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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 16, 2008 20:29:33 GMT -5
This is my first time posting here and I dont know if this is a crazy question or not, but my ferret is dry heaving almost like he has a furball but nothing is coming out. He has a really hard time breathing when this happens and he makes the most horiffic sounds ever that just scare me. These 'spells' last a few mins and they dont happen every day but I've seen them happen 2 to 3 times in a day. Do you guys have any idea what this could be and if so do you have any suggestions that could help me out??
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2008 20:30:45 GMT -5
How long has this been going on? Is your ferret eating and drinking normally? Is your ferret going to the bathroom (pee and poop)?
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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 16, 2008 20:37:14 GMT -5
It's been going on for about a week now. And he's eating and drinking normal. but i've noticed that when it happens he tries to drink some water but it doesnt seem to help. His stool and pee are normal also.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2008 20:43:28 GMT -5
Is it like a sudden hacking sound, it lasts a few seconds, then he shakes him self (like a dog that gets water on himself) and then he acts fine and goes back to whatever he is doing?
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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 16, 2008 20:47:22 GMT -5
almost only it last a few mins, but he does shake himself like water is on him. the cough is almost like having mucos in your throat and it not coming out. and him trying to drink water does not help seems like it only makes it worse.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2008 20:51:19 GMT -5
Hmmmm....sometimes ferrets will do a quick little hacky-cough thing, and that is normal, but for it to last several minutes kind of makes me worried.
Is your ferret on preventative for heartworm?
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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 16, 2008 20:57:42 GMT -5
To be honest I'm really not sure. I know that sounds horrible. I know the place where we got gave him some shots but we have not taken him to get any shots. but he's never been around any other animals.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2008 21:01:34 GMT -5
Hmm.....would he say he is "coughing"?
From what you are describing it could be several different things, unfourtunately I am not a vet, so I can't make a diagnosis. From what you are describing I *would* advise making an appointment to see a vet. You can never be too careful with these guys, sometimes something seemingly minor can be pretty serious, at the same time, sometimes things that are seemingly minor ARE minor, but its always best to rule out the possibility that it is something more serious.
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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 16, 2008 21:12:10 GMT -5
I will call the vet tomorrow and see if we can find out what's going on. thanks for talking to me about this. it's nice to talk about this to someome who loves their carpet sharks too
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 16, 2008 21:49:33 GMT -5
I wish I could help you right here over the internet, but I just can't diagnose online. I hope your baby is alright and that its nothing serious. Please let us know how the vet visit goes.
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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 17, 2008 14:35:00 GMT -5
Never thought it would be so difficult to find a Dr that knows about ferrets. I called about 20 vets today and only 5 of them had a Dr that handled and/or specialized in ferrets. I don't want to take him to a vet that's just a "vet" I want him to go to a Dr that knows about ferrets and knows that he's doing with my little guy. I'm very protective of him Hopefully we will have an app. for him next week and we will find out what's going on. Today he's doing good he's not heaving and he's eating and drinking great. I did check his stool today when I cleaned his litter but I didnt see anything out of the ordinary, so that makes me a little worried. I'll let you know what the Dr. says.
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Post by Forum Administrator on Oct 17, 2008 15:15:35 GMT -5
Yes, it can certainly be tough to find a good ferret doctor, some vets will even say they know about ferrets, but when you visist it becomes apparent that they dont know a thing about ferrets. Here is a list of questions I usually ask my vet to get an idea if they know what they are talking about. Dont feel bad for "interviewing" your vet, you pay THEM so if you arent satisfied you can always find another vet: 1. Are you familiar with adrenal disease in ferrets? (They SHOULD be familiar, they should be able to tell you the clinical signs of adrenal disease, and what adrenal disease actually is. Here is some info on adrenal disease: www.miamiferret.org/fhc/basics.htm)2. How do you treat adrenal disease in the ferret? (Your vet should mention melatonin implants, Lupron injections, and surgery. He/she should be able to tell you that the method of treatment depends on the particular ferret.) 3. Have you performed adrenal surgery on ferrets before? (It would be ideal if they did, its okay if they havent, but you will need to seek out another vet to perform adrenal surgery on your ferret, should he ever become adrenal in the future). 4. What vaccinations do you recommend for ferrets? (They should advise the Imrab-3 rabies vaccine, and the purevax ferret-specific distemper vaccine). The vet should also know how to scruff and handle the ferret, they should not seem uncomfortable in any way when holding the ferret. There are other things you can pick up on to see if they are a competant ferret vet, but the things about are just the bare basics. If you look online to see if there is a ferret shelter in your area (check here: www.ferret.org/links/shelters.html) you can ask them who they use for *their* vet. Also, check out this list (it lists vets that are members of the american ferret association): www.ferret.org/links/vets.html
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Post by tsslilsis on Oct 17, 2008 15:32:41 GMT -5
If you will read this, it sounds like what was going on with my Ravi. holisticferret.proboards80.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=care&thread=1471I found apon scruffing him and looking at the back of his tongue that it WAS indeed fur that got back there and was irritating his throat. I'd suggest you check out the back of your little ones throat. He sounded very sick when infact he wasn't sick at all. -~Ketlin
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Post by mustelidmusk on Oct 18, 2008 11:36:33 GMT -5
There's always one tell-tale sign for heart/lung issue...EXERCISE A cough related to heart/lung issues (or something pressing on heart/lung) will get WORSE when the animal exerts himself. It is shedding season, and dry hacking coughs/gagging can be COMMON during shedding. hairball remedies should be given during shedding season. But please be aware that fine fuzzy fur can stick like glue on the back of the tongue, and it can sit there regardless of drinking water, etc. This happened to me from kissing the brats during shedding season - thought that fur was going to be there forever!!!! Hairball remedies poabably won't dislodge the stuck fine fur. but you need to brush or "pluck" loose fur from your ferrets to help prevent fur balls - and you need to change bedding as well. My one boy i such a drama queen - he'll hack and gag until I pick him up. As soon as he gets attention, he stops - so he use this to get attention. So, there's a very good hace theat your ferret is fine. BUT...it's good to find a ferret vet in advance of REALLY needing one for an emergency. You may want to go to the American Ferret Assoc. website - they have a list of ferret vets by state. Also, if you post a question on ferret forums/groups letting people know where you live, you may get a good reference for a vet that's near by. -jennifer
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Post by jupitermoon4 on Oct 20, 2008 23:40:06 GMT -5
Well good news, he's fine We gave him some furball stuff and rubbed his throat a little and then he was fine. I did check his poo and there were bits of hair in there, so I'm sure that's all it was. Thank goodness. Thank you all for your help with this, you all are great
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