| I'm Back - With A Problem - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| Irish Jo |
Hi, guys - it's me, Irish Jo, with a new address. Been out of circulation a
while (working long hours, PC problems, blah, blah), but all was well until
today. Something's wrong with Seamus. He's been quiet the past few days,
but it's not uncommon for him to go through active and inactive extremes.
Today he just wasn't right when we went to let he and Kiwi out for their
evening run. He was very snuggly, and took a treat eagerly, but when we put
him down we could see an obvious problem with his hindquarters - very wobbly
and weak. He's eating, drinking, and pooping normally. Seems very alert,
if a little 'distracted'. But just can't seem to get the back legs working
right. It was after reg. hours for the vet, but I'll call at the crack of
dawn and get him in there in the morning. He seems comfortable, and our
emergency vet center knows nothing about ferrets.
Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but negative after
that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing great
in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the house (a
long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign of
injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
Thanks,
Joanne
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| Gar & Dar |
My first thought was insulinoma, having lost one to that.
Definitely he needs to be checked out, those two factors you
mention, appears distracted and wobbly legs flag me, but,
it has got to be something serious with symptoms like that.
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
> Hi, guys - it's me, Irish Jo, with a new address. Been out of circulation
> a while (working long hours, PC problems, blah, blah), but all was well
> until today. Something's wrong with Seamus. He's been quiet the past few
> days, but it's not uncommon for him to go through active and inactive
> extremes. Today he just wasn't right when we went to let he and Kiwi out
> for their evening run. He was very snuggly, and took a treat eagerly, but
> when we put him down we could see an obvious problem with his
> hindquarters - very wobbly and weak. He's eating, drinking, and pooping
> normally. Seems very alert, if a little 'distracted'. But just can't
> seem to get the back legs working right. It was after reg. hours for the
> vet, but I'll call at the crack of dawn and get him in there in the
> morning. He seems comfortable, and our emergency vet center knows nothing
> about ferrets.
>
> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but negative after
> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing great
> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the house
> (a long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign
> of injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>
> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
> Thanks,
> Joanne
>
>
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| Nanny |
I'd say insulinoma, so off to the vet with him.......
Nanny
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> schreef in bericht
news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
> Hi, guys - it's me, Irish Jo, with a new address. Been out of circulation
a
> while (working long hours, PC problems, blah, blah), but all was well
until
> today. Something's wrong with Seamus. He's been quiet the past few days,
> but it's not uncommon for him to go through active and inactive extremes.
> Today he just wasn't right when we went to let he and Kiwi out for their
> evening run. He was very snuggly, and took a treat eagerly, but when we
put
> him down we could see an obvious problem with his hindquarters - very
wobbly
> and weak. He's eating, drinking, and pooping normally. Seems very alert,
> if a little 'distracted'. But just can't seem to get the back legs
working
> right. It was after reg. hours for the vet, but I'll call at the crack of
> dawn and get him in there in the morning. He seems comfortable, and our
> emergency vet center knows nothing about ferrets.
>
> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but negative after
> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing great
> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the house
(a
> long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign of
> injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>
> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
> Thanks,
> Joanne
>
>
>
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
Hi Joanne,
It's been ages since I've seen you around here. ;-) It really is hard to
believe your kids are going to be 5 this year. Time has just flown by. I
can remember when you first got the little buggers. I'd have to agree with
the others...with his age and the fact that you said he was "distracted",
I'd go with insulinoma. :( In any case I'll be thinking good thoughts for
you and for Seamus. So how's Kiwi?
Holly
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
><snip> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but negative
after
> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing great
> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the house
(a
> long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign of
> injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>
> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
> Thanks,
> Joanne
>
>
>
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| Irish Jo |
Kiwi's doing great - just as feisty as ever. Bites everyone but me! Her
one back leg has gotten a little weaker (or she's just getting lazy with
it), but she gets around just fine - she's a tough little nut. Seamus is at
the vets this morning - I'm going back to get him in a few hours, after they
run some tests and x-rays. It's weird, because he's 100% with everything
but his hindquarters. He's eating, drinking, alert, he even played a little
bit under the towel in the vets office. Our regular ferret vet has moved
away, so we're breaking in a new one, but she's experienced with exotics and
ferrets. <fingers crossed>
Joanne
"Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
news:yeted.3481$Pd2.1438122@monger.newsread.com...
