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Ferret FAQ [5/5] - Medical Overview

From: pgreene@moe.optics.rochester.edu (Pamela Greene) Newsgroups: rec.pets,alt.pets.ferrets,rec.answers,alt.answers,news.answers Subject: Ferret FAQ [5/5] - Medical Overview Supersedes: <part5_866790002@optics.rochester.edu> Followup-To: rec.pets,alt.pets.ferrets Date: 20 Jul 1997 03:01:06 -0400 Organization: University of Rochester, but it's not their fault :-) Sender: pgreene@optics.rochester.edu (Pamela Greene) Expires: 3 Sep 1997 07:00:01 GMT Message-ID: <part5_869382001@optics.rochester.edu> References: <part1_869382001@optics.rochester.edu> Summary: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions and general information about pet domestic ferrets. Should be helpful to both prospective and current ferret owners. Part V - overview of medical tests and problems, recovery, references Keywords: faq pet ferrets medical overview recovery disease sick cancer X-URL: http://www.optics.rochester.edu:8080/users/pgreene/central.html Archive-name: pets/ferret-faq/part5 Last-modified: 25 Oct 1996 Posting-Frequency: monthly (around the 20th) Version: 3.1 URL: http://www.optics.rochester.edu:8080/users/pgreene/central.html FERRET FAQ (part 5 of 5) -- MEDICAL OVERVIEW Compiled and edited by Pamela Greene <pgreene@optics.rochester.edu> Additions, corrections, and suggestions for this file are welcomed! This document is copyright 1994-1996 by Pamela L. Greene. See section 0.5 (in Part 1, About Ferrets and This FAQ) for authorship information and redistribution rights. In short, you can give it away, but you can't charge for it or include it in any for-profit work without permission. The basic Ferret FAQ has five parts, all of which should be available wherever you obtained this one. Most people will want to look at parts 1 through 4, and perhaps skim part 5. A complete table of contents for all five files is given in Part 1. Please at least read section 0 in Part 1, About this FAQ. In addition, there are separate FAQ's for several common ferret diseases. Information about those is given in section [1.1]. Please note: I am not a ferret expert, and I did not write, nor did I independently verify, all the information in this file. I have done my best to include only accurate and useful information, but I cannot guarantee that what is contained in this file, whether written by me or by one of the contributors, is correct, or even that following the advice herein won't be harmful to you or your ferret in some way. For advice from an expert, you may wish to consult one of several books available, or, especially in the case of a suspected medical problem, a veterinarian who is familiar with the treatment of ferrets. ------------------------------ Subject: CONTENTS OF THIS FILE Part 5: MEDICAL OVERVIEW 11. *** Common health problems *** (11.1) Common diseases in ferrets (11.2) Overview of common health problems (11.2.1) Noninfectious (11.2.2) Parasitic health problems (11.2.3) Infectious diseases (11.2.4) Neoplasia (Cancer) 12. *** General medical information *** (12.1) What are normal body temperature, blood test results, etc.? (12.2) What tests might my vet want to run, and why? (12.3) What anesthetic should my vet be using? (12.4) Do I need to worry about toxoplasmosis? (12.5) How do I care for my sick or recovering ferret? (12.6) My ferret won't eat. What should I do? (12.7) What's Duck Soup? Anyone have a recipe? 13. *** Medical reference material *** (13.1) What books can I get or recommend to my vet? (13.2) Are there any other useful references? - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 11. *** Common health problems *** ------------------------------ Subject: (11.1) Common diseases in ferrets Once again, I'm not a vet or even a ferret expert, but here's a list of several of the most common medical problems in ferrets. Intestinal blockages Caused by eating something indigestible, such as an eraser, a rubber band, some fabrics, or even a good-sized hairball (accumulated from grooming), which gets stuck. Symptoms may include (one or more of) lack of bowel movement, constipation, bloating, vomiting or heaving, drooling, and others. Blockages may occur at any point in the digestive tract, from the throat through the lower intestine, even in the stomach where the object may move around and produce only intermittent symptoms. Laxatone or a similar hairball remedy/laxative can help prevent this [6.2]. Treatment is surgery, to remove the blockage. Tumors or lesions of the adrenal glands Symptoms vary, including hair loss