Col_c88 41 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Been a while since i posted due to hectic life however this needs answering.. Out of my 5 ferrets ive never had an ill one so I dont really know what to an ill ferret looks like.. I got a stray handed to me a short while ago, built it back up in stregnth as it was very weak, this morning my misses went out to open the shed and sort out the water, she shouted that there was only two of the 3 that are in the bottom hutch came out to see.. usually all 3 of them bolt up to the hutch door when the shed opens.... so i went in to check, and the stray was curled up in the bedding area, to be fair, looked like it had just woke up but even when theyve just woke up they are active within a couple of seconds (from what ive noticed). so I removed the 2 original ferrets and put them in the outside run, the stray turned its nose up at the ferret paste they all love, food, and when i picked it up it was shaking and didnt even react like normal (usually scratches a bit).. it had some water and then crawled back into bed and in a ball, ive left the 2 others out in the run will check on it a bit later but what could this be? I cleaned the hutches out yesterday and some of the waste was white HOWEVER i think that coudl be due to something i put in for them to roll around in and looks like one of them had been chewing it so i put it down to that... yesterday it seemed fine from what i could tell (since getting it handed to me its always been less playful as the others so hard to tell) Just tiredness or could something be up? Quote Link to post
martnmagik 68 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 any idea how old it is? is it to warm/cold in the nest area has it been off its food at all? has it got a dirty arse end? was it walking steadily or wobbly and falling to one side or dragging its legs at all? Quote Link to post
Col_c88 41 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I couldnt tell you how old it is, at all, its an adult though.next door found it at the bottom of the garden, it had been attacked by something... I would say its just right temperature, Now that the colder nights are coming I put hay in the bedding area yesterday,plus theres 3 curled up together.. the other 2 ferrets in the same hutch are fine. It didnt touch any food this morning, even the treat paste it turned its nose up at. Its back end seems fine, infact i saw it lift its tail and do something.. its walking slowly, seemed a bit out of balance but that could of been it slipping off the ledge thats in there hutch the best way I can describe it is, imagine you just got woke up at 2am and your a bit groggy.. Im just concerned Quote Link to post
martnmagik 68 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 id be keeping a very close eye on it. and if it gets any worse get to the vet asap as im sure your aware of how fast they go downhill! and also keep it alone untill its better just to be safe. hope it turns out well for you,mart Quote Link to post
Col_c88 41 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 ok mate will keep an eye over the course of the day.. thanks Quote Link to post
Col_c88 41 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 well checked its gums, there nice and pink.. tried to give it some milk and honey, no interest, not hungry... the misses has it at the moment like and its stopped shaking while falling asleep in her arms Quote Link to post
Yorkie82 5 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 is it dehydrated? Quote Link to post
Col_c88 41 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 skin seems springy enough, it wont drink.. theres always fresh water... my main concern is, its very skinny, can feel all its bones... yet there is always food in the hutch i take very good care of my ferrets so im a bit confused on what could be the problem.. Maybe its just really old ferret, I wish i knew Quote Link to post
BEARINATOR 2,867 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Col could it not be that distemper that is flying about at the minute, I'll find a decent link to the symptoms http://www.ferretuniverse.com/health/distemper.asp Quote Link to post
Yorkie82 5 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Maybe force feed him some Royal Canin Convalescence? its expensive but is good for putting weight on. See if you can get your hands on a small tub/packet and syringe him some. Hope he comes round Quote Link to post
Yorkie82 5 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 Col could it not be that distemper that is flying about at the minute, I'll find a decent link to the symptoms http://www.ferretuni...h/distemper.asp The rash they get round the groin and mouth/nose is really noticable. Maybe worth getting him to a vet to check out his temp? Quote Link to post
BEARINATOR 2,867 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 True Yorkie, best of luck anyway Col, keep us informed on it Quote Link to post
Col_c88 41 Posted October 28, 2011 Author Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 I've checked for runny nose, its fine, stool is normal (apart from what I mentioned before) theres no rash , Im gonna put the 4 other ferrets together tonight and leave this one on its own with more blanket to keep it warm as i cant keep it in the house (one terrier is broken to ferrets as i work him but the westie isn't) Going to the parents soon ill grab a syringe off them hopefully they have them and see how that works. thanks alot guys.. this is the first problem ive had. im not soft but the fact this ferret has been attacked, starved etc. then I work hard on it to keep it alive and build it back up to fitness only for it to go back down hill is a bit sad heh Quote Link to post
BEARINATOR 2,867 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 You get attached to all animals that you care for anyway Col, best of luck anyway mate Quote Link to post
Yorkie82 5 Posted October 28, 2011 Report Share Posted October 28, 2011 just thought is he could have a blockage if hes eaten the "white" stuff you mentioned in your first post? anyway hope he comes round Quote Link to post
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