Merlin, our 14 month old male MF ferret has lost LOTS of weight.  When we
try to force-feed him, he fights us off with more strength than we've
experienced with a ferret.  He has occasionally thrown-up (once one day,
then a few days later, once more), then in the last couple of days, getting
sick more frequently (two or three times a day).
 
When he gets sick, it is kind of beige colored and foamy.  We have given
him Pepto Bismol each time he has gotten sick and it seems to stop the
vomitting.  His weight is down to about 2 lbs - from about 3-1/2 lbs.  The
weight loss was really slow till today.  When he stands, his skin hangs
down off his sides and you can just about see his spine.
 
We let the wrecking crew out to play this evening and Merlin was only out
for about 10 minutes.  For about five of those minutes, he was hiding under
the computer stand.  He went back into the cage on his own.  I tried to
give him some Nutri-Cal and he wouldn't take it.  I gave him some chicken
baby food mixed with water, and he took it, but we had to really coax him
to take it.
 
He hasn't shown any other signs of illness.  He still eats his food on his
own, but not much of it.  We feed strictly Totally Ferret.  He is doing the
occasional grinding of the teeth.
 
What diagnostics do we need to persue?  How much of what medication?
Duration of medication?  What other signs do we look for?
 
Please, any info will be appreciated.
 
Thanks!
 
Mary
Peoria Area Ferret Connection
[Posted in FML issue 1680]