sudden decrease in energy

Question
I've been a ferret owner for years, lost several to cancer, managed adrenal disease, etc. I'd like your opinion before rushing off to the vet. My 22 mo old albino female is usually the most energetic, rambunctious, playful of the 4 ferrets I have now. Suddenly, yesterday afternoon I noticed she'd wake up, come to see where I was, then go right back to bed. I wasn't too alarmed til this morning. at 5 am like clock work she's usually up and ready to play, running all over, biting my feet, wrestling with her pals, but today, she got up and when I picked her up, she was shivering (she shivered for over 20 minutes, til she went back to bed), her nose was dry and she had no interest in playing. I've been reading about DIM and scaring the heck out of myself. I've been through blockages before and she's not vomiting, not grinding her teeth, she had one close to normal stool early this am and she took treats last night and ive seen her drinking. I was out of her normal food for close to 2 days, but I had the other food that i usually always offer and she LOVES my cats food so I figured she'd be ok til Monday when I could get a bag of her usual food. Could the food have anything to do with what's going on? Is DIM very common? Ideas? Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi stacy:

Anytime you see a sudden change in a ferrets daily eating, pooping or activities, a vet visit is in orderASaP.   DIM is very frightening and any suspicion of it requires a good ferret vet examination and blood tests to confirm or rule out the disease.  So much is still being lerned about this disease.  Here is a great link about DIM that may answer some of your questions, but if you really suspect it, please get your ferret to a ferret vet immediately.  A dog/ cat vet just may not be up on the latest, so be sure your vet is an 'exotics' specialist.  A quick call to the vets office can confirm IF the vet does specialize in exotics. Or, check your yellow pages and an exotics vet will usually advertise such.  Try this link:   http://www.ferret.org/news/2006-02-01_updated_DIM.htm  or here: http://www.smallanimalchannel.com/ferrets/ferret-health/emerging-disease-dim.asp

If you need a referral to a ferret vet, here is a list of shelters (since I don't know where you are; find your state/city and call any shelter in your area to find out who has the most experience with ferrets.  Shelter owners are a huge help, as they knoe the best and cheapest vets in the area:   http://www.ferret.org/links/shelters.html  

A food change can cause a bit of tummy upset, which could slow a ferret down, but I think you are describing more than that from the tone of your question and considering your ferret experience...we just 'know' when something isn't right and that's what I think I'm hearing from you.  You are your ferrets best judge of whether she is ill or not. My feling is always better to check it out with a vet than guess - there is just too much at stake (your ferrets life), so I strongly recommend an immediate vet appointment instead of guessing. It's definitely not something I would either try to confirm or even try to diagnose online.

I wish you and your precious little one the best of luck.  Please let me know what you find out?  My thoughts and prayers are with you and your baby.

Sincerely,
jacquie Rodgers