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Post by sexyreno on Dec 10, 2010 0:44:14 GMT -5
So my wife and I's ferret has been acting a little strange for the past few days. He's become kinda lethargic BUT he still eats, drinks and poops normally. We only have one ferret but our ferret has never acted lethargic before this. He'll still play but when playing is done he'll just lay down on his tummy and stay there for about 5 minutes then get up and slowly walk away then lay down again. It's december here in washington and starting to be colder and there's lot less sun. He's gained a little weight for his winter storage. He's about 2 years old, we've had him for about a year and a half and he was found in a parking garage. Any ideas why this could be happening?
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Post by lunarfault on Dec 10, 2010 8:22:32 GMT -5
This is not good. Ferrets normally do not behave this way and it is a strong warning sign that something is wrong. Take him to the vet immediately. Both of my males did this and within a month they died, of different things.
Things I recommend checking is his fecal and blood. This is common behavior for insulinoma and anemia. The blood test is the most important as it will reveal the problem more clearly. You should also check him for dehydration, which is also a vet visit. Either way take him to a vet immediately.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Dec 10, 2010 12:52:24 GMT -5
Lunarfaul has provded a very good recommendation. -jennifer
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Post by Heather on Dec 10, 2010 14:11:16 GMT -5
I agree, get this little one to the vets. These are warning signs that something is indeed wrong. The signs are too ambiguous to make a diagnosis or even a suggested one. That's the problem when dealing with ferrets, if one catches the more subtle signs (like you have) and get them to a vet asap, you can often get a proper diagnosis with some tests. It may be something as simple as an infection that requires antibiotics, but there are many other horrible diseases that these little ones are prone to that also exhibit these particular symptoms. A good vet will be able to help you narrow down these possibilities, and with a diagnosis be able to treat you little one. Good luck, keep us posted ciao
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Post by 3kaw on Dec 10, 2010 21:16:09 GMT -5
How he doing? Any update from the vet? Thinking of your little one, hoping you get answers.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Dec 10, 2010 21:54:22 GMT -5
ferrets (no matter how old they are) are ALWAYS curious, running around, getting into everything. the behavior that you described is never a good sign. but impossible to know what it is. you should take him to a vet for x-rays, blood tests. how is his poop? does he look glassy eyed or spaced out? is he grinding his teeth? has he gotten into something or eaten something that he is not supposed to?
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Post by sexyreno on Dec 12, 2010 1:27:21 GMT -5
I have not been able to take him to a vet yet as I'm currently looking for one in my area. The one that my cat vet recommended, and the only one near, said my ferret's tail was yellowing because he obviously pees on it. But not on his tummy. Not the best vet in the world.
His stool and urine are both normal. I don't believe he's eaten anything out of the norm. He seems attentive enough. My wife and I are visiting her aunt and uncle for the weekend and his behavior is seeming a little more normal. When he comes up to someone he no longer lays down exhausted but stands at attention looking up at the person he's near. He still vanishes for long periods of time but that is normal in this loud household. He usually finds someone's bed to sleep in.
He still seems to laydown a bit more then usual though and doesn't struggle as much in a persons arms. But as I type he's scurrying under the sheets of my bed.
Thanks for the help and info. I'll get him to a vet as soon as I can.
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sherik
Going Natural
Posts: 105
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Post by sherik on Dec 12, 2010 12:45:25 GMT -5
I doubt his tail is yellow because he pees on it. Some ferrets just have a yellow tinge to them. My ferret Indy for example should have been named OJ. He is white but not really. Maybe your little guy has a flu bug? Was anyone sick around him? Just make sure he is eating and drinking properly. And find a vet ASAP, cause you never know with ferrets, they are good at hiding illnesses and can go downhill fast.
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Post by sexyreno on Dec 12, 2010 14:44:03 GMT -5
I doubt his tail is yellow because he pees on it. Some ferrets just have a yellow tinge to them. My ferret Indy for example should have been named OJ. He is white but not really. Maybe your little guy has a flu bug? Was anyone sick around him? Just make sure he is eating and drinking properly. And find a vet ASAP, cause you never know with ferrets, they are good at hiding illnesses and can go downhill fast. Yeah, we found out via ferret sites like this one that mostly white ferrets often have a yellowing tail once they start growing up. Found and cleaned his poop corner (he's mostly catbox trained but still uses the bathroom corner. It's50/50 really) anyhoo, found yesterday morning/afternoon's poop and it was a christmas tree green on bottom and normal brown on top. Now I'm wondering what he got into. But this is fruitloop household and there are like 5 people here at all times so it's a mystery what he finds here. No luck on vet yet, going to go to the ferret rescue shelter on mon and see if they know of a vet in the area.
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 12, 2010 15:11:37 GMT -5
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Post by sexyreno on Dec 12, 2010 17:25:43 GMT -5
Thank you so much! :heart:
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Post by sexyreno on Dec 14, 2010 23:49:52 GMT -5
So he's healthy, thought that he may have had a cold and with the winter and me working I may be messing his sleep schedule up. Monitoring him closely for signs of anything else.
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Post by Heather on Dec 14, 2010 23:59:20 GMT -5
Good luck, I hope it's just the sniffles . Oh, just a word....ferrets can't get a cold...it's one of the virus they can't get but they can get upper respiratory infections ciao
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Post by 3kaw on Dec 15, 2010 15:35:32 GMT -5
Glad to hear he's doing better.
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 16, 2010 0:22:25 GMT -5
Fingers crossed he makes a full recovery!
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