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Post by opiesmom on Nov 7, 2009 15:54:10 GMT -5
I hope it is okay to start a new thread but I think recovery is a better topic than surgery at this point. Opie has made through four days now. Yesterday he was doing well, resting comfortable, eating and drinking. I was letting him eat all he wanted to but I think he was eating to much and to fast because last night he started pawing at his mouth after I fed him. That was a horrible sight to see. I thought he was going to cut up his mouth. So I grabbed him really fast and put him on my shoulder and was rubbing under his throat and it seemed to help. After that I was just giving him plain baby food chicken, no kibble and he seems to be doing okay with that. I just feed him smaller amounts and more often, about every 2 hours. His vet isn't in today so I will bring him in tomorrow just for him to check him out. I also want to ask lots of questions reguarding those two different bactrias he has. I need to know if it is something festering in my house. One of my friends mentioned the litter box. I hadn't thought of that. Also I feed about 4 or 5 homeless cats that aren't in the best of health. I already had one put down she was so bad off. Did I bring something into my house from them? I need to know more, my brain is just scrambling trying to figure this out. I think his antibotics are working because he hasn't had a fever in a day now. I keep thinking I hope I'm doing the right thing by him or am I just prolonging his suffering. I keep forgetting it has only been four days since surgery. I guess I just thought he would be his old self the next day, but them I remember when I had major surgery, I wanted to die the first two weeks after. I have heard that when fuzzies give up they stop eating, is that true? Thank God for FN cages. It has been so easy taking care of him in it. I was going to to put him in a smaller cage but the opening is on top and it would be to hard to take him in and out. I can also switch from the two main levels and always have one clean just in case. I'm also greatful that he is as fat as he is because he hasn't lost awhole lot of weight. He still has his fat neck and belly. I so glad it's the weekend. I can watch him more closely. So that's the update for now on my little fighter.
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Post by Heather on Nov 7, 2009 17:10:11 GMT -5
You're doing good by this little boy. Give him time, he's older they take much longer to heal, give the antibiotics time to work . Has he had any repeat episodes of pawing at his mouth? If so, very gently get someone else to scruff him so that he will yawn. Look into his mouth, check his throat, the roof of his mouth and along the gum line. Look for any redness, ulcers or sores. He may have had nothing more than something caught between his teeth, remember you're looking for trouble now, so every little thing he does is magnified. When ferrets give up they curl up in a corner, refuse to eat (they will actually refuse to swallow and allow the food to pour out of their mouths), they don't even get up to go potty. A depressed ferret is horrible to see. Unless, things have changed a lot from the time of this posting, I wouldn't say he was depressed, at least from your description. Good luck, keep us posted ciao
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Post by opiesmom on Nov 7, 2009 18:45:16 GMT -5
He hasn't pawd since last night. He also does't look depressed. You are right about looking for every little thing. It's nice to notice the good changes too. I'm going to look in his mouth. It won't hurt.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Nov 8, 2009 13:01:58 GMT -5
I'm glad to hear that's Opie's improving...this is gretat progress! So far, everything seems to be moving in the right direction (no setbacks). Pawing at the mouth could easily be realted to tummy upset from strong antibiotics. You may want to make sure he eats some soup before and after the meds are given (unless the meds should be given on an empty stomach. this would be stated on the perscription, and the vt would have mentioned it as well.) The nice part about giving a little soup after giving the meds is that it gets the yucky taste out of the mouth.
Ferrets are tough little guys, and it sounds like Opie is no exception...I suspet he'll come through all this with flying colors as long as you follow your vet's advice. It will take him a while..the older ferts do take longer with their recovery. The hard part about meds is that you really need to give the entire precription and follow up after that with the vet. Tough infectoions can return so a re-check a coupe of weeks after the meds are completed might be a good idea. You can ask your vet about this when Opie is at that point in his recovery.
I'm sending good thoughts and "fert prayers" for an extra-speedy recovery.
-jennifer
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Post by opiesmom on Nov 9, 2009 1:15:27 GMT -5
:)Opie saw the vet this afternoon and am I ever relieved. He thinks him pawing at his mouth is from the tube they inserted during surgery. No sores or anything. He checked his ears, lung and heart and all sound good. Before surgery he had a little fluid in his lungs, that's gone too. We will just wait a few more days to see if it the pawing goes away. He hasn't done it all day, that's good. The bacteria is something that grew inside of him and has nothing to do with at home, another big relieve. His gums are getting pink again, so that means his anemia is getting better. And the best part is that he gained over 1/2 pound. He now weighs 4lbs 7 oz. In the summer he weighed 4 lbs so he must have put on some winter weight. So he is doing really great. Now he just has to get stronger. He ordered his lupron, so he will be getting that soon. I feel like now I can relax a little. I justed wanted to share the good news.
