| Shadow's limp - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| jgrace5@hotmail.com |
My ferret, Shadow, has always been a very energetic and strong male
ferret. He is now about 5 years old or so. Saturday night he seemed
just fine, running around and so forth, though at one point he chose to
nap by the wall rather than climb to a usual spot in a drawer or under
the bed.
Sunday, when getting out of the cage to start his day, he had a
misterious limp, seeming to stay off he right leg. He was eating well
and friendly, and examining and feeling him I didn't see anything wrong
and he didn't seem in pain. He wasn't running much, though, and had
trouble climbing the steps.
As you would expect, I am very worried, but haven't made an appointment
with the vet as of yet. He hasn't been there I'm ashamed to say in a
couple of years.
I read some other articles about this limping in the group but thought
I'd write my own anyway.
Jason
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| jacquie |
A vet visit and xrays is definitely in order. I had a ferret who
dislocated the elbow joint in his front leg just by jumping down from the
couch. :-( At the time I had a 'normal' vet (who did not specialize in
ferrets) and he xrayed the leg and told me nothing was wrong and sent us
home.
I observed my ferret that day and knew the vet was wrong. I drove to a
larger city about 3 hours away and we saw a vet who specialized in ferrets.
She took one look at the xray and said "they xrayed the wrong leg!" She
then examined his leg just with her hands and could feel the joint was
dislocated. She gave him a small amount of isoflurane and popped the joint
back in place, put it in a cast for six weeks.
The two real lessons here are always use a ferret vet and if that vet says
nothing is wrong and you *know* something is wrong, get a second opinion
from a better qualified vet. It's good to have a vet who specializes in
exotics as your regular vet, but if you don't have one in your area, don't
be afraid to travel to find one. His leg would have never healed properly
had I not made that trip.
Hope your little Shadow gets feeling better. Let us know what you find out.
jacquie, kylie & gilbert
<jgrace5@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1110209196.866818.163920@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> My ferret, Shadow, has always been a very energetic and strong male
> ferret. He is now about 5 years old or so. Saturday night he seemed
> just fine, running around and so forth, though at one point he chose to
> nap by the wall rather than climb to a usual spot in a drawer or under
> the bed.
>
> Sunday, when getting out of the cage to start his day, he had a
> misterious limp, seeming to stay off he right leg. He was eating well
> and friendly, and examining and feeling him I didn't see anything wrong
> and he didn't seem in pain. He wasn't running much, though, and had
> trouble climbing the steps.
>
> As you would expect, I am very worried, but haven't made an appointment
> with the vet as of yet. He hasn't been there I'm ashamed to say in a
> couple of years.
>
> I read some other articles about this limping in the group but thought
> I'd write my own anyway.
>
> Jason
>
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| John C. |
On 7 Mar 2005 13:28:31 -0800, jgrace5@hotmail.com wrote:
>He has an appointment with a ferret specialist this week. I'll keep
>you informed. I wonder if they have cains for old ferrets.
>
>> <jgrace5@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:1110209196.866818.163920@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>> > My ferret, Shadow, has always been a very energetic and strong male
>> > ferret. He is now about 5 years old or so. Saturday night he
>seemed
>> > just fine, running around and so forth, though at one point he
>chose to
>> > nap by the wall rather than climb to a usual spot in a drawer or
>under
>> > the bed.
>> >
>> > Sunday, when getting out of the cage to start his day, he had a
>> > misterious limp, seeming to stay off he right leg. He was eating
>well
>> > and friendly, and examining and feeling him I didn't see anything
>wrong
>> > and he didn't seem in pain. He wasn't running much, though, and
>had
>> > trouble climbing the steps.
>> >
>> > As you would expect, I am very worried, but haven't made an
>appointment
>> > with the vet as of yet. He hasn't been there I'm ashamed to say in
>a
>> > couple of years.
>> >
>> > I read some other articles about this limping in the group but
>thought
>> > I'd write my own anyway.
>> >
>> > Jason
>> >
Make sure that the fasting blood sugar is checked. Shadow is getting
at that age when insulinoma can occur. And hind-end weakness is a
warning sign. Keep some Karo light syrup on hand. If he begins to go
into a seizure, put some on your finger and let him lick it, or force
it if he doesnt. It can save his life. I wish I had known this before
one of mine went into seizures and wound up with neuroligical damage.
Poor guy could barely walk the remaining year he lived.
John, Milo and Scooter.
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| Brian S. |
you are right. I never will know what happened to wilson. but he might of
got one in the short 30 minute trip to the store. however, i gave him honey
after and he licked it like there was no tommorow. i miss him so much. it
is hard becasue they cant tell you what is wrong. after jimmy my first
ferret i read as much as i could with the ferret for dummies book and it
really helps. i hope things get better. you never know they are so little
and i have a huge bedroom and eventhough it is ferret proof per se, nothing
is ferret proof with a fuzzy. not even the cage.
brian s.
