[Moderator's note: Part 1 appeared in yesterday's FML.  BIG]
 
Mon and Tues: his legs started working again, and he was perking up.  We
had him on a different antibiotic now, to clear up that lingering cold,
and possibly something we couldn't see.  Still eating normally all this
time.  By Wed, he started crying.  He had never cried in the six years we
have had him.  Whimpered now and then in the past, but never had cried.
He cried quietly (not screaming like some of you write about, thank God),
but consistently , every time he tried to move.  He couldn't get
comfortable, and it was obvious that he was in pain.  Every time he went
to the bathroom he cried harder.  It was more than we could take, so we
decided that we had to leave and get him back to Colorado to the vet that
we trusted.  The hell with our vacation (and the money we had saved to be
able to take it).
 
Before we left I found out that the cabin had been treated twice for ants
and spiders.  (we hadn't seen any bugs, so I asked if it had been sprayed)
The owners said a rep for a new repellent had come to the resorts promoting
his stuff; a new water based product of some kind.  I couldn't help but
think of what happened to Kevin's babies, even though the bug bomb in that
case probably was stronger.
 
We left the cabin after only being there four days.  Drove 24 hours to get
back to Colo.
 
He started improving as soon as we hit the road.  By the time we got to
the vet, he was acting totally normal.  (Go figure).  He checked the
x- rays I brought him from Minn, and he said we will go another week on
the new antibiotic before taking more x rays.  He didn't think it looked
like lympho...did an aspiration of his glands; came up neg.  (but we knew
that isn't a sure way to tell.....I learned that from you guys).  I won't
put him through another gland removal for a biopsy; we did that with
another vet last summer, and he was in such pain afterwards.  (that came
back neg).  He checked his breathing and his heart...sounded okay.  Nothing
detected in lungs to explain the cloud.  Checked for adrenal, no swollen
prostrate...no other symptoms of adrenal.
 
We have another appointment on July 11.  Our vet left for HIS vacation the
day after we say him ; won't be back until the 10 th.  We didn't want to
start insulin until he gets back so that he will be available for phone
help, (his office is 70 miles away).
 
End of story.  Weird happenings that are still not explained.  I can't help
but think that the poisonings in the motel rooms AND in the cabin affected
him.  Maybe he passed a kidney stone also; he sure acted like it, the poor
little guy.  Nothing can explain the pain that made him cry every time he
went to the bathroom.  We thought maybe he had a bladder infection that the
antibiotic helped (that we were giving him for his cold).  But what could
explain the total collapse of his hind legs if his glucose was still high
in the 340's ?  Our vet said that the pred must have really got him back
on his feet (literally), and that it was a good thing we had it along.
 
Now we are only going to have him on 1/2 a ml. every other day until we
wean him off a SECOND time this next weekend.  Then we will start his
insulin injections.  I am very insecure about that.  He also said he
could see cataracts starting (from uncontrolled high glucose), but that
under the cirmcumstances, could not be helped.  (our inability to start
him on insulin right away due to our weaning him off the pred, and then
our bad timing vacation that we never should have taken).  (hindsight).
 
Will any of you that are using insulin on your babies send some info my
way?  I received a wonderul letter from Karen, who lives in the UK.  It is
all I have to go on, and perhaps will be enough, but I thought some other
experiences may be helpful for comparison.  My vet is not too sure about
diluting amounts, and will call Dr. Weiss, as he willingly does when he
feels the need.  (thank God again).  This man is the only vet in a hundred
mile radius that knows of Dr. Weiss, and has attended his lectures.  He
seems to be the most ferret knowledgeable vet around.
 
He gave me the highest compliment I have received in a long time.  He told
me I know more about ferrets than most vets he knows.  (He said that in
front of my husband, and very seriously).  I told him it is only because
of the FML, and the brains I have picked here.  I have learned everything
I know from all of you, and I have a journal filled with notes from your
posts....important things to remember.  When I don't understand, I pester
til I do.  (Some of you guys have been very patient in teaching me).
 
Thank you again for being the people that you are, and for the hundredth
(sp?) time, I have no idea what is happening with all of you, as I am
REALLY way behind now.  Like 35 issues.  Haven't been on the puter, but
for a brief connection here and there.
 
My heart goes out to anyone who hurts, and Fang and I wish you happy
tails, as always.
 
God Bless,
Lizzi
[Posted in FML issue 3101]