vestibular disease

Question
the vet said that my ferret Kodo has vestibular disease but that there is no know text any where in his literature claiming a ferret having the disease. what i want to know is if he knew what he was talking about and that if my ferret does have this disease if there is a cure.

Answer
Hello Chelsie,

Poor Kodo!  He must feel so nauseous with his world spinning around like that.  Wow, you are right.  I can't find much information on vestibular disease in ferrets anywhere online.  I did find some veterinary books with chapters on vestibular in ferrets.  These seem like GREAT texts from the small excerpts I was able to read.    

Ferret Husbandry, Medicine and Surgery
By John H. Lewington

The 5-minute Veterinary Consult: Ferrets and Rabbits
By Barbara L. Oglesbee

You might want to give your vet the names of these books, since they are ferret-specific and very informative.  I am certain your vet has seen vestibular disease in cats and dogs before, as it is very common.  The occurrence in ferrets seems rarer, so I would not be surprised if this is his first case.  My question is, what is he using as treatment for your ferret? There any many causes for vestibular, and I am wondering what your vet thought was the problem.  Perhaps an inner ear infection?

Speaking of which, what are his symptoms?  Usually a vestibular problem includes a head tilt, walking or rolling in circles, nystagmis (rapid eye movements), and vomiting/drooling due to nausea.  It can be QUITE a dramatic scene and it is frightening to see your little guy so disorientated.  

I will tell you how the vestibular system works to help you better understand what is going on with Kodo.  The vestibular system's main function is to act as the body's balance mechanism.  It lets us know up from down and keep ourselves orientated in our environment.  Now imagine you are spinning in a chair, round and round.  What happens when you get up?  Your vestibular system is momentarily confused, which causes you to loose your balance and stagger. Down you go!  Vestibular disease USUALLY involves an infection of the inner ear or a mite infestation, and it a bit longer lasting that a spin in a chair!  Generally, treatment of the problem will clear up the symptoms in a few days (such as a round of antibiotics).  There are, however, vestibular problems that do not resolve so easily.  brain tumors, swelling of the brain, or lesions in the central nervous system produce vestibular-like symptoms. These are more difficult to diagnose, and also difficult to treat.  Only your vet would be able to give you an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.           

General information regarding Vestibular Disease in pets:

http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_vestibular_disease.html
http://neuro.vetmed.ufl.edu/neuro/vestibular/vestib.htm

I hope everything works out ok for Kodo.  I have my fingers crossed that it is only an ear infection that will resolve and he will be back to his normal bouncy self!  If you are concerned that your vet does not know enough about ferrets, there are plenty of knowledgeable DVMS with plenty of experience.  I could help locate one for you if necessary.  

Let me know how Kodo is doing!  I will be wondering and hoping his progress is for the best.

-Cindy P.