Ferrets got Pneumonia

[Ideation 8,216]

She's still here but looking weaker, ive been syringing fluids into her, some water, bit of soya milk, and the odd bit of pulped mince. Breathing is very shallow, and shes very lethargic. Before anyone says it, shes not suffering, or i would have taken action already. Looks like its some kind of infection of the lungs and chest. Very slim chance the anti biotics might do some good, but i think she is too weak.

 

Done what you said sokcs, with regard to humidity, and warmth etc.

 

If / when she does go, it leave me up shit creek with regard to ferrets as well, with two on the verge of retirement (well, retired, but brought back out), and one young un thats not showing promise, and one good solid worker amongst my jills.

 

Going to have to begin the long search for a replacement of the right calibre.

[ferretville 69]

My poley jill has twice caught the cold from me when i had it and that was even with me having limited contact with them . A had to give all 4 antibiotics syringe fed a know 1 thing they didnt like it but it did the trick . Can remember the vet saying there hardy things but there either fit and well or they go down hill extremely quick . Just a reminder to you lads if your not well cold, flu have minimal contact with them as they can catch it off you . Ideation a hope your little fert pulls through for you atb fv

[Ideation 8,216]

She still looks much the same, but i did just manage to get her to eat a bit of mince, hand fed, which is the most ive seen her eat in the last few days.

 

I think this was caught from working flooded warrens on a cold day, and being on a rabbit submerged for a good while.

[Guest cookiemonsterandmerlin]

That explains it Water in lungs Jai then

 

ATB Cookie

Edited October 30, 2012 by cookiemonsterandmerlin

[Ideation 8,216]

That was my guess mate, water in lungs leading to infection / pnuemonia, and thus weakness, stopping her eating / competing with the others for food, and so shes got weaker. I really dont hold out any hope, but i'm going to keep syringing fluids and getting some meat into her every hour, if i can, but like i said before, i think shes too far gone. I probably should have started trying to force food into her sooner, but thought she was dying imminantly, and so just tried to make her comfy.

[Brimmer 220]

Give the milk a wide berth as well, sure this can cause them problems. water is all a ferret needs liquid wise.

[Ideation 8,216]

Give the milk a wide berth as well, sure this can cause them problems. water is all a ferret needs liquid wise.

 

Aye, they are lactose intolerant, so cows milk can give them the shits and dehydrate them. I'm using soya milk, no lactose, its just all that would go down and has fat and vitamins in it, but i'm trying to get mince into her to give her some kind of strength, but shes skeletal.

[ferret100 47]

Hope your jill is still alive, it sounds pretty touch and go. What a/bs did vet prescribe, they should hopefully be kicking in by now? She really needs the calories (specific convalenscence foods i.e Hills a/d, mixed 50/50 with luke warm water) syringed into her and kept warm, ferts become very weak very quick so amazing the difference the right foods/treatment can make. Milk (unless lactose free) is a no-go, she seems to have enough gastric issues as it is. Hope you have some good news to share next time. Atb.

[Ideation 8,216]

Not sure what anti biotics, and the only foods i have here that she will take really, is mince. And its lactose free soya milk.

[socks 32,253]

If she has taken some food great BUT don't worry to much about food the animal needs fluids every bit of food that goes into her she needs fluids to digest it so in essence you are dehydrating her by feeding her ... If she can take a little food every 6 hours then great but fluids are what keeps you alive ... The anti biotics should start to kick in 12 hours after the first administration and if she starts to show signs of recovery just take it way she still won't be able to handle to much of a change of temperature and to much food in one go .... Slow and steady is the key to recovery ..........

[Ideation 8,216]

Ok mate, cheers for that, i just figured that if she could eat, the more she could have the stronger she would get. Shes in the warm now, in the house in a cat cage for the last couple of days. I will keep getting the water into her. How much how often?

[ferret100 47]

Really hope she starts to pick up asap and starts keeping her food and fluids down better. Force-feeding is never pleasant, but cruel to be kind as they say. Recommend the a/d, it packs in calories but very easy to digest. While she certainly needs kept hydrated, she needs food to give her the strength to fight whatever it is she has. Best to give her as much food/water as she will take, as often as she will take it for now. Better to make liquidy paste of food and water (high protein goo!) if syringing often, as she needs both. Atb.

 

edited to say

 

Had a hob recently, very similar to yours, couldn't eat, weak, dull, very ill, a/b injections daily for 3 days, nati-inflammatoires for 1 week. Force-fed every 2 hours for a week, made full recovery. Atb

Edited October 30, 2012 by ferret100

[socks 32,253]

Don't get me wrong I am not saying starve her but fluids are far more important than food at this stage when she perks up then increase the food slightly .... She will need one or two mils of water every hour mate ... Jus be careful when springing that she is taking it down and you are not adding to full lungs .................

[Ideation 8,216]

Don't get me wrong I am not saying starve her but fluids are far more important than food at this stage when she perks up then increase the food slightly .... She will need one or two mils of water every hour mate ... Jus be careful when springing that she is taking it down and you are not adding to full lungs .................

 

Ok mate, i'm just putting the water in gentally as she makes it down, and shes not coughing, so i assume its going to the right place. Ive got to hold her head up for her to take it, she seems weaker than she did this morning.

[Rake aboot 4,935]

Shit

I hope it pulls through Jai,, nothing worse

 

I`m a bit of a fan of that Whiskas cat milk mate,, lactose free but verry fatty and high calorie. Pulp the mince and even mix it with the milk / water.

 

Hope it makes it. It`s pathetic how attached we get to them really