"John C." <john_c@pcperspective.com> wrote in message
news:mvop21dtu5cj9riq53j5t4n60gqvk9in7m@4ax.com...
> On 7 Mar 2005 13:28:31 -0800, jgrace5@hotmail.com wrote:
>
>>He has an appointment with a ferret specialist this week. I'll keep
>>you informed. I wonder if they have cains for old ferrets.
>>
>
>>> <jgrace5@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>>> news:1110209196.866818.163920@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
>>> > My ferret, Shadow, has always been a very energetic and strong male
>>> > ferret. He is now about 5 years old or so. Saturday night he
>>seemed
>>> > just fine, running around and so forth, though at one point he
>>chose to
>>> > nap by the wall rather than climb to a usual spot in a drawer or
>>under
>>> > the bed.
>>> >
>>> > Sunday, when getting out of the cage to start his day, he had a
>>> > misterious limp, seeming to stay off he right leg. He was eating
>>well
>>> > and friendly, and examining and feeling him I didn't see anything
>>wrong
>>> > and he didn't seem in pain. He wasn't running much, though, and
>>had
>>> > trouble climbing the steps.
>>> >
>>> > As you would expect, I am very worried, but haven't made an
>>appointment
>>> > with the vet as of yet. He hasn't been there I'm ashamed to say in
>>a
>>> > couple of years.
>>> >
>>> > I read some other articles about this limping in the group but
>>thought
>>> > I'd write my own anyway.
>>> >
>>> > Jason
>>> >
> Make sure that the fasting blood sugar is checked. Shadow is getting
> at that age when insulinoma can occur. And hind-end weakness is a
> warning sign. Keep some Karo light syrup on hand. If he begins to go
> into a seizure, put some on your finger and let him lick it, or force
> it if he doesnt. It can save his life. I wish I had known this before
> one of mine went into seizures and wound up with neuroligical damage.
> Poor guy could barely walk the remaining year he lived.
> John, Milo and Scooter.
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| jgrace5@hotmail.com |
One other symptom is he's shaking a lot. I noticed this, I seem to
recall, a few days ago before the hind legs problem. He's also not
sleeping in the usual places and seems a little agitated when I hold
him, though still licks my face and such. Once, he tried to get up the
stairs to go to his cage for a meal, and he seemed uncoordinated when
climbing the first stair and rolled over. Angrily, he then forced his
way up pretty quick and to his cage. I'm hoping he can get back to
normal after his trip to the vet Friday. Thanks for your support.
Brian S. wrote:
> you are right. I never will know what happened to wilson. but he
might of
> got one in the short 30 minute trip to the store. however, i gave him
honey
> after and he licked it like there was no tommorow. i miss him so
much. it
> is hard becasue they cant tell you what is wrong. after jimmy my
first
> ferret i read as much as i could with the ferret for dummies book and
it
> really helps. i hope things get better. you never know they are so
little
> and i have a huge bedroom and eventhough it is ferret proof per se,
nothing
> is ferret proof with a fuzzy. not even the cage.
>
> brian s.
>
>
> "John C." <john_c@pcperspective.com> wrote in message
> news:mvop21dtu5cj9riq53j5t4n60gqvk9in7m@4ax.com...
> > On 7 Mar 2005 13:28:31 -0800, jgrace5@hotmail.com wrote:
> >
> >>He has an appointment with a ferret specialist this week. I'll
keep
> >>you informed. I wonder if they have cains for old ferrets.
> >>
> >
> >>> <jgrace5@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >>> news:1110209196.866818.163920@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> >>> > My ferret, Shadow, has always been a very energetic and strong
male
> >>> > ferret. He is now about 5 years old or so. Saturday night he
> >>seemed
> >>> > just fine, running around and so forth, though at one point he
> >>chose to
> >>> > nap by the wall rather than climb to a usual spot in a drawer
or
> >>under
> >>> > the bed.
> >>> >
> >>> > Sunday, when getting out of the cage to start his day, he had a
> >>> > misterious limp, seeming to stay off he right leg. He was
eating
> >>well
> >>> > and friendly, and examining and feeling him I didn't see
anything
> >>wrong
> >>> > and he didn't seem in pain. He wasn't running much, though,
and
> >>had
> >>> > trouble climbing the steps.
> >>> >
> >>> > As you would expect, I am very worried, but haven't made an
> >>appointment
> >>> > with the vet as of yet. He hasn't been there I'm ashamed to
say in
> >>a
> >>> > couple of years.
> >>> >
> >>> > I read some other articles about this limping in the group but
> >>thought
> >>> > I'd write my own anyway.
> >>> >
> >>> > Jason
> >>> >
> > Make sure that the fasting blood sugar is checked. Shadow is
getting
> > at that age when insulinoma can occur. And hind-end weakness is a
> > warning sign. Keep some Karo light syrup on hand. If he begins to
go
> > into a seizure, put some on your finger and let him lick it, or
force
> > it if he doesnt. It can save his life. I wish I had known this
before
> > one of mine went into seizures and wound up with neuroligical
damage.
> > Poor guy could barely walk the remaining year he lived.
> > John, Milo and Scooter.
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| jumpingmouse & kylie |
Ferrets are notorious for hiding their aches pains and illnesses until they
simply can't go on. By the time you are seeing symptoms like this,
something is definitely going on. Too bad you can't get him in a bit
sooner. The shaking makes me think he may be in pain. You might want to
put so soft blankies down for him to lay on and keep everything he needs on
the bottom level of the cage so he doesn't have to climb at all. I would
think that would be the best way to keep him comfortable untiil his vet
visit. A few extra blankies would be a good idea for extra cushy bed and in
case he gets chilled. I would suspect the shivering may be from pain tho
:-( Also, John's idea of keeping some karo syrup handy in case of an
insulinomic crash is a really good idea. Is he eating? This would be an
excellent time to be giving him warm, thin, duck soup or baby food chicken
or turkey to keep his strength up. I feed Kylie all she will eat four
times a day and she's keeping her weight up really well (maybe too well :-)
The important thing is to keep him as strong as possible until he can get to
the vet. This means plenty fluids, making sure he's 'eating regularly and a
comfortable place to lie down and stay warm - and NO climbing for him -
everything on one level. Hope that helps. Let us know how he progresses.
Our best wishes and thoughts go with him and with you. I know this is a
difficult time. ((hugs))
jacquie, kylie & gilbert
<jgrace5@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1110295698.416421.307370@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com...
> One other symptom is he's shaking a lot. I noticed this, I seem to
> recall, a few days ago before the hind legs problem. He's also not
> sleeping in the usual places and seems a little agitated when I hold
> him, though still licks my face and such. Once, he tried to get up the
> stairs to go to his cage for a meal, and he seemed uncoordinated when
> climbing the first stair and rolled over. Angrily, he then forced his
> way up pretty quick and to his cage. I'm hoping he can get back to
> normal after his trip to the vet Friday. Thanks for your support.
>
> Brian S. wrote:
> > you are right. I never will know what happened to wilson. but he
> might of
> > got one in the short 30 minute trip to the store. however, i gave him
> honey
> > after and he licked it like there was no tommorow. i miss him so
> much. it
> > is hard becasue they cant tell you what is wrong. after jimmy my
> first
> > ferret i read as much as i could with the ferret for dummies book and
> it
> > really helps. i hope things get better. you never know they are so
> little
> > and i have a huge bedroom and eventhough it is ferret proof per se,
> nothing
> > is ferret proof with a fuzzy. not even the cage.
> >
> > brian s.
> >
> >
> > "John C." <john_c@pcperspective.com> wrote in message
> > news:mvop21dtu5cj9riq53j5t4n60gqvk9in7m@4ax.com...
> > > On 7 Mar 2005 13:28:31 -0800, jgrace5@hotmail.com wrote:
> > >
> > >>He has an appointment with a ferret specialist this week. I'll
> keep
> > >>you informed. I wonder if they have cains for old ferrets.
> > >>
> > >
> > >>> <jgrace5@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> > >>> news:1110209196.866818.163920@l41g2000cwc.googlegroups.com...
> > >>> > My ferret, Shadow, has always been a very energetic and strong
> male
> > >>> > ferret. He is now about 5 years old or so. Saturday night he
> > >>seemed
> > >>> > just fine, running around and so forth, though at one point he
> > >>chose to
> > >>> > nap by the wall rather than climb to a usual spot in a drawer
> or
> > >>under
> > >>> > the bed.
> > >>> >
> > >>> > Sunday, when getting out of the cage to start his day, he had a
> > >>> > misterious limp, seeming to stay off he right leg. He was
> eating
> > >>well
> > >>> > and friendly, and examining and feeling him I didn't see
> anything
> > >>wrong
> > >>> > and he didn't seem in pain. He wasn't running much, though,
> and
> > >>had
> > >>> > trouble climbing the steps.
> > >>> >
> > >>> > As you would expect, I am very worried, but haven't made an
> > >>appointment
> > >>> > with the vet as of yet. He hasn't been there I'm ashamed to
> say in
> > >>a
> > >>> > couple of years.
> > >>> >
> > >>> > I read some other articles about this limping in the group but
> > >>thought
> > >>> > I'd write my own anyway.
> > >>> >
> > >>> > Jason
> > >>> >
> > > Make sure that the fasting blood sugar is checked. Shadow is
> getting
> > > at that age when insulinoma can occur. And hind-end weakness is a
> > > warning sign. Keep some Karo light syrup on hand. If he begins to
> go
> > > into a seizure, put some on your finger and let him lick it, or
> force
> > > it if he doesnt. It can save his life. I wish I had known this
> before
> > > one of mine went into seizures and wound up with neuroligical
> damage.
> > > Poor guy could barely walk the remaining year he lived.
> > > John, Milo and Scooter.
>
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