**The advice dispensed by myself in reference to FML postings is not meant
to supplant the advice of veterinarians who are in charge of the patient.
If the patient is not currently under the care of a veterinarian, the client
is recommended to take their ferret to one.**
 
>From:    [log in to unmask]
>Subject: sick ferret
>I have a sick ferret Rambo that initially appeared to have insulinoma--
>lathargic, weak rear and seem to respond to karo syrup and normal
>temperature.  To him to vet this morning blood work was done glucose level
>normal.  He was running a slight fever 103.4, seemed bloated and his rear
>feet seemed swollen.  Blood work showed him to be enemic ...
 
It does appear that something internal is going on. Do you have the actual
numbers for the blood work? Also was the blood glucose normal, and when was
the last karo syrup before the blood work?
 
>From:    "Paula R. Coalson" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: vaccinations
>How often should ferrets be vaccinated and what for?  Distemper once a year?
 
Rabies - once a year.  Canine Distemper - once a year.  If your ferret has
never been vaccinated for distemper before, it will need 2 to 4 monthly
boosters depending on age.
 
>From:    Karen Trask <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: Sick Ferret-Need Advice
>My Ferret TigerBoy has been sick now for almost 3 weeks and we are at our
>wits end.  He presented with sudden onset of profound lethargy, elevated
>temp...
 
With the swollen spleen and lymph nodes, I would put lymphosarcoma on the
top of the list as the cause.  The rest of the symptoms and results can go
along with that diagnosis.
 
Treatment consists either of 1) prednisone as a symptomatic treatment.  The
ferret feels better but it does NOT prolong life expectancy or 2)
chemotherpay with a variety of other drugs.  Your vet should talk to a
local veterinary oncologist for more details.
 
>From:    "Karen E. Marsh-Lovvorn" <[log in to unmask]>
>Case #1: 2-1/2 y.o. MF - normal weight.  At age 7 months vulva became
>swollen & she began to lose hair.  Activity level unchanged, no
>problems/changes to indicate infection of any kind.  Taken to vet with
>suspected incomplete spay & reopened, but no uterus or residual tissue was
>found.  No adrenal symptoms.  Owner suspected allergy & tried alternative
>food, bedding material & litter.  Hair grew back & swelling went away for 1
>year, then suddenly returned (last week), but no other symptoms.  No change
>in activitity level, food, urination patterns, etc.>
 
Top of the list is adrenal disease.
 
>Very small albino female was purchased by former owner as a breeder but did
>not have kits after 2 years.  Surrendered to shelter with a hob & seemed
>fine.  Ultrasounded to determine whether a uterus was present, but no sign
>of one, so the assumption was that she had already been spayed.  There were
>no adrenal problems present on ultrasound.  Male companion was neutered &
>the pair was adopted to a new home.  After 1-1/2 months with a new owner,
>female began to show symptoms of vulvular swelling, but no change in
>activity level, urine or hair loss.  Gained to a more "normal" weight.  Has
>been "swollen" now for several weeks; current vet (not a ferret specialist)
>now suspects she wasn't spayed after all.  Owner was told by vet that the
>ferret could not be spayed "in that condition."
 
This one could be a retained ovarian tissue.  Try HCG 100 Units IM now and
repeat in 48-72 hours.  If the vulva shrinks (it won't go back to normal in
this short time span), think ovary.  If no help, think adrenal disease.  If
ovary, spay her now.
 
>From:    "marie i. schatz" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Rabies Vac
>I have a slightly different concern regarding rabies and trying to get
>quarantine laws than supporting the Morris Aniamal Foundation testing.  As I
>understand it Imbrab-3 is actually a dog vacinne (correct me if I'm wrong).
 
Imrab3 has been tested and approved on ferrets.  Yes it is also for dogs,
cats and horses.  The amount needed to stimulate companion animals is pretty
consistent regardless of actual weight of the pet.  Large animals such as
horses may require more (depends on the vaccine).  So it is not as though
the ferret is getting too much because it works for a large dog, the ferret
is getting what works for the ferret.
 
Yes, veterinary pharmaceuticals are held to a less stringent standard in
terms of FDA or USDA approval.  That's the nature of the system.  Most if
not all states accept FDA or USDA approval.  The issue with rabies is a
public health concern and human infection.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH, USA
[Posted in FML issue 2019]