ferret kit not moving his back legs

[minka79 1]

i have 8 ferret kits born eight weeks ago they have all been doing really well all big strong kits but theres one i noticed last night that he doesnt move much and doesnt seem to have any use of his rear legs he happens to be the biggest kit of the litters and has been since day one, he also seems to be breathing alot faster than the rest does anyone have any sugestion what it might be?

[Jamie m 668]

Sounds quite bad that if as described, there not in the full sun are they ????

[minka79 1]

there in a shelered corner but some of the cage is in the sun. its not that hot here today and ive made sure they have all had a drink

[Kay 3,709]

i have 8 ferret kits born eight weeks ago they have all been doing really well all big strong kits but theres one i noticed last night that he doesnt move much and doesnt seem to have any use of his rear legs he happens to be the biggest kit of the litters and has been since day one, he also seems to be breathing alot faster than the rest does anyone have any sugestion what it might be?

 

Are his legs at a funny angle, sticking out like a seals flippers do by any chance & how does he move about, is it a shuffle or a kind of hopping movement ?

 

I would get him looked at by a vet

[skycat 6,173]

Have a look at this site: http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets/ferret-diet/ferret-nutrition-and-malnutrition-2.aspx

[Malt 379]

Have a look at this site: http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets/ferret-diet/ferret-nutrition-and-malnutrition-2.aspx

Calcium deficiency was the first thing I thought of when I read the thread title. Mate of mine had one exactly the same, I read up on it for him and it came right once he'd put it on a diet of raw chicken wings. This has been on here a few times before over the years, so I don't think it's all that uncommon.

[minka79 1]

what could i get for them to correct this?

[Kay 3,709]

what could i get for them to correct this?

 

A diagnosis from a vet would be a start mate ,

[Malt 379]

I'd start feeding raw chicken wings, but I'd also think about getting it to the vet to rule out injury.

[Furittus 35]

I saw this just last year in a litter of kits, it was the biggest kit that first took it first and pulled itself along like a seal pup, he lost this kit, however he gave the rest yoghart made from goats milk, ( got from asda ) and the other two made 100% recovery, it was the first time that I had ever witnessed this in 35 years of ferrets, these kits had been reared on woodpigeon carcasses perhaps that had something to do with it ?, but I think Malt is on the right path with diagnosis of Calcium deficiency, please keep us informed and I hope all is well.

[skycat 6,173]

I would have thought a better source of calcium for deficient kits would be a kitten milk replacer: http://www.hyperdrug.co.uk/KMR-Kitten-Milk-Replacer-Powder-340g/productinfo/KMRP340/

[patterdalejoel 669]

i would give minced chicken would be able to ingest more bone then than a hard whole bone

[happyferret123 13]

Some one on the Ferret life UK facebook page had a kit who had this problem diagnosed from a vet- she got

bone builder and lactol which you can get from pets at home for it and making it swim a little to make it stronger and she keeps reporting back and apparently getting better so you might as well give it a go.

[minka79 1]

there eating ground up chicken wings and day old chicks now i have given them a calcium paste and pwdered calcium on food also they have lastose free milk and egg im hoping i dont loose the big boy il keep u all updated they are going to the vets first thing tomorrow how long should it take him too pull round if he takes to the calcium?

[minka79 1]

i dont think he has the strength to swim