Boris, size, and IBD...update

[Sherry]

Here is my concern, I took a couple of pics this morning. If you can believe it, he's extremely active, eating well, and is at his normal summer weight. His stools aren't overly bad, with the supplements(reishi, probiotics, pumpkin). He's showing no signs of tummy aches, upsets, nausea, nothing. But he's THIN looking, even if he hasn't lost any weight. He's muscled(wiry, but not squishy at all). He can still jump as high and far as before. Still spazzes out:




Now compare it to his size about 3-4 months ago, when he got his winter weight on, before the IBD started up

[Deleted]

Could it be seasonal weight loss?

With his IBD I'd consider a vet visit.

[Deleted]

You said his stools aren't bad - can you get a stool sample done cheap to check for parasites.

I was thinking worms but then read the response to this question

en.allexperts.com/q/Ferrets-2277/FERRETS-WORMS.htm

States ferrets can't get worms..

[sherik]

I'm thinking seasonal weight loss myself. He doesn't look ill in those pictures. He just looks like a really long ferret.

[joclyn]

last pic shows yellow fur along his spine - i'd say adrenal disease is present.

ibd symptoms are, from what i understand, extremely rare in raw-fed ferrets and he's been raw fed all his life, right?

has to be some other reason for this situation...both the ibd and the change to his structure. it's been stated (on fhl, iirc) that ibd is actually a symptom of adrenal disease.

digestive issues will cause problems with nutrients being absorbed. carafate can help with that as it coats the stomach to deal with excess acids and that, in turn, helps to process the food better so that, when it hits the intestines it's being utilized to its fullest. some prilosec might also be something to add in also to help combat excess acid/gas. not sure how you are with using meds, though, or if there's things comparable from a holistic standpoint...

[Deleted]

I'm pretty sure the yellow fur is normal. Almost all ferrets have some yellowing. I'd avoid using carafate, because it can block absorption of nutrients.

[sherik]

I was just going to say. I have a 6 month old who is yellow. He is nt adrenal.

[Deleted]

Yeah, my baby Trixie is 1 yr old and always has a bit of yellow.

[joclyn]

adrenal can happen that young.

[Deleted]

I'm not saying adrenal can't happen young. I'm more so saying that yellow fur isn't a tell tale sign of adrenal. Most ferrets, both adrenal and not, have yellow fur :-)

The connection between adrenal and yellow fur is anecdotal, and is simply a correlation. Yellow fur can be caused by increase in hormone production, but it is also more commonly related to oil secretion and season changes.

[Deleted]

The yellowing of fur in itself is not a pure indicator of adrenal disease by itself - it's a result of oil build-up on the fur. However, it does reflect hormonal activity. Most ferrets have yellow undercoats because most ferret are experiencing hormonal activity whether or not they are neutered. Remerber, adrenal activity has been confirmed in ferrets as early as 8 months old. Most people do not test for adrenal disease until they notice clinical signs. SO, a lot of ferrets that are consiered to "not have adrenal disease" may indeeed be affected but not showing overt symptoms.

I do agree that Boris has a moderate to high chance of being adrenal. IBD/digestive upset is common with higher levels of hormonal activity, especially if the onset is later in life. in addition, muscle loss is common with development of a pot-bellied appearance.

Adrenal disease does not make a ferret lethargic until the disease is more advanced. In fact, I diagnose my ferrets by behavior....before the over-grooming happens, I notice and INCREASE in engery levels. (Frenetic little brats).

-jennifer

[Sherry]

I can certainly talk to the vet about it. I take the other three in this weekend for their shots. As for his amber undercoat- he's had that every winter since he was switched to raw at 9 months of age. No pot belly. Good to know some become MORE active, Jennifer. His muscles have become...leaner. Not wasted like the others, but more wiry, if you know what I mean.
He has none of the other signs as of yet. No overgrooming, no aggression, fur loss or anything else for that matter, which is why I'd never even considered adrenal being a possibility.
I do know the IBD developed when I switched them all to commercial raw in the mornings. He's never been fond of ground once he got onto chunks, so it took a bit to convince him, and it still does with new meats.

[Deleted]

Let us know how it goes.

So Boris didn't have IBD when on chunks/ bone-in meats?

[Deleted]

You may want to try going back to meat chunks to see if the IBD goes away if it seemed to start up with the commercial food. It is possible that the commercial food is bothering him, so he's eating less and losing some nutrition from the IBD. His fur does not look as luxurious as usual...he may simly be no t absorbing his food as well. some enzymes would help with that whether or not his issue his weight loss is related to food change or IBD.

-jennifer

[Sherry]

That's right, Jackie. He had no problems prior to the commercial.
Ok. How long do you think the frankenprey should be trialed for? I'm thinking a month should give me a much better idea, and it won't be a long enough time to cause Lucrezia a prolapse again because that little so and so is really lazy with bone