spreading from the base of the tail forward [10.3], lethargy, loss of appetite, and loss of coordination in the hindquarters. In females, often the most prominent sign is an enlarged vulva as in heat. Often, however, a tumor will be present without showing any signs at all, so if your ferret is going in for any surgery, the vet should take a look at the adrenal glands as well (if time permits -- ferrets lose body heat very quickly in surgery). The left gland seems to be affected more often than the right. More information is available in the Ferret Medical FAQ on Adrenal Disease [1.1]. Islet cell tumors (insulinoma) These are tumors of insulin-secreting cells in the pancreas. Their main effect is a drop in the blood sugar level, and they are also common enough in older ferrets, even without symptoms, that if your pet is having surgery for something else, a quick check is worthwhile. Symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, wobbly gait, and pawing at the mouth; in more severe cases attention lapses (staring into space) or seizures may also occur. If you're more than a minute from your vet and your ferret has a low enough blood sugar level to be having seizures, call the vet and ask if you should rub Karo (corn sugar) syrup or honey on your pet's gums to raise it just enough to bring him out of the seizure. More information is available in the Ferret Medical FAQ on Insulinoma [1.1]. Lymphoma or lymphosarcoma This is a cancer of the lymphatic system. There are two main types, "classic" and juvenile. Classic lymphoma occurs in older ferrets and causes enlarged lymph nodes and irregularities in the blood cell count, but often the ferret doesn't show any outward signs until the disease has progressed pretty far, at which point the ferret suddenly gets very sick. Conclusive diagnosis is by aspiration or biopsy of a lymph node, and treatment is chemotherapy. Juvenile lymphoma is completely different. It affects ferrets under 14 months, doesn't generally cause enlarged lymph nodes, and hits very hard and fast. Also see the Ferret Medical FAQ on Lymphosarcoma [1.1]. Splenomegaly [enlarged spleen, usually a swelling in the upper abdomen] In situations where a neoplasm is not present [this is a common symptom of lymphosarcoma], the pros and cons of splenectomy should be discussed with your veterinarian. If an animal simply has a large spleen, but shows no signs of illness or discomfort, it is safer for the animal to leave it in. However, if the animal shows signs of discomfort, such as lethargy and a poor appetite, or a decrease in acty can begin. These animals also need good nursing care to get them back on their food. Often caused by H. mustelae infection (see below). With proper care - recovery rates are over 90%. Also see the Ferret Medical FAQ on Splenomegaly [1.1]. Helicobacter mustelae infection A bacterial infection of the stomach lining, Helicobacter mustelae is extremely common in ferrets. Animals with long-standing infections (generally older animals), may develop gastric problems due to the bacteria's ability to decrease acid production in the stomach. Signs of a problem include repetitive vomiting, lack of appetite, and signs of gastric ulcers (see above). Helicobacter infection and gastric ulcers often go hand in hand - the relationship between infection and gastric ulcer formation has not been totally worked out, although there is currently a lot of research in this area. Also see the Ferret Medical FAQ on Gastric Ulcers / Helicobacter mustelae [1.1]. Cutaneous vaccine reactions Subcutaneous vaccination with rabies or other vaccines may, over a period of weeks, cause a hard lump [10.1] at the site of vaccination. The lump simply consists of a large area of inflammation and most commonly are seen around the neck. The lumps can be removed, and generally do not cause a major problem for your pet. Similar lesions may be seen in vaccinated dogs and cats. ------------------------------ Subject: (11.2) Overview of common health problems All of this section was written by Susan A. Brown, DVM. Most common health problems of the pet ferret ------------------------------ Subject: (11.2.1) Noninfectious by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM A. GI Foreign Bodies [11.1] This is the MOST COMMON cause of wasting and acute abdominal disease in the ferret under 1 year of age. It occurs with less frequency in older ferrets. Ferrets love to chew and eat rubber and "sweaty" objects. The most common foreign bodies we remove are latex rubber pet toys, foam rubber, insoles and soles of shoes, pipe