>From:    "Adams, Randy" <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Very Sick Ferret
>My boy, Winter, age 6, has been suffering from a combination of aliments
>and I would appreciate any help anyone could offer.  On Dec 31 I found
>Winter slumped out of his tube barely conscious.  He was cold and his
>breathing was slow and I took to an ER where the Dr. informed me that it
>was probably insulinoma.  Since, he has been taking prednisone.  The
>problem is he has been showing some of the signs of ECE.  Green slime,
>the distinct smell...
 
Randy, if Winter indeed has ECE, there's not a lot you can do except
aggressive supportive care.  That means constant feedings, forced if
necessary and plenty of fluids.  Some vets will give antibiotics for any
secondary infections, but they do nothing to ECE since it's a virus.
 
With the hundreds of ferrets with ECE that have gone through our shelter,
we've found that the hypoglycemic (Insulinoma) ferrets had the most
difficult time with it.  But that doesn't mean they don't make it.  They
just need more intensive care.
 
Try not to let Winter go more than 4-6 hours without eating.  Lots of
smaller meals are better than forcing one or two big ones.  We use a simple
mix of 1 jar of gerber's 2nd stage chicken baby food mixed with 1 can of
A/D (available only at your vet).  Add a little water to thin out, suck up
25 cc's into a feeding syringe, warm it in a glass of warm water and see if
you can get him to take the full 25 cc's.
 
Warming the food can make all the difference in the world.  Mine have had
to be forced if it's room temperature but gobble it up when it's warmed.
We don't have ECE (anymore) by the way, but they do have hypoglycemia and
get regular, supplemental feedings of this mix morning and night.
 
The prednisone you're giving him should help to increase his appetite and
generally make him feel better.  A little Pepto Bismo helps them feel
better too.  We mix 0.5 cc's right into the syringe of food.  They don't
even notice when it's in the food, otherwise you usually wear it.  ECE is
not fun for them and you'll have to help him through it.
 
For the ferrets,
Mike
 
* Michael F. Janke, [log in to unmask]
* Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue
* A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation
*
* Visit our shelter's web site:  http://www.miamiferret.org
* Visit the Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/FHC
[Posted in FML issue 2558]