sickly ferret

Question
My male ferret will be 3 this month.  He threw up today, and this may be, because I gave him to much of the ferret high calorie gel.  He is losing weight and I can fill his ribs, he is not overly skinny, but I am worried.  We live in a hot area, and so I keep the air conditioner always on for him.   Last year he had several strokes and nearly died, we were pumping pedolite down his throat with a straw and feeding him baby food every hour for over a month, he cam through, and even gained back his ability to walk (his back legs were paralyzed), now I am nervous all over again.  Is the weight loss do to just older age?  or something more?  The vet has no answers.... Please help.  Also, how much should I give him treat wise to get him to gain weight... he seems to be eating less of the normal ferret food now.  Please help.  Thanks

Answer
Hi Crystal

First off, you need a new vet - an "exotics" vet.  Often people think that any vet can treat ferrets and that's just not true.  A vet who specializes in exotics will know a LOT more about ferrets - trust me on that one.If you don't know one in your area (and can't find one that advertises as an exotics vet in your local phone book), please write again giving me your city, state and zip code and I will try to find one for you or at least close to you.

The symptoms you are describing about him losing control of his back legs are not necessarily those of a stroke - they could be indicative of low blood sugar, especially if you feed him sweet snacks.  At only three years old, he is NOT considered an old ferret!  However, weight loss can cause ferrets of any age to die if they don't keep up their fluid intake and hold their weight.  It's just to "iffy" for me to guess what may be causing your ferret to be sick, but he definitely needs to be examined by an exotics vet - it may be something simple!  It's just really important for him to get in to see a qualified ferret vet ASAP.

BTW......it's never a good idea to put fluids or ANYTHING down the throat of a ferret who is unconscious; even very weak ferrets can choke when 'force fed'; once they get that sick, they really need to be under a good ferret vet's care.  A good vet would have been helping you with sub-cutaneous fluid support.  Feeding him chicken or turkey meat baby food is fine, as is "Hill's A/D Feline canned", which is even better and you can get it at your vets. Feed as much as he will eat every four hours.  If his fluids get low again, get fluids and a butterfly needle from the vet and have the vet show you how to give sub-Q's yourself, as it's much easier and more sure-fire than the pediolyte (although you DID have the right idea - he needed fluids AND electrolytes).  You definitely need a new vet ASAP - write me if you need a referrall - eventually this will kill him if you don't figure out what it is, what's happening and get some proper treatment for him.

My best wishes for him to get well and for you to find an exotics vet closeby SOON!!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers