I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, I am actually hoping
maybe some on the FHL would review this & respond.  I don't know if we
"general public" ferret folks can post on the FHL or not??
 
I am posting on behalf of a dear friend and ferret mom who fears she
sees a pattern in the death of 3 ferrets with a 4th ferret now looking
unhealthy.  I will give as much detail as possible - and am looking for
any help, suggestions, knowledge, insight you can lend as we try to learn
from experience and hopefully prevent additional occurrences.
 
Household had 8 ferrets - experienced ferret mom, all but 1 were shelter
ferrets, all exposed to ECE at one time or another.  Household took in 2
new shelter ferrets from a different shelter than the others definately
ECE exposed before coming to the house - these two went to the hospital
almost immediately for nausea, vomiting, lack of appetite, lethargy -
stayed at hospital for 2 days, received sub-q fluids and supportive care.
One of the 2 had surgery at a later date for insulinoma.  For what it's
worth - and this might be important, Mom & Dad had severe flu for a couple
of days in this timeframe of when ferret #1 became ill.  Within a month of
new arrivals, ferret #1 below became ill.  Ferrets 1-4 below all female,
approx 6 years of age.
 
Ferret #1 - Spook - 6 mos after arrival of 2 newcomers - loss of appetite,
rapid weight loss, diarreha, dehydration.  Supplemented with soup for some
time, no progress seemed to made.  Hospitalized x2 days, x-ray negative,
syringe fed, sub-q fluids, chem pannel, cbc, checked glucose 4 times over
the 2 days, administered Amoxi and also started Pred .3 (1mg/ml).  Went
home with meds & AD, pedialyte.  Taken to vet 1 day later upon observation
of large amount of blood from rectum - emeciated, severe bruising around
previously drawn blood site, euthanized at vet's recommendation.
 
Ferret #2 -Peanut - loss of appetite, rapid weight loss, diarreha,
dehydration, vomitting.  Supplemented with soup but ferret very quickly
went to bright red blood from rectum.  Taken to vet, euthanized, with vet
saying they believed it to be complications from/ongoing damage from
previous ECE.
 
Ferret #3 - Angel - same symptoms as prvious 2, lasting approx 1 month,
up & down but always lethargic.  Mom was the most observant of this
ferret, sensing a pattern here.  Occasional red blood in stool.  This
ferret did take low dose of Pred daily (.10cc 1mg/ml) for glucose issues.
All lab work came back within normal limits.  This time, vet prescribed
Karafate, Flagil, Amoxi & Pepcid.  2-3 weeks after medicaltions, started
looking sick again, not able to put on weight with kibble and turkey baby
food, did seem to add a weight with addition of A/D so we assumed that
maybe the kibble & Turkey was not providing enough protein as this
particular ferret came in on "purina kitten" which we equate to Cheetos
and was never able to convert to a better food.  4 months after
medications and some up & down progress, symptoms returned with
intermittent blood in stools.  Went downhill quickly and completely
refused food.  Ferret was euthanized (of course, is was a Sunday
afternoon, when most ferret emergencies seem to happe n).  Ferret was
left at vet for a Post to be done.  Results as follows:
 
Cachexic, pale mm.??  Abdominal exam - spleen small, adrenal WNL, R kidney
2x2cm cyst on dorsal aspect, both kidneys 50-75% of normal size, liver OK,
pancreatic tissue OK, no masses noted, some degeneration.  Intestines OK,
no lymph node enlargement noted inabdomen.  Thorax; heart OK.  Lungs
10 -1x1mm nodules, generalized bilaterally.  Lungs felt "thick".
Tentative diagnosis: R/O lymphoma, renal failure, liver failure.  (So we
ruled all this out, but didn't seem to include any possibilities).  No
tissue samples were taken.
 
Ferret #4 - Willow - loss of appetite, diarreha, vomitting, rapid weight
loss, lethargy.  Ferret was sick for 1-2 weeks.  Supplemented with soup.
1 year has passed, and ferret is again displaying symptoms although she is
eating this time, PLUS and blood has been noticed in the habitat, although
cannot be sure it's from this ferret.  When seperated from group, this
ferret is eating plenty one day, not so much overnight.  Continues to
maintain a low weight & act lethargic, squinty eyes, diarreha, grainy
poops green/tan, etc.  Have just tried a dose of Kaopectate, but no
positive results.
 
6 other household ferrets remain healthy with the usual mix of adrenal &
insulinoma going on.
 
OK - the questions:
 
Looking for a course of action.  Lab work & x-rays have never showed
anything so owner is hesitent to continue spending $$ on tests that never
show results, although is willing to spend $$ on anything that will help.
How do we stabilize ferret #4?
 
Are there any concerns feeding A/D for a prolonged period of time?  Why
is this food treated like a drug?
 
Is this in any way related to arrival of 2 newcomers from shelter?
 
Is this in any way related to mom & dad's flu?
 
Where is this blood coming from?  How can a ferret have blood, and a post
show nothing indicating where blood is from?
 
Is there actually evidence that ECE has prolonged effects after symptoms
subside?
 
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.  It could be that there is no
connection between any of their illnesses - certainly we know that no
matter what's wrong with a ferret, it seems to show up in their digestive
system & the litter pan.  It's the blood that really bothers us and has
not been explained.
 
Appreciate your time,
Jerri Carel, Louisville KY
[Posted in FML issue 3652]