**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:    Dan Herold <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Please help. My fuzzy is very sick.
>Upon returning from my vacation, I found that my fuzzy, Gypsy has fallen
>very ill.
 
Bladders can get very large to a couple of common reasons in ferrets.  The
first is some type of urinary blockage (bladder stones for example).  My
impression is that this ferret was still urinating but had a big bladder so
a blockage probably was not present.
 
The other common disease we are now seeing is prostate problems which can
include something that is termed a second bladder syndrome.  In this, the
prostate becomes one large cystic structure that fills up with urine and can
press on other body organs (sounds familiar to your case?).  This prostate
problems is secondary to hyper adrenal disease and treating the adrenal
disease typically resolves the prostate disease.
 
>From:    Anna G Ralya <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Sick ferrets - Is it a cold?
>Two of our three have what seems to be rather awful colds --- Cwynn is
>moping about snuffling and snorking loudly with a stuffy nose, and
>occasionally coughs and wipes his wet nose on my face when I pick him up
 
It does sound like a cold.  Colds can be either viral or bacterial in
nature.  Most ferrets with moderate to severe symptoms should be seen by a
veterinarian so they can be started on antibiotics.
 
>From:    "Thomas J. Balevre" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Enlarged Spleen, Ferretone
>Our friend in Miami, FL has two fuzzies (one female sable and one male
>sable, both about 4 yrs. old) who aren't in particularly good health.  They
>both have enlarged hearts and are on Lasix and potassium.
 
Ferrets do great without spleens. A question that should be asked is what is
causing the enlarged spleen. A lot of large spleens are secondary to chronic
stimulation due to an inapparant infection (like gastro-intestinal disease).
The ferret should be examined for the potential primary cause.
 
>From:    "Paula E. Smith" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Epstein-Barr Virus
>Can ferrets contract the Epstein-Barr Virus from humans?  I have
>mononucleosis, and am wondering what signs to watch for ...
 
I don t know for sure but most viruses are very species specific so I would
think it is unlikely.
 
>From:    Brooke Tomaszewski <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Molly's sick!
>I need to ask for any advice and help!  Molly was fine at 4:30pm yesterday,
>and at 5:10pm she was limp and staggering.  She wouldn't drink water or eat
 
Was a barium contrast study done?  A lot of gas in the intestinal tract is
highly suggestive of a blockage and something like stereo foam will NOT show
up on a plain (non-contrast) x-ray.  My only other suggestion is some
aggressive nursing care with force feeding.  Do not rule out stomach
problems either (stomach ulcer ferrets can drool a lot).
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH.
[Posted in FML issue 1629]