Hello:
 
I'm sad to report that three of my ferrets have all come down with a
suspected case of ECE.  I did supportive care all weekend (baby food,
ensure, pedialyte, nutrical) and brought them into the vet today.  The
gang wasn't super-dehydrated and from the tone of the vet, they could
have been doing lots worse.
 
All three of them are coming home with instructions for more supportive
care and subcutaneous fluids.  From a previous experience, I know how the
process works.  I also remember how it's nearly impossible to do.  Around
the same time as my previous experience, someone posted about a method of
giving subcutaneous fluids that was different than the syringe method (I
want to say it had something to do with a butterfly needle and tubing?)
that was easier for the ferrets to tolerate.  If the original poster is
still on list (or if anyone remembers what I'm talking about)could they
please email me with the particulars?  Also, any success stories with
ferrets surviving ECE would be most wonderful for my morale.  All three
of the ferrets also have inflammatory bowel disease (Dr. Weiss was going to
do biopsies on Wednesday--doesn't look like that will stand) so I am extra
extra concerned about them.
 
Thanks,
 
Laura Martinez
[Posted in FML issue 3271]