Poisoned Fert

[Coneytrappr 30]

So this arvo I let the ferts out for their run in the garden and after a bit I notice my albino hob acting out of sorts...normally very energetic and doesn't stop jumping about the entire time he's out...well this time he's just walking about and seemingly having trouble with his back legs, can't go faster than a walk and is a bit wobbly. Pick him up and see that he's drooling all down his chin.

Ask about and then find out that the yard around the cage has been poisoned for ants so I think that's what is ailing him.

He's eating and drinking ok and has quit drooling, seems bright enough but still wobbly. Will of course take him to the vet if he doesn't significantly improve over night.

 

My question is has anyone else had a fert poisoned in any way and did it recover? Or was it permanantly effected? what signs did it show how bad was it etc.

 

Input appreciated

[chalkedup 14]

id give his feet a wash so he doesnt clean it off and risk poisoning himself more

best of luck with him hope he pulls through

[Kay 3,709]

http://www.ferret-universe.com/health/insulinoma.asp

 

check this out as well

[Coneytrappr 30]

Thanks Chalk just wahed his feet now, much to his disgust.

 

Kay he has never been given anything sweet and mostly gets rabbit and chicken, how likely is Insulinoma when a stinker is fed on a largely natural diet?

[Kay 3,709]

Thanks Chalk just wahed his feet now, much to his disgust.

 

Kay he has never been given anything sweet and mostly gets rabbit and chicken, how likely is Insulinoma when a stinker is fed on a largely natural diet?

 

I have no idea how likely it is , but its certainly not imposible , same as someone never having smoked but gets lung cancer , its worth mentioning it to the vets even if its not the problem as well as poison the more they have to go on the better

[Coneytrappr 30]

Ok, I will bring it up with him thanks mate

[doddsy1970 9]

Coney this is just a thought but take the ant poison container with you to the vets. I hope all goes well

[AndyL 0]

So this arvo I let the ferts out for their run in the garden and after a bit I notice my albino hob acting out of sorts...normally very energetic and doesn't stop jumping about the entire time he's out...well this time he's just walking about and seemingly having trouble with his back legs, can't go faster than a walk and is a bit wobbly. Pick him up and see that he's drooling all down his chin.

Ask about and then find out that the yard around the cage has been poisoned for ants so I think that's what is ailing him.

He's eating and drinking ok and has quit drooling, seems bright enough but still wobbly. Will of course take him to the vet if he doesn't significantly improve over night.

 

My question is has anyone else had a fert poisoned in any way and did it recover? Or was it permanantly effected? what signs did it show how bad was it etc.

 

Input appreciated

 

I lost a hob a couple of years back, symptoms something similar to yours, he would try and walk / run but his back end kept swinging out until he lost his balance (moved like a sidewinder snake), his back legs seemed to have trouble supporting him. He was also drooling at the mouth and his droppings were black and tarry, but they had been like that before if I had given him something rich (rabbit liver, raw egg).

 

The lack of balance lasted a couple of hours or so, just as I was getting ready to take him to the local vet he picked up again, right as rain, eating and drinking water and walking fine, I put it down to him being old (9 years).

 

I never gave it another thought until it started again around a month later, again his back end wouldn't stay in line when walking / running, when I went out to check on him an hour or so later he was lying in his hutch curled up, he lasted another 20 minutes before he died.

 

He couldn't have been poisoned as there was nothing around his hutch he could get at.

 

I think it may have been distemper, due to the fact this happened in the late summer and I wasn't handling him as much (only ferret winter), he may have had other symptoms that I didn't notice at the time.

 

Check your ferret for rashes, make sure there is no discharge from his eyes or nose, check his droppings are they are black and tarry.

 

Hope it is only something minor and your ferret is OK, thought it worth passing on the info in case he develops any futher problems.

[Coneytrappr 30]

Thanks all.

 

Doddsy I gave the vet all the poison info as you suggested. Thanks for the suggestion.

 

AndyL I do not think is is Distemper, no rash, no discharge and his shit is normal, but will definately keep an eye on the others in case they exhibit any of those symptoms! Sorry about your stinker, nine is a respectable age. This fellow is only three so I am quite upset that his rabbiting career may be cut short!

 

Took him off to the vet this morning who agreed it does look like a case of poisoning, he was worse than last night so they're keeping him in for fluid therapy, anti-infammatories and antibiotics. Fingers crossed for him...he's not the best worker I've ever had but he's such a clown that ferreting just wouldn't be as colourful without him.

[chasethebunny 0]

well done for getting him there so quickly, I hope he makes A Full Recovery soon

[Netter 0]

Botulism

 

Ferrets are moderately susceptible to botulism types A and B, and highly susceptible to type C. The incidence of disease in pet ferrets fed commercial prepared dry or semi-moist diets is rare. Improper storage and handling of fresh meat diets leads to accumulation of botulism toxin, which causes flaccid paralysis in ferrets. Treatment consists of administration of type C antitoxin and supportive care. A bacterin for the C. botulinum type C is available for immunization of mink and ferrets on fresh meat diets.

 

Thats my guess.