> Hi Joanne,
>
> It's been ages since I've seen you around here. ;-) It really is hard to
> believe your kids are going to be 5 this year. Time has just flown by. I
> can remember when you first got the little buggers. I'd have to agree
> with
> the others...with his age and the fact that you said he was "distracted",
> I'd go with insulinoma. :( In any case I'll be thinking good thoughts
> for
> you and for Seamus. So how's Kiwi?
>
> Holly
>
> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
> news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
>><snip> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but
>>negative
> after
>> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing
>> great
>> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the house
> (a
>> long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign
>> of
>> injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>>
>> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
>> Thanks,
>> Joanne
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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|
Hoping the best for little Seamus..........please let us know what you find
out! Our thoughts are with you and him today.
p.s.: we missed you!!
hugs,
jumpingmouse, kylie & gilbert
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:uKted.129$xk5.38@fe39.usenetserver.com...
> Kiwi's doing great - just as feisty as ever. Bites everyone but me! Her
> one back leg has gotten a little weaker (or she's just getting lazy with
> it), but she gets around just fine - she's a tough little nut. Seamus is
> at the vets this morning - I'm going back to get him in a few hours, after
> they run some tests and x-rays. It's weird, because he's 100% with
> everything but his hindquarters. He's eating, drinking, alert, he even
> played a little bit under the towel in the vets office. Our regular
> ferret vet has moved away, so we're breaking in a new one, but she's
> experienced with exotics and ferrets. <fingers crossed>
>
> Joanne
>
> "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
> news:yeted.3481$Pd2.1438122@monger.newsread.com...
>> Hi Joanne,
>>
>> It's been ages since I've seen you around here. ;-) It really is hard
>> to
>> believe your kids are going to be 5 this year. Time has just flown by.
>> I
>> can remember when you first got the little buggers. I'd have to agree
>> with
>> the others...with his age and the fact that you said he was "distracted",
>> I'd go with insulinoma. :( In any case I'll be thinking good thoughts
>> for
>> you and for Seamus. So how's Kiwi?
>>
>> Holly
>>
>> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
>> news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
>>><snip> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but
>>>negative
>> after
>>> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing
>>> great
>>> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the house
>> (a
>>> long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign
>>> of
>>> injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>>>
>>> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
>>> Thanks,
>>> Joanne
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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| Irish Jo |
As always, my ferrets have to have medical mysteries. The vet is really
leaning toward neurological problems instead of insulinoma. His initial
bloodwork was normal, and he has no other symptoms. Plus, his one foot is
curling under a bit, which usually indicates a neuro issue, plus a little
incontinence. Xrays show some compression between two vertibrae - could be
spinal disease, could be a spinal tumor, could be an injury...? We could
take him to a more high-tech facility and inject die in his spinal column
and know more, but there are risks involved that I think outweigh any
potential benefit. Treatment is pretty much the same either way -
prednisone (which, of course, is also what's used for insulinoma, so we're
covered). We start today, and see what happens over a week. She was
honest - he could recover, he could get better for a while then get worse,
or he could go downhill rapidly. Right now he's devouring his food and is
happy to be home.
I missed you guys, too. I just got back online at home about a few weeks
ago - just in time to call for help! Did everyone survive the hurricanes
okay? Just because I wasn't here didn't mean I wasn't thinking of everyone.
Joanne
<jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:RGwed.5310$%h1.173@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> Hoping the best for little Seamus..........please let us know what you
> find out! Our thoughts are with you and him today.
>
> p.s.: we missed you!!
>
> hugs,
> jumpingmouse, kylie & gilbert
>
>
> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
> news:uKted.129$xk5.38@fe39.usenetserver.com...
>> Kiwi's doing great - just as feisty as ever. Bites everyone but me! Her
>> one back leg has gotten a little weaker (or she's just getting lazy with
>> it), but she gets around just fine - she's a tough little nut. Seamus is
>> at the vets this morning - I'm going back to get him in a few hours,
>> after they run some tests and x-rays. It's weird, because he's 100% with
>> everything but his hindquarters. He's eating, drinking, alert, he even
>> played a little bit under the towel in the vets office. Our regular
>> ferret vet has moved away, so we're breaking in a new one, but she's
>> experienced with exotics and ferrets. <fingers crossed>
>>
>> Joanne
>>
>> "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
>> news:yeted.3481$Pd2.1438122@monger.newsread.com...
