To Rochelle concerning coloniosis:
 
        I have never encountered this term.  Perhaps you could clarify the
context in which it was used????
 
        To all concernbing weak and wobbly gaits in ferrets:
 
        There are several different syndromes that have been documented in
ferrets as causing weak and wobbly gaits.  A quick rundown is in order (and will
answer a few posts all at the same time).
 
        A.  Islet cell tumors (insulinoma).  The most common cause of wobbly
gaits (or ataxia) in ferrets is hypoglycemia.  Nerves and muscles need sugar to
run properly.  IF they don't have it, they can only move weakly.  Also, the
brain needs glucose to function.  It can't control the muscles properly, or even
react properly to the environment if the glucose is low.
 
        B.  Polyradiculitis (or nerve degeneration) in older ferrets.  The
nerves controlling the hind legs degenerate with age in a certain number of
species, including ferrets.  Many older ferrets will have mild lesions of the
sciatic nerves and spinal nerves in this area, which although they will caused
decreased motor function and weakness in the hindlimbs, generally do not result
in paralysis, only hindlimb weakness.  A study was done in the mid 1980's at
Cornell University, where the nerves of numerous species were studied, and
ferrets possessed similar lesions to rats, in which nerve degeneration is a
well-known entity.
 
        C.  Muscle loss due to age or adrenal disease.  AS ferrets get older,
they lose muscle mass all over the body, and the hindlimbs are certainly no
exception.  They will maintain their fat but lose their muscle.  The loss of
muscle makes it difficult to carry the same amount of weight as they did when
they were younger, and a wobbly gait results.  Muscle mass due to
hyperfunctional adrenal glands can cause a similar state in younger animals.
 
        I have seen many older ferrets, and quite a few have wobbly gaits.  It
is always best to take your older ferret to a vet twice a year for a checkup.
And try not to let older ferrets put on a lot of weight - sooner or later they
can't handle it.
 
 
 
To Dr. Brown:
 
        Thanks so much for being here during my absence.  It's aa tremendous
relief to know that if people have problems, there is another doctor in the
house.
 
 
Bruce Williams, DVM
[log in to unmask]
 
[Posted in FML issue 0774]