he just eats his food!! I think this is a desperate cry for more attention from the Paulster--but I would wish he'd just eat his dinner for his 9-10pm meals before I crash. These little guys are so kooky.
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 20:09:05 GMT -5
They are! Boris had to have the first spoon of soupies as well, but the commercial, he had to eat from my lap.
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Post by Heather on May 19, 2011 20:45:16 GMT -5
Yuri has been sitting on my lap and eating dinner since Napoleon's death He just won't eat on his own. He started to eat a bit last week and then Minion had to go in for surgery. Today I had to scruff him to get him to eat again. Minion can't go back in the cage with him for another couple of days. I have been allowing them some out time together but it's not the same. I think that he believes that all his friends always go and leave him alone . You're dealing with this same thing with Boris. He hasn't found a replacement for his best friend and it takes just too much effort to work it out. ciao
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 19, 2011 20:47:45 GMT -5
Sherry can you ask your vet if he can research some other antibiotics? i remember that we tried so many different antibiotics and the only one that worked was chloramphenicol. as for the spoon feeding...I am so ashamed. Sonny is 10 months old. he is healthy (knock on wood). and i feed him raw mush with a spoon while he sits on my lap.... I know i don't have to but he likes it and i kind of like it too...he's my baby
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Post by Heather on May 19, 2011 20:53:36 GMT -5
There's nothing wrong with that. That's preparation....inevitably you're going to be doing just that. Its far better to have them learn that it can be a pleasurable experience than fighting with them all the way when they're sick. The battle is twice as hard if you;re trying to teach them to eat that way and fighting with them because they're sick and don't want to eat ciao
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 19, 2011 20:58:00 GMT -5
yes i know, i've syringe fed too many ferrets in my life. this is why i make him soupies at night. at least he'll be used to it.
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 22:14:05 GMT -5
For right now, miamiferret, I don't want to have to give him anything I don't have to. I don't know if you read back any, but I described what we go through every single time I have to give him any meds. It's the same for trying to feed him It's in reply #18
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Post by miamiferret2 on May 19, 2011 22:26:10 GMT -5
I must admit I hate antibiotics. You must be very frustrated. I remember the feeling all too well...Do you hear gurgly sounds in his stomach? Is he gassy?
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Post by Sherry on May 19, 2011 22:33:19 GMT -5
No, and he's eating some meats fine on his own now. But he can't have the majority of animals that contain edible bone. And yes- I AM frustrated. And worried. No, no gurgling, not gassy at all. In fact, other than the sleeping, and the diarrhea, and the weight loss, he sounds normal. Although even the weight loss has evened off at 860 grams.
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