taratee
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Posts: 255
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Post by taratee on Jan 12, 2011 13:56:55 GMT -5
what worried me is the discharge not the fur change :/
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xeopse
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Raw Feeder
Posts: 235
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Post by xeopse on Jan 12, 2011 14:09:29 GMT -5
I know =/ She saw a vet before for it (he's the head vet for one of the ivy league schools... so he's no dummy, just not a traditional practicing vet) and he said she's just a genetically oddball ferret and this might "just be her" He said she shows no symptoms of pain, illness, no temp, her x-rays showed no obstruction or anything. Her heart was rounder than normal ferrets according to another vet that deals specifically with laboratory animals (since these are lab animals) and her lymph nodes were big. But no signs of pain, holding her weight, eats fine, poops fine, acts fine... they both couldn't justify putting her under and we couldn't get any blood from her at all.
So now I'm looking for a vet that works way more with ferrets. I'm calling again tomorrow to get into the exotics department where she'll have everything diagnostically available to her AND all her bloodwork and everything can be free because it'll be run through the university she is from. I'll obviously have ot pay for everything else, but once I get a diagnosis or a better idea of what to look for, we can go back to the university where all her care is free.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Jan 12, 2011 14:47:33 GMT -5
never had a ferret with crusties around their eyes. and i have had my share of old, debilitated, sick ferrets. you name it, i've gone through it. do the crusts come off? does it look like her skin is flaking around the eyes? is she vaccinated for distemper?
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xeopse
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Raw Feeder
Posts: 235
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Post by xeopse on Jan 12, 2011 15:01:49 GMT -5
Nope, crusty came off no problem. No flaking. It just looked like some goop got there.
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xeopse
Cageless and Roamin' Free
Raw Feeder
Posts: 235
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Post by xeopse on Jan 12, 2011 15:02:13 GMT -5
And yes, she is vaccinated for distemper and rabies.
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Post by miamiferret2 on Jan 12, 2011 18:34:08 GMT -5
Hmmm. I'm stumped. I am with you-don't sweat the coat changes. I would def get the discharge checked out.
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Post by novemberkris on Jan 12, 2011 21:40:39 GMT -5
Paulie has a white mask in the summer, but looks as in my sig in the winter. His whole head color changes. This season (he is three) has been his most drastic change. He was in a basement with no natural sun for two years (finished basement in my bedroom) when I had to live with my parents. He returned to natural light in August. He went almost bald when he shed his undercoat all at once almost this season. He is now putting in an incredibly dark coat. I don't think I can qualify him as silver this winter. He is a black mitt. When he finishes growing in the hair I will share--he is so dark this year. So don't feel to weird about the drastic color change. Heads seems to be the speace where white and dark changes with the season. Just my observation.
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Post by sherrylynne on Jan 12, 2011 22:32:31 GMT -5
As for the diet- stick to your guns. You know it's the best diet, so simply "agree to disagree". If the vet has a problem with this, tell him you would prefer to see a different vet. That will frequently give them a wake up call. If not- then you know you can't deal with this person, and tell the reception that every time you call for an appointment. As for her discharge, try soaking her bottom in some warm saline a couple times a day. It took care of Sinnead's before I could get her into the vets. If it doesn't clear it up, then some antibiotics would likely help her.
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Post by Heather on Jan 13, 2011 0:45:04 GMT -5
I know this sounds really stupid, but are you sure someone didn't muck up her spay?? she sounds like a ferret going into season All it takes is some of the organic matter to have been left behind. The intact fuzz are starting to come into season in some areas. Her coat change (other than the colour) appears to be a kit coat becoming adult coat...the colour is extreme. Anyway, I would definitely have her tested for a bacterial infection but if nothing comes of it....maybe it's just her. She is "different" You will have to clean her up if she doesn't clean herself well or you may get an infection but other than that.... ciao
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Post by Heather on Jan 13, 2011 0:46:27 GMT -5
Oh, just thought of something can I bum a couple of your photos and show them to a friend and see what she says? She's a long time breeder and she might have some insight into this ciao
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