insulation, chair foot protectors, along with towels, cotton balls, plastic, metal, and wood. Hair balls are VERY COMMON particularly in the ferret 2 years of age and older. Most foreign bodies remain in the stomach if they are too large to pass and cause a slow wasting disease that may last for months. (This is the way that most hairballs present.) However, if the foreign material passes out of the stomach and lodges in the small intestine, then the pet becomes acutely ill, severely depressed, dehydrated, in extreme abdominal pain and finally coma and death within 24 to 48 hours if surgery is not performed. Other signs that your pet may have a foreign body are pawing at the mouth frequently, vomiting (although remember that many pets with foreign bodies do not vomit), appetite that goes on and off, black tarry stools that come and go. Prevention is by use of a cat hairball laxative [6.2] either every day or every other day (about 1") and ferret proofing [5.1] your house on hands and knees for potential foreign body items. Treatment is generally surgery, because if it is too large to leave the stomach, it has to come out somehow! B. Aplastic Anemia A common cause of death of unspayed breeding females. The cause is a condition caused by high levels of the hormone estrogen that is produced during the heat period which in turn suppresses the production of vital red and white blood cells in the bone marrow. This suppression is irreversible as the disease advances and death occurs from severe anemia, bleeding (because the blood can't clot properly), and secondary bacterial infections because there aren't enough white blood cells to fight. Signs are seen in animals in heat 1 month or longer (they can stay in heat up to 180 days if unbred), and include general depression and hind limb weakness that seems to occur suddenly and sudden loss of appetite. Additionally there may be marked hair loss and baldness on the body. Upon closer exam the gums appear light pink or white, and there may be small hemorrhages under the skin. A complete blood count should be done to determine the severity of the damage to the bone marrow. If the condition is advanced, there is no treatment as it is irreversible, and euthanasia is recommended. If the disease is caught early, treatment may include a spay, multiple transfusions and other supportive care. Prevention is by having animals not designated for breeding spayed by 6 months of age. Those to be used for breeding should use the hormone HCG for taking them out of heat during cycles when they will not be bred. The use of vasectomized males can sometimes be unreliable, and we do not recommend it. C. Anal Gland Impaction Caused when the animal has a blockage to the outflow of anal gland secretion or abnormally thick anal gland material. Signs are few, doesn't seem to cause them much pain. If the gland ruptures, a draining hole will be seen near the anus, and the pet may lick at the area frequently. Treatment is by surgical removal of the anal glands. Even if only one is affected now, remove both as the other may become affected later. There is no prevention, and this disease does not occur with sufficient frequency to warrant routine anal gland removal in all ferrets. D. Cataracts Caused when the lens of the eye becomes opaque. Light can no longer reach the retina and the animal becomes blind. In ferrets it is primarily seen in animals under one year of age and is considered to be hereditary. In other cases it may be caused by aging of the eye in very old animals or as a result of injury to the eye. Signs are almost nonexistent. Ferrets have very poor eyesight and do not depend on it for much. Many people are surprised to find that their ferrets are blind. They eyes will have a whiteish blue cast to the area of the pupil. Treatment is unnecessary. Prevention of hereditary cataracts is by not repeating the breeding. E. Cardiomyopathy There is a separate FAQ devoted to cardiomyopathy; see section [1.1]. Seen generally in animals over 3 years of age, rare in young. Caused by an abnormal thinning or thickening of the heart muscle which interferes with blood flow through the heart. Signs include a marked decrease in activity, the need to rest in the middle of the play periods, great difficulty in awakening from sleep, and as the disease progresses one may see coughing, difficulty breathing, fluid build-up in the abdomen and a general loss of condition. Diagnosis is by x-ray and EKG. Treatment is dependent on which type of heart muscle abnormality is present. There is no cure for this disease, treatment