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: Andi & Todd Lockhart <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: foot lotion suggestion & penis/spleen question I am wondering if the large spleen and the dragging of the belly on the floor is causing the prepuce skin around the preputial opening to be slightly swollen so it is smaller than usual? I have not encountered small prepuce openings in a ferret but only in a couple of dogs over the years and surgery seemed to work. >From: "Ferrets First Shelter, TX" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Injured back >A local ferret owner has a ferret that injured his back. Nerves from the spinal cord that work the back legs, tail, anus and to some degree the urinary bladder all pass through those last few vertebrae near the pelvis. Damage to that area can lead to all the symptoms you see. Although regeneration of nerves is extremely limited (depends on the type and amount of microscopic damage), some function MAY return over time. I usuaully give owners a 30 -45 day time limit. For the most part, the amount of function you have at that time is the most amount of function you will get. Use of muscles might allow the body to compensate for nerve damage by stimulating either the slightly damaged nerves or all for other nerves to take up the slack. Non-weight bearing activity allows for the body to use its muscles without fatiguing the muscles and/or nerves. Full range of motion stimulated many nerves and muscles. Hence 'swim therapy'. One suggestion is to fill a bathtub bottom with tepid water (do not forget the ferret's tendency for heatstroke at temperatures over 90 dgrees F)to a level about the ferret's chest. Support the ferret's head to keep it from going under the water and help it walk/swim around. Start with small periods of time (5 minutes) for 3-4 times per day. Increase the time 5% each succeeding day. If the ferret seems to be overly tired, drop back 10% the next time and start to increase slowly daily. If this seems successful, please let me know. >From: Krista Hamilton <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: gooey eyes >One of our guys, Digger, has a condition called microopthalmia. It is >when the openings for the eyes don't develop properly and don't open enough >for the eye to fully develop. Microphthalmia is usually defined as a congenital or hereditary small eye globe size. It is usually not caused by the lids not developing normally. Because the globe IS small, secondarily the lids do not develop normally. Micropthalmia in pigs and dogs can be associated with detached retinas which will cause blindness but this is not always thecause. If the ferret sees well, count your blessings. Because of the abnormal anatomy of the eye, yes there is probably a tendency to get conjunctivitis or epiphora (abnormal tearing). Thething you need to differentiate this from is an upper respiratory infection. Your vet should be able to determine this with a physical and the stethoscope. Epiphora you treat by cleaning the eye goop with warm water. An infection you use antibiotics. Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP Weare Animal Hospital Weare, NH. [Posted in FML issue 1467]