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Post by KD on Dec 30, 2010 13:59:34 GMT -5
I was wondering if you guys might be able to tell me if what I'm hearing is normal. When Munster eats he always makes a sound that sounds like a cough-hiccup and I can't tell where the sound is coming from, or why it is doing so. He will continue to make rattling noises for about 10 minutes after he's eating, and I'm worried he is eating incorrectly for some reason, or if there's a physiologic reason. When Luna had her teeth extracted last week I asked if she could eat solid food and my vet said it would not be a problem. She said since they don't really chew their food that much in the first place they wouldn't know a difference. I'm probably over-reacting, but I have this paranoia that it could be megaesophagus only because my friends dog was just diagnosed with this and the symptoms seem similar; rattle breathing due to inhaling food/water, vomiting, and some other things. Munster isn't vomiting, but he occasionally dry heaves. Next time Munster eats I'll try to record the sounds he makes, in the mean time do you guys know what this could be? Do your little ones make similar sounds when they eat?
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Post by Jackie on Dec 30, 2010 17:07:22 GMT -5
Are they eating very quickly? Sometimes Trixie really enjoys a soup and will eat too fast and get water or food down the wrong pipe.
What teeth did Luna have removed?
Have they been around any sick people? Ferrets can get upper respiratory infections.
Good luck and hope your little ones feel better!
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Post by sherrylynne on Dec 30, 2010 20:54:52 GMT -5
With megaesophagus, he'd also be losing a lot of weight, since there would be no real nutrition getting into him. So it's doubtful that's it. Not sure about what you are hearing, but my guys frequently make weird noises when they are eating, especially if they really enjoy it. Is he becoming lethargic? Eating/drinking/peeing/pooping normally? Playing?
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Post by KD on Dec 30, 2010 21:34:18 GMT -5
None of the "symptoms" show anything life threatening, so I guess I'll keep watching them.
He's not lethargic just stubborn and bored, and everything seems fairly normal.
Probably just me being over-protective, haha.
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Post by Heather on Dec 30, 2010 22:16:15 GMT -5
About 6 months or so, on the ferrethealth list, there was an incidence of megaesophagus, 2 actually. There is some information on miamiferret.org/megaesophagus.htm Check it out. The one thing mentioned is the gurgling and rumbling sounds are heard. If the ferret doesn't vomit and the food does pool in the esophagus and then enters the stomach a loud noise can be heard (which sounds like water going down a drain). I have a little marshals boy. He's got a lot of physical problems but he has deformed nasal passages, and the connection to his trachea is also deformed. He makes a strange hoover type noise when eating. He continues to gurgle and snuffle for about half an hour or so after eating and sometimes off and on during the day (it's not necessarily related to food) Now, if you listen carefully Boris, doesn't really gurgle (though is sounds like that to begin with), it's more the intake of breath mixed with swallowing (two things that shouldn't happen at the same time ) He plays, eats and lives a great life. He's just a little different . If you suspect that he has mega...you need to get him to a vet ASAP, early diagnosis and treatment is absolutely necessary. ciao
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