>>> Hi Joanne,
>>>
>>> It's been ages since I've seen you around here. ;-) It really is hard
>>> to
>>> believe your kids are going to be 5 this year. Time has just flown by.
>>> I
>>> can remember when you first got the little buggers. I'd have to agree
>>> with
>>> the others...with his age and the fact that you said he was
>>> "distracted",
>>> I'd go with insulinoma. :( In any case I'll be thinking good thoughts
>>> for
>>> you and for Seamus. So how's Kiwi?
>>>
>>> Holly
>>>
>>> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
>>> news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
>>>><snip> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but
>>>>negative
>>> after
>>>> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing
>>>> great
>>>> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the
>>>> house
>>> (a
>>>> long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any sign
>>>> of
>>>> injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>>>>
>>>> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
>>>> Thanks,
>>>> Joanne
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
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|
We certainly haven't forgotten you either..........it's great to have you
back, Jo!!
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:cuxed.7$jB3.0@fe61.usenetserver.com...
> As always, my ferrets have to have medical mysteries. The vet is really
> leaning toward neurological problems instead of insulinoma. His initial
> bloodwork was normal, and he has no other symptoms. Plus, his one foot is
> curling under a bit, which usually indicates a neuro issue, plus a little
> incontinence. Xrays show some compression between two vertibrae - could
> be spinal disease, could be a spinal tumor, could be an injury...? We
> could take him to a more high-tech facility and inject die in his spinal
> column and know more, but there are risks involved that I think outweigh
> any potential benefit. Treatment is pretty much the same either way -
> prednisone (which, of course, is also what's used for insulinoma, so we're
> covered). We start today, and see what happens over a week. She was
> honest - he could recover, he could get better for a while then get worse,
> or he could go downhill rapidly. Right now he's devouring his food and is
> happy to be home.
>
> I missed you guys, too. I just got back online at home about a few weeks
> ago - just in time to call for help! Did everyone survive the hurricanes
> okay? Just because I wasn't here didn't mean I wasn't thinking of
> everyone.
>
> Joanne
>
> <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:RGwed.5310$%h1.173@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> Hoping the best for little Seamus..........please let us know what you
>> find out! Our thoughts are with you and him today.
>>
>> p.s.: we missed you!!
>>
>> hugs,
>> jumpingmouse, kylie & gilbert
>>
>>
>> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
>> news:uKted.129$xk5.38@fe39.usenetserver.com...
>>> Kiwi's doing great - just as feisty as ever. Bites everyone but me!
>>> Her one back leg has gotten a little weaker (or she's just getting lazy
>>> with it), but she gets around just fine - she's a tough little nut.
>>> Seamus is at the vets this morning - I'm going back to get him in a few
>>> hours, after they run some tests and x-rays. It's weird, because he's
>>> 100% with everything but his hindquarters. He's eating, drinking,
>>> alert, he even played a little bit under the towel in the vets office.
>>> Our regular ferret vet has moved away, so we're breaking in a new one,
>>> but she's experienced with exotics and ferrets. <fingers crossed>
>>>
>>> Joanne
>>>
>>> "Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
>>> news:yeted.3481$Pd2.1438122@monger.newsread.com...
>>>> Hi Joanne,
>>>>
>>>> It's been ages since I've seen you around here. ;-) It really is hard
>>>> to
>>>> believe your kids are going to be 5 this year. Time has just flown by.
>>>> I
>>>> can remember when you first got the little buggers. I'd have to agree
>>>> with
>>>> the others...with his age and the fact that you said he was
>>>> "distracted",
>>>> I'd go with insulinoma. :( In any case I'll be thinking good thoughts
>>>> for
>>>> you and for Seamus. So how's Kiwi?
>>>>
>>>> Holly
>>>>
>>>> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
>>>>><snip> Insulinoma? ADV? (Kiwi tested positive once years ago, but
>>>>>negative
>>>> after
>>>>> that, and Seamus was always negative). Both ferrets have been doing
>>>>> great
>>>>> in the new house - exploring, playing, galloping the length of the
>>>>> house
>>>> (a
>>>>> long ranch). Seamus has been climbing a ton, but I can't find any
>>>>> sign of
>>>>> injury. And they do turn five next week (hard to believe).
>>>>>
>>>>> Suggestions and good thoughts welcome.....
>>>>> Thanks,
>>>>> Joanne
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>
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| MC |
Irish who???
<<GRIN>>
Those NZ kidlets are tough...hope you find something minor!