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Post by Heather on Nov 9, 2009 2:13:23 GMT -5
That's wonderful news. Give Opie a big hug from me. Tell him to get strong. Keep us posted ciao
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Post by mustelidmusk on Nov 9, 2009 13:38:05 GMT -5
YAY!!! GREAT NEWS!!!! I can relate to the tube thing.....recovering from the throat irritation was much worse than recovering from the surgery - I am not joaking. It's like bad case of bronchitis high up in the upper respiratory system...the opening to the esophagus is sore, swollen, and the body generates mucous to coat the irritated tissue. It took over a week for that to heal. I thought I was coming down with a cough/sore throat/flu. Make sure your bady doesn't start sounding congested. It's probably very unlikely that he'll develop a true cough from the irritation, but ferrets can be so darn sensitive.
Hugs to Opie...I'm so happy he's doing better!
-jennifer
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Post by opiesmom on Nov 11, 2009 0:42:17 GMT -5
It has been one week now sice Opie's surgery and what a turn around. I would say he is at least 50% back to his old self. He stopped clawing at his mouth. He is up exploring and playing. He still gets tired fast. I only let him out for a few minutes at a time. He wants to get to the other levels in his fn but until his stitches come out on Sunday, I'm only keeping him on one level. I'm still watching him like a hawk. He is such a little trouper, I can't get over it. I never thought I could love a pet this much, he's like a baby to me. He is well worth the $1,500. I spent saving him. I will try to post a couple of pictures I took with my camera phone so they aren't that good. I will keep you all posted on his progress. Thanks for all you input. I'm very greatful to all your encouragement. This is a great forum. Attachments:
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Post by opiesmom on Nov 11, 2009 0:46:24 GMT -5
this is my first picture post so I'm sorry if I'm not doing it right.Here's another one Attachments:
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Post by sherrylynne on Nov 11, 2009 18:44:45 GMT -5
Awww, I'm so glad he's improving! He really is a fat floof, isn't he
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Post by mustelidmusk on Nov 11, 2009 20:05:15 GMT -5
Awwww - He's so adorable!!!!! I just want to sqeeze him and give him kisses ;D As he continues to improve, you'll want to watch him like a hawk. I would start getting a feel for how cold and wet his nose is...and you'll want to see a continued increase in energy level...he may had a tired day here or there, but if there seems to be a trend of sluggishness, or if his nose seems to be a bit warm and drier than normal, take him to the vet and have him checked out to make sure the infection is still completely gone. Once your little guy can return to a normal diet.... Make sure all foods given are fresh - If you do use kibble, make sure it's not close to expiration or expired. Kibbles can harbor rancid oils and aflatoxins, which can be very irritating (and can even result in death) You'll also want to make sure hair balls are not trying to accumulate, so a little oil (fish oil, olive oil) or pumpkin can be given on a regular basis. You'll want to keep things moving through his system (but no runs!). Probiotics may also help keep a better balance of bacteria in his system. -jennifer
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Post by opiesmom on Nov 12, 2009 0:01:25 GMT -5
You better believe I'm going to watch him. He is still on both of the antibiotics. After he finishes all of his meds he will get another blood test to make sure his blood count is okay. I talked to the vet about getting him on raw and he thought it was a good idea. I'm planning on starting another tread to get help on switching him over. I''m starting him on his kibble again with the baby food. He has evo for ferrets, 8 in 1 crunchy and supreem. I'm getting a new bag of the 8and 1 tomorrow. I'm not sure if now is a good time to switch. His nose is nice and pink again, before it was really pale. I can't believe how fast he is improving. Did you notice his big scar? His hair is already growing back. I can tell he's getting itchy so I can't wait until the stitches come out. I'm going to clean my floors really good before I let him roam free. Right now I'm watching him when he is playing and exploring. His wound is looking nice, no red or anything. I'm also checking his belly for any lumps and bumps. I think the reason he is doing so well is because how big he is. Almost five pound is the size of a small dog.lol. But he's doing great.
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