I am still having problems with Jonesy.  His surgery for insulinoma was
last Friday 2/9/01.  He dehissed and had emergency surgery again that
evening.  Sat. 2/`10 he had a tummy wrap applied which I removed that
evening.  He had labored breathing, pitting to his abdomen and buldging
penis area, couldn't walk..  Dehydrated on Tuesday 2/13 even with forced
Pedialyte and forced feeding of Hills AD and Gerber Chicken Baby food.
Went back to the vet Weds. 2/14 in the am.  They kept him and gave him IV
fluids to rehydrate him.  They have now used 3 of his 4 legs for IV's.  He
seemed a little better when I picked him up from the vets that afternoon.
His eyes were no longer sunken and his skin turgor was better.  They even
gave him a bath before I could pick him up.  (seems strange to me).  They
drew labs on him as follows:
ALB 2.49 g/dl
ALKP 32U/L
ALT 40U/L
AMYL 23U/L
BUN 34.7 mg/dl
Ca 7.84 mg/dl
Chol 174.6 mg/dl
Crea 0.69 mg/dl
Glu 74.9 mg/dl
Phos 4.06 mg/dl
TBil 0.26 mg/dl
TP 6.54 g/dl
Glob 4.05 g/dl
HCT 27.4
HGB 9.5
MCHC 34.7
WBC 9.6 Grans 3.7 %
grans 39%
L/M 5.9 %L/M 61%
PLT 423
Retics 4.0%
 
Vet finally noticed what I had seen ... hind leg weakness.  Vet says it is
"HIS CUSHINGS" that is causing this.  He remains on 0.4 ml Prednisolone
2x/day and Cipro 0.2ml 2x/day.
 
I am literally FORCE feeding with a syringe now..he has no appetite at all.
Forcing water at feeding times also, although he will drink if you hold him
to the bowl.  He still does not act like a ferret, lays in your arms and
stares at your face or goes to sleep.  In the cage (returned him to large
cage with his letter mates on Saturday to avoid depression) all he does is
sleep.  When I bring him out to play, he stays up for about 5 minutes and
then just lays down to sleep.  He is not able to walk on any floor without
carpet.  He refuses Nutrical..can't even force that one!  Has no interest
in anything anymore.
 
I feel I am losing him and don't know what to do, or when to let him go.
Anyone ever heard of Cushings in ferrets?  Could this be caused by long
term Pred use?  Or by the adrenal disease that did not show up during
surgery?  An open heart patient is usually well enough to go home after 5
days with some semblence of self care, as well as being in rehab.  I know
that he is a ferret, but I did expect him to be better by now.  Does it
sound like he is dying to you?  Is there ANYTHING else I should be doing
for him?  He is all skin and bones now..can count the ribs and each
vertebrae of his spine.  Couldn't begin to even guess at his weight and
not sure I really want to know.  I had been on a 5 day off stretch for the
surgery, but I have to work 12 hour shifts the next 2 nights and my family
can only do so much.  They are good about medicating and feeding at
medication time, but do not provide the constant care I do.  I hate coming
home in the mornings because I am afraid he will be dead.  As you can see,
I am an emotional wreck over this.
 
ANY opininon, advise or suggestions are welcome.  I really do feel he is
dying and that he is only here right now because I refuse to let him go.
(I have been accused of putting human emotions on him) .
 
Thank you,
Sue
[Posted in FML issue 3330]