Welcom e back!
MC
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
> Hi, guys - it's me, Irish Jo, with a new address. Been out of circulation
a
> while (working long hours, PC problems, blah, blah), but all was well
until
> today. Something's wrong with Seamus.
|
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| Irish Jo |
Thanks, MC! Seamus is such a trooper - gulped down the Carafate tonight,
and took his pred like it was candy. I'm hoping it's just an inflammation
that'll go away with treatment (hey - I can always hope, right?).
"MC" <MC@ProgressiveSystemsInc.org> wrote in message
news:clec9t027eq@news1.newsguy.com...
> Irish who???
>
> <<GRIN>>
>
> Those NZ kidlets are tough...hope you find something minor!
>
> Welcom e back!
>
> MC
>
> "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
> news:a2jed.77$9o.73@fe61.usenetserver.com...
>> Hi, guys - it's me, Irish Jo, with a new address. Been out of
>> circulation
> a
>> while (working long hours, PC problems, blah, blah), but all was well
> until
>> today. Something's wrong with Seamus.
>
>
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it's something that will clear up
with the aid of the Pred. Hopefully it was just a minor injury. Fat chance
of keeping that boy from climbing though! ;-)
Holly
"Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net> wrote in message
news:cuxed.7$jB3.0@fe61.usenetserver.com...
> As always, my ferrets have to have medical mysteries. The vet is really
> leaning toward neurological problems instead of insulinoma. His initial
> bloodwork was normal, and he has no other symptoms. Plus, his one foot is
> curling under a bit, which usually indicates a neuro issue, plus a little
> incontinence. Xrays show some compression between two vertibrae - could
be
> spinal disease, could be a spinal tumor, could be an injury...? We could
> take him to a more high-tech facility and inject die in his spinal column
> and know more, but there are risks involved that I think outweigh any
> potential benefit. Treatment is pretty much the same either way -
> prednisone (which, of course, is also what's used for insulinoma, so we're
> covered). We start today, and see what happens over a week. She was
> honest - he could recover, he could get better for a while then get worse,
> or he could go downhill rapidly. Right now he's devouring his food and is
> happy to be home.
>
> I missed you guys, too. I just got back online at home about a few weeks
> ago - just in time to call for help! Did everyone survive the hurricanes
> okay? Just because I wasn't here didn't mean I wasn't thinking of
everyone.
>
> Joanne
|
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| swamp |
On Sat, 23 Oct 2004 14:33:45 -0400, "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net>
wrote:
>As always, my ferrets have to have medical mysteries. The vet is really
>leaning toward neurological problems instead of insulinoma. His initial
>bloodwork was normal, and he has no other symptoms. Plus, his one foot is
>curling under a bit, which usually indicates a neuro issue, plus a little
>incontinence. Xrays show some compression between two vertibrae - could be
>spinal disease, could be a spinal tumor, could be an injury...? We could
>take him to a more high-tech facility and inject die in his spinal column
>and know more, but there are risks involved that I think outweigh any
>potential benefit. Treatment is pretty much the same either way -
>prednisone (which, of course, is also what's used for insulinoma, so we're
>covered). We start today, and see what happens over a week. She was
>honest - he could recover, he could get better for a while then get worse,
>or he could go downhill rapidly. Right now he's devouring his food and is
>happy to be home.
Hey Jo, long time no read. Sorry to hear Seamus is having problems.
Spinal injury and chordoma are common misdiagnoses in ferrets, which
have 40+ vertebrae. After 5 years of rough-housing an x-ray is bound
to reveal some sort of abnormality in the spine. Given his age and the
symptoms you describe it sure sounds like insulinoma to me as well. BG
values can fluctuate quite a bit even in healthy ferrets, so it's
possible the vet caught him at a "good hair" moment when his BG was
higher than usual. A fasting blood test is more accurate. Just out of
curiosity, what was his BG?
This is all academic of course, because (as you note) prednisone is
also used in the treatment of insulinoma. I've heard Pediapred, or
prednisolone is a better choice, btw. Another option is partial
pancreatotomy. The tumors are small and spread throughout the
pancreas, but Mike had one at 6 y/o and lived to see 10. Can't say
what I'd do in your place... Guess it would depend on your confidence
in the vet.
>Joanne
Good luck w/ the little Kiwi,
swamp
--
"Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| Irish Jo |
"swamp" <swamp92@> wrote in message
news:uf7on0tt6op70rr0q768ba1bhosrmh2nt0@4ax.com...
