Sid the Ferret

Question
QUESTION: Sorry I couldn't reply so I had to make a new question.  So tonight he was using his ab muscles a bit... but I can tell he was in a little pain after so I stopped him from moving.  I just had one question from your previous replay.  Should Sid be getting 30 cc's throughout the day or 30 each time 3 to 4 times a day?  Because right now he's about 30 cc's throught the day.  OH and he drank a little on his own today.  OMG I just love him so much... I noticed that he lost two of his two nails in the back but it looks like it's growing back.  I call him my Stinkerbell : )  Thank you so much for all your help.  I don't know anyone with ferrets and you have helped me SOOOOO much!

ANSWER: Hi again:

30cc each feeding/ or as much as he will take. If he is not drinking on his own at all, they infuse 100cc/day minimum subcutaneously at the vet to maintain and make sure he doesn't get dehydrated.  Dehydration is the biggest enemy right now - if you can whip that, he is probably going to make it.  Don't forget to check by pinching up the back of his neck and see if it stays tented up to see if he's dehydrated.  If he is, get him to the vet for sub-Q fluids. When I've had sick ferrets before, it's not unusual to take them to the vet first thing in the am and last thing before they close for 50cc-75cc of fluids for a week to give the ferret a chance to get their strength back and start eating/drinking on their own. It's not expensive to have that done, comparatively, maybe $20 or so and it can make the difference between life and death. So, if you aren't sure if he's getting enough fluids, do the 'tent' test; and take him in for subQ (under the skin) fluids if necessary (if he absolutely can't get enough by mouth). It's not at all unusual for this to be necessary after a surgery or serious illness with ferrets...the ones who don't watch for this important symptom are the ones who lose the battle. I feel like you really have him pretty well on the way to getting well.  Just keep up what you're doing. Don't forget to use Ferretone to encourage drinking warm fluids (Pedialyte - grape and bubblegum are my kids favorites) and also with baby food chicken or A/D.

No sweat about the nails he lost. Maybe got caught in a towel or something while being wrapped/moved during surgery. That's minor and will be fine.

I think the ferrets I've had who have had serious illnesses or surgeries are the ones that I bond with even closer than the others. They are just the best, so I know what you're talking about.  My thoughts and prayers are with you and with him - just keep doing what you're doing!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: UPDATE... My sid started to eat a little bit of hard food on his own.  And finally, I don't need to to syringe feed him : )  I still need to give him water that way because he using the water bottle but for a very short time and he won't use a suacer.  He got a bath yesterday and did very well, he was tired after that.  He feels like he's gaining a bit of weight.  Thursday he went to the vet and got a Vitamin B shot.  The vet injected it into his back end and HE FELT IT!!!  Which is a good sign.  No movement yet tho... do you think there is still hope for that?

He won't eat on his own... I have to show it to him.  Any ideas on how to make his cage more accomodating for him?  It's all one level and his food dish is right next to him.

Thanks so much!  My sid is doing gggrrrrreat!

Answer
Hi Sharleen:

That's great news that he felt the shot!  Hopefully he will get back where he can get around on his own again.  Can he move his front legs?  If so, there are ferret wheelchairs that they have where you can put their back legs up on them so they can get up and run and play again and I guess they really make a difference in the overall happiness of ferrets who are paralyzed in their back legs.  They aren't expensive, if I remember correctly, and I *THINK* there is a guy who makes them free for people who can't afford them because he's a ferret lover.  Let me know if Sid is moving his front legs. This could make a real difference in Sid's overall wellbeing if he could get uup and move around and run on the floor again.

As far as making his cage accommodating for him - best to have the bottom of the cage covered with something other than newspaper because he can't get a grip if he tries to pull himself around. It would be good to have a cozy bed to lay him in if he's not trying to move around - just make him comfortable with soft baby blankets or pieces of fleece blanket (something he can't get his toenails caught in). Also, keep his nails cut short so he doesn't get them caught and ripped out - that's painful.

Keep food and water where he can reach them from where he is sleeping if he's not moving around a lot.  It would also be a good idea to take him out of his cage everyday and very gently and slowly massage his back legs and hips with oil; and while doing this, move his legs just a little bit - bend his knees gently, then his ankles, massage his little feet, etc. The massaging/moving will help circulation in his legs and feet and if there is a possibility he will walk again, this will help tremendously in making that possible. If he were mine, I'd do the massage/moving his legs and hips gently two or three times a day. When finished, wipe any extra baby oil off his legs and wrap him in a little blanket to keep him warm.  If he's still incontinent, you can even put a little folded up paper towel around his tail area to fashion a little diaper that can easily be picked up and changed without soiling the blanket.

Those are the best ideas I can think of right now, kiddo. You're doing a great job - just keep up the good work. If he has any chance at all, I think you're doing all the right things.  Let me know about if he's moving his front legs so we can see if we can get him hooked up with a wheelchair. We're going to have company for the next week, but if you need me, you can contact me at my private email:  thunder.paw.ranch@gmail.com   Don't hesitate to email me if you need to.

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers