Ferret gone limp

[Cornio 0]

Just had a call from the missus to say that one of my hobs isn't too well.

She said he's all limp and not moving about, just sitting there in her lap - he'd never normally do this far too hyper.

He seemed ok this morning. He's just over 2 years old.

 

Any ideas what it is? Should I get him to the vets pronto?

[The one 8,494]

Only a vet can tell you whats wrong with him for sure mate

[Shrubber 0]

I had a hob of mine a while back who just suddenly lost the use of his legs. He was fine the day before. The vet x-rayed him and found a tumour. It was too far gone so he had to be put down.

I hope its not that of course but dont waste any time getting him to the vets cos ferrets go down hill quickly.

[sue 1]

any news on the ferret yet on how it is doing

[Cornio 0]

Left work early and took him straight down the vet.

 

Vet said he'd do a blood test and give him some fluids and keep him in over night.

 

Blood tests results showed that kidneys were ok, the only thing it showed was that his electrolytes (whatever they are) were all over the place.

The vet said he's perked up a lot more and I can hopefully pick him up this afternoon fingers crossed.

[boothy 0]

i had a jill that got like this. i took it to the vets and they said she had a desiese that takes about a year to kill them so she had to be pts. cant remember the name of it.

[Quasar 1]

Sick or injured ferrets dehydrate fast.Once a ferret "goes down" it is often difficult to bring them back. NEVER DELAY TREATMENT! Even when you think they are eating and drinking they may not be getting enough calories or electrolytes. It is always wise to hand feed when you are not sure. For really sick ferrets, hand feed every 4 hours. They have a quick digestive system. Everything they eat goes through their system in 4 to 5 hrs. Powdered electrolytes are one of the many "little miracles" we have found to work wonders in ferret recovery. The Acme ferrets receive electrolytes in their water on a daily basis.

 

A sick ferrets needs to keep warm. Never put them on an electric pad! Plenty of clean towels in their cage and towel draped over the back and sides will provide a warm environment.

 

Ferrets are very social animals and quickly become attached to you. The best thing you can do for a sick ferret is to hold it. Contact, and the sound of your voice are important to a ferret's well being.

[droid 11]

Blood tests results showed that kidneys were ok, the only thing it showed was that his electrolytes (whatever they are) were all over the place.

 

Electrolytes are the mineral salts in the blood.

They help keep cells alive and healthy.

[Guest tewkesferreter]

droid do you know how much an electrolyte injection for a ferret would cost,i took one of my gills in to the vets that was in a bad way and the vet gave her an injection,it cost £50 does that sound about right?cheers.

[droid 11]

Not a clue mate.

 

Sounds bloody expensive though. The electrolyte itself is relatively cheap.

[Guest tewkesferreter]

thats what i thought. i thought electrolytes were just sugar and water? could be wrong though.

[droid 11]

Sub cutaneous injections (sub-Q to those who like to be flash ) are sugar and salts in sterile solution.

There's nothing magic about them, or expensive.

 

£50 is outrageous. I only paid that for an out of hours consultation and steroid injection for a ferret I stood on one Saturday night....

[Cornio 0]

Sick or injured ferrets dehydrate fast.Once a ferret "goes down" it is often difficult to bring them back. NEVER DELAY TREATMENT! Even when you think they are eating and drinking they may not be getting enough calories or electrolytes. It is always wise to hand feed when you are not sure. For really sick ferrets, hand feed every 4 hours. They have a quick digestive system. Everything they eat goes through their system in 4 to 5 hrs. Powdered electrolytes are one of the many "little miracles" we have found to work wonders in ferret recovery. The Acme ferrets receive electrolytes in their water on a daily basis.

 

A sick ferrets needs to keep warm. Never put them on an electric pad! Plenty of clean towels in their cage and towel draped over the back and sides will provide a warm environment.

 

Ferrets are very social animals and quickly become attached to you. The best thing you can do for a sick ferret is to hold it. Contact, and the sound of your voice are important to a ferret's well being.

 

 

Well, I got him back on Saturday and have been hand feeding him every few hours and a course of anti-biotics every day, I haven't had much sleep because I've been laid on the sofa with him on my chest to keep him warm for the last 2 nights - bloody uncomfortable. This morning he woke up jumped off the sofa and ran around the place about 10 times, he's still a little weak but definitely a massive improvement.

[Guest Leveller]

Sub cutaneous injections (sub-Q to those who like to be flash ) are sugar and salts in sterile solution.

 

No they aren't a subcutaneous injection is administered into the subcutis, (the layer of skin directly below the dermis and epidermis) as opposed to an intravenous injection (one made into a vein) or an intramuscular injection (one made into a muscle). A subcutaneous injection is they way the vaccine/solution is administered not what's actually in the syringe.

 

Glad your ferrets turning around mate

[droid 11]

You're right there.

Sub Q is the method not the content.

You can still have the content I described for sub Q though, and that's what the conversation was about.