helps to alleviate symptoms and reduce he work load on the heart and attempt to prolong life. F. Urolithiasis (Bladder Stones) The cause is not completely understood. A high ash content of the diet and possible underlying bacterial or viral infections, and even some genetic predisposition may all play a part. This condition is rarely seen in animals on a low ash cat food. Signs include blood in the urine, difficulty in urinating (may be accompanied by crying when urinating), "sandy" material being passed in the urine, and in the most severe cases there may be a complete blockage leading to no urine being passed and eventual depression, coma and death. Treatment depends on the size of the stones. Surgery may be indicated or a change to a special diet may solve the problem. Prevention is by feeding a low ash diet. ------------------------------ Subject: (11.2.2) Parasitic health problems by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM A. Ear Mites [10.7] Caused by a small mite that lives in the ear and sucks blood and is picked up from other animals with mites (including dogs and cats). Signs are very minimal to none. Ferrets seem to tolerate mites very well. Occasionally there may be an excessive amount of ear wax produced, extensive scratching of the ears, and small black pigmented areas that appear on the ear. Treatment is with Ivermectin at 1 mg/kg divided into two doses with each dose dropped into each ear. This is repeated in two weeks. All the animals in the house should be treated. Wash bedding the same day as treatment and a bath for the pet wouldn't hurt, either. They also may be treated with Tresaderm daily for 14 days. B. Fleas [10.6] Caused by an insect that spends a small portion of its life on the animal and lives in the surrounding environment laying eggs the rest of the time. Prevented by spraying or powdering your animals 2 times a week with a pyrethrin product if they go outside. If you already have them, the house must be treated also. ------------------------------ Subject: (11.2.3) Infectious diseases by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM A. Influenza virus Caused by the same complex of viruses that cause disease in humans. They can catch it from humans or other ferrets. Signs include a runny nose (clear discharge), runny eyes, sneezing, coughing, decrease but not total loss in appetite, lethargy and occasionally diarrhea. In newborns it may be fatal. Treatments is generally nothing specific except rest and loving care. They generally get over it in 3 to 7 days (recall how long your flu lasted, and they will generally be the same), The antihistamine product Chlor Trimeton may be used at 1/4 tablet 2 times daily for sneezing that may interfere with sleeping or eating. If the appetite is totally lost or if any green or yellow discharges appear or if there is extreme lethargy, these animals should be seen by a veterinarian. Prevention is washing hands and no kissing when you are dealing with a cold. Also remember, they can give the flu right back to you! B. Canine Distemper A 100% fatal disease that is still very much out there! It is caused by a virus that attacks many organs in the body. The virus can stay alive for a long time on shoes and clothes that have come in contact with infected material. (Such as from walks in parks or other areas where animals roam). Signs range from acute [quick] death to a slow progressive disease which usually starts as an eye infection and progresses to a rash on the chin and lips and abdomen, and thickened hard pads on the feet. Diarrhea, vomiting, severe lethargy are other possible signs. The disease may be very drawn out with seizures and coma at the end. There is no treatment for distemper. Euthanasia is the kindest solution as it is a long and painful way to go. Prevention is by vaccination with the Fromm-D [or Fervac-D] distemper vaccine [9.2]. Use of [some] other vaccines have occasionally caused cases of distemper in ferrets. The schedule would be the first shot at 6 weeks of age then 8 weeks, 11 weeks, 14 weeks and annually thereafter. The vaccine WILL NOT last for 3 years in the face of an outbreak. Ferrets do not need vaccines containing leptospirosis, hepatitis, parainfluenza or any other dog virus. ------------------------------ Subject: (11.2.4) Neoplasia (Cancer) by Dr. Susan Brown, DVM Each of these four cancers has its own FAQ; see section [1.1]. A. Lymphosarcoma This is a disease of the lymphatic system of the body which is an important part of the immune system. The cause is unknown but investigation is being done