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>I am looking for some additional assistance in treating a ferret. He is 7
>years old. Dropped off to the shelter. Did perfectly fine for the first
>couple of weeks. Then the downhill began. First there was a respiratory
>infection. Treated along with weight lost. Blood work done. Low sugar,
>low protein, enzymes in urine.  Along with that depression.  Sub Q's are
>done on a average of one or two a day a couple of days a week.  Appetite
>is very funny.
 
Dear X:
While it is difficult to be specific without specific bloodwork values,
the fatigue can be due to one of two possibilities - either the
hypoglycemia or the dehydration, or both.
 
Severe dehydration requires daily administration of fluids - you have to
get him adequately hydrated and keep him that way, not get him partially
caught up, then let him relapse, and catch him back up again.
Dehydration will prevent him from hydrating himself.
 
Regarding the hypoglycemia - this is something that likely will require
addressing, too - whether medically or surgically (my preference, if he
can be made stable enough.)
 
The low protein - likely the result of chronic inflammation in the gut -
not uncommon in older ferrets, but It would be better to know the precise
value in order to adjudge the seriousness of the problem.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3943]