Hello everyone.  I do not post very often, but read as much as I
can.  Unfortunately, I also can not give out my email address due
to circumstances beyond my control.
 
I need some help with two of my beloved ferrets.  Both are 5 years old.
For the last few months my female ferret has become sick during the month
and then all of a sudden is fine.  She had surgery last summer and it was
found she had swallowed plastic.  They took it from her stomach and
intestines.  She recovered fully but now seems to become lethargic once
a month with a hard stomach.  She does not eat and I feed her a lot of
nutri-cal and ferrivite.  She makes the sound like when we move our tongues
around in our mouth.  Then in a matter of days she hops up and is her old
self again with a ferocious appetite.  Last time this happened I wrote Dr.
Williams and he told me to check her mouth for ulcers.  I did and there
was none.  He also thought she may have stomach ulcers.  I took her to my
regular vet this last time but they had a newbie vet look at her.  I told
them she may have an ulcer so they took x-rays and we saw something hazy
in her stomach.  She felt her stomach and it was hard.  I always feel I am
about to loose her and then she bounces back.  They recommended I do the
Bio something which she had last summer where they give her a liquid and
then take x-rays every 30 mins to see if there is a blockage.  This is
quite costly and they were about to close on a Sunday and told me to go
to an emergency Vet.  I was quite irritated with that since I have always
brought my pets there.  I asked them to treat her for an ulcer so they gave
her fluids and Tagemet.  She did bounce back as usual so I am unsure if
that helped.
 
Now my male ferret who just had a semi-tail amputation seems to have the
same thing happening to him.  Since his operation I have been watching him.
He has maintained his weight but still does not eat very well.  Both of
them seem to have tarry stool, but is it tarry?  I can't tell.  I have been
feeding him a vanilla supplement to stimulate his appetite and it does
work.  He does not like the duck soup.  I can not tell.  I need to know
if anyone else had had the same symptoms I love my ferrets very much and
hate when they don't feel well.  They are like my children and I would do
everything and anything for them.  Please any and all suggestions are
welcomed.  I know I may have left something out please bare with me.  I
have written this so quickly to get it posted.
 
Also I need to know what we can use on a ferret for fleas?  Advantage?
Please let me know.
 
Please post to the board.
Thank you in advance.
 
[GT]
[Posted in FML issue 3392]