Question
Rodney and Harry
I have a 2 year old ferret that I got last year from someone
else. When I got him he was very thin and his hair was very
thin in spots and not a lot on his tail. He had what looked
like scabs on his tail. I treated him and my other 2 ferrets
for bugs. That did not help Rodney's tail at all. I even had
blood work done to make sure it wasn't something serious.
They said that it was an adrenal gland problem but if he
wasn't better by the new year to go back. Over that winter
Rodney got better and he put on weight and his tail started
to heal and he grew his hair back. I think the reason why he
was sick was because I was the third home he lived in and he
wasn't even a year old when I got him. The last owner had
said that Rodney never bit and when I got him I found out
that was true. Even when the other ferrets bite him he
doesn't bite them at all. When I play with him he pushes his
mouth against me and thats all. I never thought anything
about that or the fact that he looks funny when he yawns. He
also made me giggle because when he eats it looks like he is
shoving his face right into it. His last owner said that he
liked his food wet. However the one day I payed closer
attention and saw that he also chews funny. I took him out
and tried to get him to open his mouth like Bandit and
Wolverine will. Sadly he can not open his mouth very much at
all. He does seem to drool but he does not have any of the
other symptoms of the one people have talked about on here.
I am hoping the reason why he drools is because he can't
open his mouth right. He is still able to eat but I notice
it seems that he is eating all the time, but that is
probably because it takes him so much effort to eat. I wish
I had noticed it sooner rather than just thinking he was a
silly ferret lol. He has obviously had this problem since I
have had him but I never noticed. I am wondering if its a
birth defect or maybe cause by abuse from one of his
previous keepers. Also I am wondering if he could have his
jaw fixed through surgery. I would be willing to pay for it
if it will help him at all. Also should my vet not have
picked that up when they checked him out??? I wonder if
there really are any vets that really know ferrets. He has
always been a very sleepy boy so thats not really an issue
for him. Also he has lots of healthy looking poop when he
goes so he is getting lots of food into him. Just really
hoping that I can fix his jaw so he can eat better and get
some bites back at his brothers when they pick on him ;)
Thank you very much,From Megan Primeau
AnswerHi Megan:
Thanks for the cute picture! There is no way to know if the jaw is fixable without having xrays taken of it by your vet. That will tell exactly what is wrong and if it is fixable - which it very well may be.
In the mean time, I would think that soft food (soak it in water) would be a good idea for him - at least try it - and see if it isn't easier on his little jaw. Maybe even a rest would help. I'm thinking it could be from abuse or from birth defect - either way, it must be painful or he would be using it so I think you are right in being concerned and yes, most vets SHOULD have noticed it. Lucky it doesn't keep him from eating though!
You might try some warm compresses (warm, damp washcloth) on his jaw for a while each evening and see if that loosens his muscle in his jaw or takes out some of the soreness. Other than that I think an xray is in order to see if there is anything the vet can do for him.
Best of luck to that precious little guy and to all those who have been abused and cannot speak for themselves. Thanks for being such a good ferret mommy!
Sincerely.
Jacquie Rodgers
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