to determine if there is a virus involved. It can occur in ferrets of any age. Signs are very variable, and many animals show no outward signs until they are very ill, or changes are picked up on a routine veterinary exam. Changes may include enlarged lymph nodes anywhere in or on the body, a greatly enlarged spleen, wasting, difficulty breathing, and extreme lethargy. A complete blood cell count may indicate abnormal (cancerous) cells present, although this occurs in a very small percentage of cases. Diagnosis is generally by biopsy of a lymph node, spleen or fluid from the chest. Treatment is by chemotherapy of the animal fulfills certain criteria that would make it a good candidate, Chemotherapy has been successful in about 75% of our cases, allowing life to be prolonged in a quality way for 6 months to 2 years. B. Insulinoma This is a tumor of the pancreas leading to a high insulin production and a low blood sugar. C. Adrenal Adenoma or Adenocarcinoma This is a tumor of the adrenal gland. D. Skin tumors There are a variety of skin tumors occurring in the pet ferret. The most common are sebaceous gland adenomas, and mast cell tumors. Most of these should be removed particularly if they are ulcerated, bleeding, or have a rough surface. Chondromas occur with some frequency on the tip of the tail as a hard round lump. They are generally benign, but may become large and bothersome and can easily be removed. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 12. *** General medical information *** ------------------------------ Subject: (12.1) What are normal body temperature, blood test results, etc.? Temperature 101-103 F (38.3 - 39.4 C), 104 F (40 C) is borderline Heart rate 216-400/min Respiration 33-36/min There are, of course, dozens of components in your ferret's blood which can help your vet determine what's wrong. Here are some of the ones people ask about most often, and normal ranges. If you want to know more about what your ferret's tests mean, don't hesitate to ask your vet. The following information is extracted from an article in The FAIR [Ferret Adoption, Information & Rescue Society] Report, Vol. II, No. 2, by Mary Van Dahm. Blood glucose Glucose is a sugar, the main energy source for the body. Its level varies through the day, higher just after a meal, lower when the ferret is hungry, but the body keeps it fairly constant mainly by controlling the amount of insulin in the blood. Testing the blood glucose after withholding food from the ferret for 6 hours (fasting blood glucose) eliminates the variation and gives you a more definite number to judge it by. A low reading (hypoglycemia) may be a sign of insulinoma (see the Ferret Insulinoma FAQ [1.1]). A high reading (hyperglycemia) is rare, but might be a sign of diabetes. A non-fasted blood glucose test might give values up to 207 mg/dl, depending on when the ferret last ate. Pack cell volume/hematocrit (PCV/HCT) This is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. Low readings indicate anemia; high readings are usually a sign of dehydration. Red blood cells (RBC) Red blood cells carry oxygen to the body's tissues and carbon dioxide back to the lungs. Low readings show anemia. White blood cells (WBC) Part of the immune system. Readings over about 7000 may mean the ferret is fighting off an infection, cold or flu. Readings over 10,000 may be early signs of lymphoma (see the Ferret Lymphosarcoma%t% FAQ [1.1]) or another cancer. Unusually low readings indicate anemia and a bone marrow problem. Lymphocytes Another type of white blood cell. High readings can indicate a "smouldering" infection, possibly Helicobacter mustelae (see the Ferret Gastric Ulcer/ H. mustelae FAQ [1.1]). Many, but not all, cases of lymphosarcoma also show elevated lymohycyte levels (see the Ferret Lymphosarcoma FAQ [1.1]). Eosinophils Another type of white blood cell. Often an indicator of intestinal disorders, infection, or cancer. Other parts of the blood profile must also be considered for a diagnosis. Protein, Albumin and Globulin Albumin is a kind of protein, and globulin is a general term for all proteins that aren't albumin, so protein - albumin = globulin. The numbers indicate the ferret's general health and nutrition, and albumin also helps show how well the liver and kidneys are working. BUN and Creatinine The job of the kidneys is to filter out impurities, so if they aren't working well, these levels will be high. Alkaline phosphatese This is an enzyme found in the liver and bone. When bones are growing or the liver is damaged, lots of this is released into the blood. Total bilirubin A by-product of the normal breakdown of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Helps diagnose liver disease and bile duct obstruction. Sodium, Potassium and Chloride Controlled by the kidneys, these are commonly called blood electrolytes. They are involved in water balance, acid/base balance, and the transmission of nerve impulses, especially to the heart. Calcium and Phosphorus These minerals are controlled by the parathyroid glands and the kidneys. The levels show possible problems with bones, blood clotting, and nerve, muscle, and cell activity. References: 1. Wellness, Inc. How to Read Your Report, 1993 2. Finkler, M. Practical Ferret Medicine and Surgery for the Private Practitioner, 1993 3. Brown, S. Ferret Medicine and Surgery, 1992 4. Fox, JG. Biology and Diseases of the Ferret, 1988 * ------------------------------ Subject: (12.2) What tests might my vet want to run, and why? Dr. Michael Dutton, DVM, writes: There is no one test for a general check-up. There are not even tests that are specific for some certain diseases. The following is a list of some example tests for common ferret diseases, but in case of some multi-systemic diseases (such as heart disease), they may not show all the abnormalities. TESTS THAT ARE SPECIFIC FOR ONE DISEASE insulinoma - resting blood glucose and insulin level (see the Ferret Insulinoma FAQ [1.1]) hyper adrenal disease - the Univ. of Tenn. ferret adrenal panel (see the Ferret Adrenal Disease FAQ [1.1]) ovarian remnant - estrogen urinary tract infection - urinalysis urinary bladder stones - x-ray bone fractures - x-ray TESTS THAT HELP DETERMINE A PARTICULAR ORGAN FUNCTION (may not be specific to cause, prognosis, etc.) heart disease - auscultation, x-ray, ultrasound (see the Ferret Cardiomyopathy FAQ) malignant lymphoma - physical exam, biopsy (see the Ferret Lymphosarcoma FAQ) masses - physical exam, biopsy spleen masses - physcial exam, biopsy (see the Ferret Splenomegaly (Enlarged Spleen) FAQ) The problem with biopsies is that you need to biopsy the correct tissue. That may not be possible such as some type of spinal cord or brain lesion. Intestinal diseases are easy to biopsy by surgical methods but that entails anesthesia (which may be risky to an ill ferret) and major abdominal surgery. So... you have a number of difficulties from the medical side to run a test for general health. Even if you can target a specific area, there may not be a definitive test and the owner needs to agree to costs, risks, etc. THE ADVICE DISPENSED BY MYSELF 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. ------------------------------ Subject: (12.3) What anesthetic should my vet be using? Isoflurane, an inhalant. Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM, says: The only acceptable type of anesthetic agent for general anesthesia in the ferret is gas, and preferably a gas anesthetic called isoflurane. Most vets use it, but other types of gas anesthetics, such as halothane are still in use. Isoflurane currently is the safest, with the least chance of generating a life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia or causing liver disease, both of which may be seen (rarely) with halothane. Most ferrets, even with severe disease, will go down quickly with isoflurane, and come up within 5-10 minutes. No other premedications are necessary [unlike for the injectable ketamine]. I would not use a vet who used injectable anesthetic for surgery - chances are much higher for overdosing. The effects of injectable anesthetics are extremely unpredictable in the ferret, and older ferrets are at risk for arrhythmia and cardiovascular shock. ------------------------------ Subject: (12.4) Do I need to worry about toxoplasmosis? Toxoplasmosis is a disease which is sometimes spread through animal feces, especially cats'. It's nothing to worry about, unless you're pregnant, have a very young child, or have a weakened immune system -- it's very dangerous to a human fetus in the first stages of development, it may be dangerous to infants and toddlers, and it's a concern for those who are HIV+. Ask your doctor if you think you might be susceptible. Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM, says: Toxoplasmosis has been reported twice in ferrets. Ferrets will not shed the toxoplasma organism to the extent that cats do, but if they are exposed to cat feces, they may contract the disease and shed very low amounts of oocysts. Here's the bottom line. Becuase of the devastating effects that Toxoplasma can have on a developing human fetus in the first trimester - you don't want to take ANY chance at all on exposing [a pregnant woman] to Toxo. So [someone in the household who isn't pregnant] inherits all litterbox duties for the next nine months. Actually, she probably stands a higher chance of getting Toxo from poorly cooked beef. The doctor says - if she's a carnivore - better get used to well-done steaks.... ------------------------------ Subject: (12.5) How do I care for my sick or recovering ferret? The following information comes from Sukie Crandall, who generously sent an account of her experiences with Meltdown and Ruffle, two of her ferrets with heart disease. At first, your sick or recovering ferret will be a big drain on your time, energy, and humor. It's amazing how stubborn a sick ferret can be. If you're unfortunate enough to have a chornically ill ferret, you may find that she becomes easier to deal with after a while, as you both get used to her new routine and limitations. You may have an assortment of medications for your ferret, whose schedule and doses might change according to her health. It's very important to keep a complete and accurate chart. Note how and when medicines must be given, and whenever you give medicines write them down and note the time. Keep information on side effects, when to skip doses, how to deal with missed doses or accidently doubled doses, which medicines should not be given close together, which must be shielded form light, and all other related information. Do not keep medications in a room which gets too hot, too cold, or too humid. Never give a laxative close to when you give a medicine. Be aware of side-effects and interactions; for instance, some medicines increase the chance of sunburn. Pill cutters work much better than scalpels or other things, and a tweezers will also be handy. Keep in mind how different medicines must be given, and find the best way for each to minimize the stress to you and your ferret. Some must be given in ways which minimize the exposure to water or saliva. They are most easily given with a narrow pill gun such as your vet will probably carry, or mixed with a fatty gel like Nutrical. Liquids are pretty straight forward, but some ferrets get good at bring those up or spitting them out. If your vet or the manufacturer's research pharmacists say they may be given with fats try putting some Linatone or Nutrical on the ferret's nose and while she is licking that off squirting in the dose at the posterior side of the mouth. (Do not use a laxative such as Petromalt for these.) You may need to cut down the sides of a litter pan for easy acccess, and folded towels can be used to make gentle ramps. For recovering ferret who is ready for play but isn't quite up to speed yet, put extra ramps, pillows, and climbing boxes around the room she'll be playing in, to make it easier for her to get into and out of boxes and jump down from furniture. (Be careful not to let her be more active than is safe, and always supervise her in play.) Weak ferrets can't play normally, but they still enjoy encountering new things. Ruffle loved being carried for walks, being given herbs to smell (especially mints and basils), having the sun on her belly for short periods, listening to music (especially songs with her name), hugs and kisses, and other peaceful entertainments. If your ferret has a reduction in smell try moistening a cotton puff or swab with a bit of perfume and putting it on the lower back above the tail, and behind the ears. That will keep it from sensitive areas but let the ferret enjoy the comforting status of having a ferret-proper level of smell. If at all possible cancel your trips away. If not possible have a familiar, friendly, knowledgeable pet sitter such as a vet tech. Have a schedule, with some minor variations for interest, so that your pet knows what to expect. When your ferret has to be at the vet's office bring along a favorite toy or blanket which smells like home. ------------------------------ Subject: (12.6) My ferret won't eat. What should I do? If your ferret gets sick, chances are your vet will tell you to feed him softened food for a time while he recovers. Even so, sometimes an upset or recovering ferret will simply refuse to eat on his own. If that happens, a good thing to try is Gerber's Second Meals chicken baby food. It's full of nutrients and water (though it's not a good full-time food [6.1]) and most ferrets love it. Put a little on your finger and let your ferret lick it; if he won't try it, carefully smear a little on his nose. He should lick it off and eat the