>. The tumors are small and spread throughout the
> pancreas, but Mike had one at 6 y/o and lived to see 10. Can't say
> what I'd do in your place... Guess it would depend on your confidence
> in the vet.
>
>>Joanne
>
> Good luck w/ the little Kiwi,
>
> swamp
Hi, Swamp!
The vet didn't give a specific sugar number (and I was too distracted to ask
at the time), but she said it was "low to mid 90's". Low normal range, but
she said it wasn't alarming to her, mainly because she felt so strongly that
his symptoms pointed to neuro. The curling of his paws, his lack of
reflexes, especially in one hind leg, his slight incontinence (leaking by
droplets). I really don't know what to think. No improvement at all in
hind-quarter control after 3 days of pred. But he's still alert, acts
normally, eats and drinks like a horse, doesn't seem to be in any distress
at all. In fact tonight I set his front legs on a carpet runner and held
his hind legs cupped in my hands, and he took off so fast (wheelbarrow
style) that I could hardly keep up with him! We're seriously thinking of
building a ferret wheelchair for him. I think tomorrow I'll call around and
see if I can find a vet who more confidently specializes in ferrets, so I
can at least get a second opinion. The good news is he's not suffering, but
he's not getting any better, either. <sigh>
Joanne
|
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| swamp |
On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 19:52:00 -0400, "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net>
wrote:
>Hi, Swamp!
Heya back, Jo.
>The vet didn't give a specific sugar number (and I was too distracted to ask
>at the time), but she said it was "low to mid 90's". Low normal range, but
>she said it wasn't alarming to her, mainly because she felt so strongly that
>his symptoms pointed to neuro.
Mixed reaction to that diagnosis. Mid-90s is on the low side but I
agree it's not alarming. Neuro otoh is a fallback; ferrets rarely have
neurological disorders, brain *o*r spine. When vets don't know what's
wrong they go w/ neuro. In most cases, they're running home to mama.
>The curling of his paws, his lack of
>reflexes, especially in one hind leg, his slight incontinence (leaking by
>droplets). I really don't know what to think.
Me either, tho adrenal disease might also be in the picture. If the
weakness is only in one leg, is he showing weakness elsewhere on the
same side? Front leg, face, eye? Is he straining to urinate? Is he
neutered? If so, has he returned to sexual aggressiveness?
> No improvement at all in
>hind-quarter control after 3 days of pred.
Pred can take a week or so before you see improvement. I'd stick w/ it
a while longer.
>But he's still alert, acts
>normally, eats and drinks like a horse, doesn't seem to be in any distress
>at all. In fact tonight I set his front legs on a carpet runner and held
>his hind legs cupped in my hands, and he took off so fast (wheelbarrow
>style) that I could hardly keep up with him! We're seriously thinking of
>building a ferret wheelchair for him. I think tomorrow I'll call around and
>see if I can find a vet who more confidently specializes in ferrets, so I
>can at least get a second opinion. The good news is he's not suffering, but
>he's not getting any better, either. <sigh>
Hmm. The "ferret vet" is always a good idea. The hindquarter dragging
indicates something's amiss, obviously. Unfortunately, that symptom is
non-indicative. Could be anything from ulcers to ADV... Guessing
Seamus might need to be opened up. It's not that big a deal, actually.
Ferrets handle surgery *very* well.
Sukie Crandall is the expert on ferret wheelchairs (I call them ferret
chariots) and can be found on the ferret health digest on the
smartgroups.com board. I'll email you the address after I post this.
>Joanne
swamp
--
"Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
|
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| Jason and Holly Harper |
Hmm...maybe even lymphosarcoma?? And as for wheelchairs, I do believe it
was Lois Caselman's husband that was making wheelchairs for ferrets.
Anybody else have a better memory than me?! ;-)
Holly
"swamp" <swamp92@> wrote in message
news:3hirn0h2gqk263q6t7f17rs03nlfl5abb2@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 19:52:00 -0400, "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net>
> wrote:
>
<snip> Could be anything from ulcers to ADV... Guessing
> Seamus might need to be opened up. It's not that big a deal, actually.
> Ferrets handle surgery *very* well.
>
> Sukie Crandall is the expert on ferret wheelchairs (I call them ferret
> chariots) and can be found on the ferret health digest on the
> smartgroups.com board. I'll email you the address after I post this.
