RE:  Blind Ferrets
 
Before they died, I found out that both Percy and Bree were totally blind.
I knew that Percy was, as she bumped into things.  Bree I didn't know,
although in retrospect there were signs.  She had gotten so that she was
easily startled.  Jumping when we went to pick her up or when there was an
unusual sound.  But she never had any problems at all getting around.
Percy must have had reduced scent or whisker feel as well as blindness,
because she would occasionally bump into things.  Neither seemed overly
effected by it, so don't worry too much.  Percy would sometimes hurt her
nose a bit, making her back up and wince a bit, but it really didn't seem
to bother her.  She would just walk around staying very clear of the
obstruction.
 
As for the cause of blindness, Dr. Kawasaki says that he sees it all the
time.  I believe the term he used was something like 'Retinal Atrophy'.  He
expressed frustration that he has been unable to get other professionals to
believe his findings.  Even after writing an article with photographs of
the problem.  He does have one researcher who says he will do the research
if Dr. K could show him some proof of it.  I have some consolation that
both of my girls' eyes have gone towards this purpose.  I sincerely hope
that their loss will help ferrets like yours.
 
The pictures that he showed me of a healthy eye clearly show blood vessels
going in towards the center.  In a diseased eye, there are no blood vessels
visible.  Both my girls were at the complete blindness stage, so we didn't
go into treatment methods, although he said if it wasn't complete that it
was treatable.  I'm sure he would be more than happy to confer with your
vet, his number is 703-494-0094.
 
RE:  California vets
Contact the CDFA.  I know for a fact that they can refer you to someone.
In fact, a doctor associated with the CDFA was in VA this week to learn
from Dr. Kawasaki.  Unfortunately I was much too distraught to find out
where he was from exactly, or remember his name.  But, he did say that he
worked with the CDFA, and that he sees many ferrets.  He seemed very
interested and concerned about ferret care.
 
- Nancy
 
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Nancy Stephens                                  [log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 1330]