rest from your fingers eagerly. In general, ferrets like attention, and they love to be hand-fed. For a stubborn case, try letting another ferret "raid" the sick one's food bowl in front of him. Sometimes there's nothing like competition to get a ferret to eat. You can add Nutra-Cal, Pedialyte, medications, and so forth to the baby food if your vet recommends them, and as your ferret's recovery progresses, you can mix in portions of his regular food, moistened somewhat, to gradually work him back to eating dry food on his own. Sustacal and Ensure are sometimes recommended as short-term diets for very sick ferrets, possibly in a mixture such as "Duck Soup" [12.7] but since they don't have taurine, they should never be used as the only long-term food for a non-terminal ferret. According to one report, Ensure has the preferred flavors, but iss also more likely to cause diarrhea. The best solution seemed to be combinations of the two. ------------------------------ Subject: (12.7) What's Duck Soup? Anyone have a recipe? Duck Soup, also called Ferret Soup and similar things, is a high-calorie, high-protein concoction meant to be fed to old or sick ferrets in order to fatten them up and help them regain their health. The following comes from Ann Davis: ACME Ferret Company --- The Original DUCK SOUP For years, we have been trying to find a super formula to fatten up sick ferrets, oldsters and ferrets with ulcers. We have been looking for something high in calories and protein, with added vitamins. After trying just about everything on the market for pets, we had just about given up, and were making do with some things that were not quite perfect for the little guys, because everything made for cats that we could find had a condensed milk base. [If your ferret is really sick, you may have to work your way through] all the steps, from full Sustacal to Duck Soup in caring for a sick ferret. We have heard of many miraculous recoveries attributed to Duck Soup. It has helped old ferrets, ferrets with insulinoma, ferrets with hair loss, and ferrets who are just plain too sick to eat. DUCK SOUP 1 can Sustacal (8 oz., or about 230 ml; it comes in a larger size too) 1 can water (8 oz., or about 230 ml) 2 scoops puppy or kitten weaning formula -- OPTIONAL 4 oz. (110 g? or ml?) dry kitten or ferret food, soaked in enough water to cover and soften it completely [Sustacal is meant for humans; look for it by baby formulas or in the pharmacy section of your supermarket. Debbie Riccio says you can also use Ensure, Discover 2.0, or Just Born (puppy/kitten milk replacer).] Mix thoroughly. We always nuke it for them to the temperature of baby formula. We serve about 4 fluid ounces at a time twice a day for maintenance; if your little guys eat too much and you feel they are getting fat, you can increase the amount of water. We have tried increasing the amount of dry food, but if it gets too thick some of them won't eat it. This formula also freezes well -- the Sustacal must be used within 48 hours if left only in the fridge. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 13. *** Medical reference material *** ------------------------------ Subject: (13.1) What books can I get or recommend to my vet? There is a series out by the American Animal Hospital Association 12575 West Bayaud Ave. Lakewood, CO 80228 tel. 800-252-2242 for practitioners on exotic pets. There are five books in the series. Dr. Jeff Jenkins and Dr. Susan Brown produced the one on Rabbits and Ferrets (he did the rabbit part). Many people feel that it is practical and useful; it has drug dosages, treatments, husbandry, normal clinical pathology values, and diagnostic techniques that might be useful for your vet. ------------------------------ Subject: (13.2) Are there any other useful references? Dr. Bruce Williams, DVM, recommends these references on cancers: Lawrence HJ et al. Unilateral adrenalectomy as a treatment for adrenocortical tumors in ferrets: Five cases (1990-1992). JAVMA 203(2): pp 267-270, 15 July 1993. Rosenthal KL et al. Hyperadrenocorticism associated with adrenocortical tumor or nodular hyperplasia of the adrenal gland in ferrets: 50 cases (1987-1991). JAVMA 203(2):pp. 271-275, 15 July 1993. Marini, RP et al. Functional islet cell tumor in six ferrets. JAVMA 202(3):430-434, 1 February 1993. == End of Part 5 == -- - Pam Greene Ferret Central <http://www.optics.rochester.edu:8080/users/pgreene/> or ftp://ftp.optics.rochester.edu/pub/pgreene/ or send INDEX FERRET in email to <listserv@cunyvm.cuny.edu>

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