Tummy Problems - Probable Ulcer

Question
Hi. I have a 5 yr old ferret named Daffodil. She had a leg amputation 3 yrs ago, due to an accident and has done fine since. (right back leg) She became lethargic about 5 days ago and we took her to the vet. He is the same one who treated her before. He has owned ferrets, but has told me in the past he is not an expert. They kept her 2 nights and she continued to get worse. He recommended we have her put to sleep, or if we could afford it, we could have x rays and blood work done. The 2 days cost $240 and I have no credit cards to use, so I could not pursue more expensive treatment. The Dr. also said he would probably not be able to save her. I didn't want to have her put to sleep, so I brought her home. The vet said it was okay, she wasn't in the type of pain where it would be cruel to bring her home. Her symptoms were a fever up to 107, which is gone now, dark stools, that the vet said was blood, will not eat on her own, distended belly. She looks as if she is a balloon filled with water. She got much better at home. We have been feeding her every 3-4 hours canned food from the vet mixed with broth. I called the vet after the weekend and let him know she had not passed away and her fever was gone. He was surprised and said our next step was to medicate her. We are giving her Famotidine and Metoclopramide. I am taking her in Thurs and he will talk to us about further treatment and costs. Are any of these symptoms something you have seen before? Daffodil is a good pet and we really want to save her.

Answer
Hi Nanette:

So sorry to hear that Daffodil is feeling so bad. I'm really happy to hear the results of your weekend of having her at home and feeding (probably Hill's A/D?) and broth (to get extra fluids in her no doubt)!  I'm amazed that she has lived thru the weekend to be honest with you.  Whenever a ferret poops black, it means they have bleeding in the upper part of their digestive tract, most likely a bleeding ulcer type lesion in the stomach. You will know if she is in pain - she will grind her teeth. If she starts doing that, I hope you will get some pain meds or help her cross the bridge gently without suffering. Ask your vet about "injectable torbutol" for your ferret's pain. It's very effective, inexpensive and he will surely have it on hand. If he will (some vets won't; in that case you will have to give it orally) give it to you in injectable form, give the injection in the scruff of her neck - have someone else hold her very still, lift the skin on the scruff of her neck, quickly pop the needle completely thru her skin to the top of the needle, push the plunger all the way down, pull the needle out. You have to be quick, but this is the best pain med for these little ones and so much more effective than oral medications.

The two medications your vet has put her on are to treat an ulcer. He has her on an ulcer medication (Pepcid) and a medication to control upset stomach. I think since she has made it thru the weekend, he may want to start treating the ulcer by adding two antibiotics (the only real 'cure' for ulcers) to the meds he already has her on.  

Is she still pooping black?  I think it's important for you to know that black poop is blood. Grinding her teeth means she is in pain. Those should be the two things to watch for that would be reasons to reconsider your decision not to put her to sleep. I hope that IF her poops turn black again and/or she is grinding her teeth and you try pain meds and they don't control the pain, I do hope you will reconsider your decision. These little ones depend on us to make the right decisions for them. So far it seems you've made the right decisions because you have had a few extra days with her. Just watch her carefully; know that it's really not fair for her to be in pain - here's a great poem I'd like to share with you - I hope it will help you be strong IF and when that time does come:

       WHEN THE TIME COMES

Lord, when the time comes please help me be strong
my furry friend is sick; something's terribly wrong
The vet checked her over; there's nothing he can do
I'm afraid soon I'll be sending her; home to You

Please take her back home; on the wings of a dove
into Your loving arms; up in heaven above
Take her to a meadow; where she can play and run free
under bright sunlight; among the green grass and trees

She's been a part of my life now; for so many years
I'll miss her so much; my eyes are filling with tears
Please give me the courage; to tell her good-bye
as I know she'll watch over me; through her loving eyes

I'll never forget her; I'll see her one day
tell her we'll meet at the Bridge; then we'll go play
I'll cherish the memories; of the time we both had
they'll put a smile on my face; then I won't feel as bad
<by John Quealy>

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers