We are in need of some very positive thoughts for one of the shelter
ferrets, Silk.  She is the 1 year old shelter ferret that was diagnosed
with leukemia.
 
She has taken a pretty serious turn for the worse -- she has developed
Grand Mal seizures of the screaming variety.  I was on the PC (just happens
to be located next to her cage) when she jumped/fell down the ramp of her
cage, screaming at the top of her lungs.  Once she landed on the floor, she
began to flop and twist her body, all the while screaming and every hair on
her body was poofed.
 
Remember, this is a ferret that was still in rehabilitation for biting --
so I did not reach inside her cage, especially since she did not seem to
be 'there'.
 
The seizure lasted about 15 seconds and left her totally exhausted.  She
was still extremely jumpy and nervous 1 hour after the seizure and somewhat
zoned, but conscious.  Two hours after the seizure, she is completely
normal.  Thankfully, I called my vet and he prescribed phenobarbital for
her over the phone -- I only had to go pick it up.
 
We think that Silk has either got a brain tumor, scar tissue of some kind
caused by her extremely high fever a couple of weeks ago, or some other
kind of neurological damage.  She has had very minor seizures, widely
scattered up to now.
 
We are very concerned about her quality of life right now - and hoping that
the phenobarb will control her seizures without doping her up.  Any other
suggestions are welcomed.
 
Lisa Leidig, Head Ferret
The Ferret Haven "By-the-Sea"
http: www.ferrethaven.org
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[Posted in FML issue 3160]