>
> >Joanne
>
> swamp
>
> --
>
> "Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
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| Irish Jo |
Thanks, everyone. We hope to have an emergency appointment with a ferret
vet in the next couple of days (we have to call daily). And we're
definitely thinking about ferret wheelchairs, so any tips will be put to use
this weekend. If he needs surgery (I'm thinking exploratory is the only way
to know what's happening), I want to do it asap, while he's still at a good
weight and eating and drinking well. Today he seems to have no feeling at
all in his hindquarters, but still is not suffering (other than the
indignity of his incontinence, but we're keeping him and his bedding clean).
Joanne
"Jason and Holly Harper" <jhharper@tm.net> wrote in message
news:bbrfd.2956$Fg2.1219612@newshog.newsread.com...
> Hmm...maybe even lymphosarcoma?? And as for wheelchairs, I do believe it
> was Lois Caselman's husband that was making wheelchairs for ferrets.
> Anybody else have a better memory than me?! ;-)
>
> Holly
>
> "swamp" <swamp92@> wrote in message
> news:3hirn0h2gqk263q6t7f17rs03nlfl5abb2@4ax.com...
>> On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 19:52:00 -0400, "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net>
>> wrote:
>>
> <snip> Could be anything from ulcers to ADV... Guessing
>> Seamus might need to be opened up. It's not that big a deal, actually.
>> Ferrets handle surgery *very* well.
>>
>> Sukie Crandall is the expert on ferret wheelchairs (I call them ferret
>> chariots) and can be found on the ferret health digest on the
>> smartgroups.com board. I'll email you the address after I post this.
>>
>> >Joanne
>>
>> swamp
>>
>> --
>>
>> "Who me officer? What's a ferut. These guys?? No, they're Polish cats."
>
>
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| Irish Jo |
"swamp" <swamp92@> wrote in message
news:3hirn0h2gqk263q6t7f17rs03nlfl5abb2@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 25 Oct 2004 19:52:00 -0400, "Irish Jo" <irish16@alltel.net>
> wrote:
>
>>Hi, Swamp!
>
> Heya back, Jo.
>
<snip>
>>The curling of his paws, his lack of
>>reflexes, especially in one hind leg, his slight incontinence (leaking by
>>droplets). I really don't know what to think.
>
> Me either, tho adrenal disease might also be in the picture. If the
> weakness is only in one leg, is he showing weakness elsewhere on the
> same side? Front leg, face, eye? Is he straining to urinate? Is he
> neutered? If so, has he returned to sexual aggressiveness?
>
The weakness is all in the back end - everything else is fine. No straining
to urinate or poop - his urine just leaks gradually (poor thing), and he can
no longer get into the litter boxes, but his poop looks completely normal.
He's neutered, but hasn't shown any agression to his sister. He's always
liked to rub his privates across the top of shoes and anything else on the
ground (like he's leaving his mark), but no recent changes.
>> No improvement at all in
>>hind-quarter control after 3 days of pred.
>
> Pred can take a week or so before you see improvement. I'd stick w/ it
> a while longer.
>
We'll try to be patient, but the vet has him on diminishing doses - 1/4 pill
daily for five days, then every other day for ten days. Tomorrow's the fifth
day.
<snip> We're seriously thinking of
>>building a ferret wheelchair for him. I think tomorrow I'll call around
>>and
>>see if I can find a vet who more confidently specializes in ferrets, so I
>>can at least get a second opinion. The good news is he's not suffering,
>>but
>>he's not getting any better, either. <sigh>
>
> Hmm. The "ferret vet" is always a good idea. The hindquarter dragging
> indicates something's amiss, obviously. Unfortunately, that symptom is
> non-indicative. Could be anything from ulcers to ADV... Guessing
> Seamus might need to be opened up. It's not that big a deal, actually.
> Ferrets handle surgery *very* well.
>
Yes - I'm thinking the sooner the better for surgery, while he's still in
good physical condition. He doesn't react if you pinch him in the back
legs - doesn't seem to feel it. :-(
> Sukie Crandall is the expert on ferret wheelchairs (I call them ferret
> chariots) and can be found on the ferret health digest on the
> smartgroups.com board. I'll email you the address after I post this.
>
I was trying to remember where I saw the pictures of the ferret wheelchair.
We may try to rig something up this weekend if nothing else happens. We
never did know what caused Kiwi's disability, and that was neurological in
nature - something genetic? I'm stumped.
Thanks for everything,
Joanne
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