Hello All:
One of my shelter ferrets (3 y.o. albino male) got into a fight with
another 2 weeks ago, and though he seemed fine immediately after, he slowed
down, then stopped eating within a few days. I noticed hind leg weakness
and took him to the vet, who said there was neuromuscular damage. She did a
glucose test (normal, though on the low end) and put him on 4" of Nutri-Cal
a day & steroids (don't remember name) once a day x 5 days, then every other
day x 3. He's finished the steroids now, but still won't eat! I tried
mushing up ferret food with water, as well as turkey baby food. He wasn't
interested. Force feeding with a syringe results in both of us covered with
food & more ON him than IN him! He's lost a lot of weight, sleeps most of
the time, & seems to have very little energy, though when I make him get up
and move around, he'll go full tilt for 5-10 minutes, then fall asleep
again. The hind leg weakness seems to be getting worse, particularly on
linoleum floors. He'll still take the Nutrical, though only about 2" a day
before he flatly refuses anymore. I've seen him eating ferret food a few
times (but not much) & he's drinking o.k. Poops look like Nutri-Cal, but a
little darker and runnier. I'm at my wits' end! Does this ferret have a
death wish??? Any help, suggestions, or advice would be appreciated!
Karen
Rogues Gallery Ferret Shelter
Durham, NC
[Posted in FML issue 1395]
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