**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>From:    Curtis Eyre <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Abby, not such good news
>Took Abby to the vet for a reweigh and glucose check today.  She also had
>her staples removed.  The bad news was the surgery didn't help cure the
 
Unfortunately diazoxide (brand name = Proglycem) is the only game in town,
it does not come any other way.
 
>From:    Melissa Litwicki <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Cold / ECE Vet Question?
>First, Potpie got a cold.  Eek!  It passed from me to Potpie to John and
>Neil (they really did get it from the ferret, honest :).
 
From a practical point of view there is not much difference from a runny
nose or a sore throat.  Treatment is the same.  Some ferrets with sore
throats have a hard time swallowing.  ECE can be shed for up to 6 months
from a carrier.  I am interested in the prednisone injection for ECE that
you mentioned.  If you could send me more details, I would appreciate it.
 
>From:    Tracy Tunnison <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Question for the vets
>I have a question the vets here might be able to help me with. Bear with me,
>it's a fairly long history.
 
Hormonal changes can cause infections to appear more easily.  If it is in
the same area I would be suspicious of either a foreign body there or a
localized quiescent infection that long term antibiotics may be needed.  A
cystic structure (or tumor) are also possibilities.  If it persists,
surgical removal may be indicated.
 
>From:    Michelle Jackson <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: heart problem?
>We were told our oldest and smallest ferret, Tia (four and a half years old,
>usually her weight is slightly under a pound to slightly over, depending on
>the season) has a somewhat irregular heartbeat during her last check-up.
 
May be related.  Get the heart checked again and see if the vet can run an
ECG to check on the electrical conduction of the heart.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH
[Posted in FML issue 1709]