|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 25, 2008 19:07:11 GMT -5
I am sitting here in tears becuase my baby Tigger who was walking around mostly ok yesterday is curled up in his cage in a tight ball with his front paws curled underneath him. It reminds me of my grandfathers hands when he had arthritis really bad. Do ferrets get arthritis ( i would assume so) and if so is there anything that i can do. I am calling my vet as soon as they open tomorrow morning so that i can get him in but in the mean time is there anything i can do to make my baby Tigger feel better???
|
|
|
Post by Jaycee on Jul 25, 2008 21:26:19 GMT -5
I think every living creature, if age permits, will have arthritis somewhere in the body. I know as a therapist, heat helps relieve aching joints. However, with ferrets I am not so sure. You don't want to over heat them. What I would suggest, until you go to the vet, is comfortable bedding and walking areas. I would throw towels and cover and area that he walks around in, to cushion the floor. Imagine if your foot joints were eaten up with arthritis, and you had to walk barefoot on cold hard ground. I wish I could be more help, but this is the best I can come up with at the moment. I wish Tigger well, and hope to hear some good news tomorrow!
Oh, also, I would keep everything down low. Low beds, less climbing. That is tough on the joints. Do allow him to keep mobile, though. Stiffness in the joints can be more painful that the arthritis itself. Mobility is the key, but also keep mobility gentle.
|
|
|
Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 25, 2008 21:35:04 GMT -5
Oh! Oh! I know! I know! Yes ferrets can get arthritis, but your vet will have to confirm this. If it IS arthritis you can give him....... Chicken feet! They are a good natural source of glucosomine and chondroitin (which can help to relieve arthritis) www.hare-today.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=65Def. take him to the vet to rule out any other possible causes for his strange behavior, but if it IS arthritis, its good to know there are dietary additions you can make to help relieve the pain Hugs to Tigger.
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 26, 2008 7:34:34 GMT -5
thanks you too--we are allowing him to remain mobile and he can move better after he has been awake for a while--
Chicken feet huh?? ok!! those are easy enough to get. Right now i am waiting for 9 am so i can call the vet.
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 26, 2008 11:46:39 GMT -5
ok i took Tigger to the vet and he tested him for insulinoma---and its not, he also said that arthritis is uncommon in ferrets, esp in their feet and legs. As Tigger is not dehydrated and still eating fine he asked me to bring him back monday morning and he is going to keep him all and over night to run some more tests on him and to test him for insulinoma thoughout the day. He thinks that it could be something neurological. IF it is then there probally is not much that we can do for him. Please keep Tigger in your prayers.
|
|
|
Post by Jaycee on Jul 26, 2008 11:49:15 GMT -5
You know, I tend to be a skeptical person, but he said it is "uncommon" not impossible. I still think ferrets are lesser known in the vet world....a newer pet than cats and dogs. Why couldn't a ferret have arthritis? Dogs, cats and horses get it?
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 26, 2008 11:59:35 GMT -5
Oh it could be and he didnt say that it wasnt he just wants to run some other tests to be sure that it is nothing else and for that i do not fault him. My vet likes to cross his t's and cross his i's.
|
|
|
Post by Jaycee on Jul 26, 2008 12:14:44 GMT -5
That is some kind of vet you got there! Crosses both his t's an I's?
|
|
|
Post by mustelidmusk on Jul 26, 2008 13:04:38 GMT -5
Curling up in a tight ball cn be indicative of ay number of things - een a tummy ache. Artritis generally comes on more slowly (As an older "fert" (change the "e" to an "a" ), I speak from experience . Let your vet do his thing, and hopefully this will be something simple that just goes away like a tummy ache. I got my fingers crossed. Also, if it is neurological, I knew a ferret that lived a very happy life to the rigpe old age of 9. She hbbled around and tipped over at times, but she played with her brother and was very, very happy and loveable. Her silly little mannerisms just made her ean more endearing to our hearts. Like my vet always tells me when i'm panicking, "Think good thoughts". So many times I've been in tears - worried sick (liertally, and it trned out to be nothing terrible. We have fingers, toes and paws crossed for you!!! -jennifer
|
|
|
Post by josiesmom on Jul 26, 2008 13:05:52 GMT -5
How old is Tigger? Is Tigger responsive to you? Has he eaten?A soothing massage should help him feel better as well as loosen tense muscles and tendons.
Cheers, Kim
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 26, 2008 13:18:26 GMT -5
yes he is responsive. he is about 6 years old. he is eating fine and still climbs all over our cage and around the floor.
|
|
|
Post by josiesmom on Jul 26, 2008 16:36:42 GMT -5
So he just is curling into a ball while sleeping? I gather this is not his normal sleeping position? My guys sleep in all sorts of positions, sometimes curled, sometimes bent, sometimes upside down, sometimes dangling, sometimes in a knot.
When he is climbing his cage and moving around has there been a change in his gait?
Faylene my eldest moves in what I call a mincing way- she da-dink-da-dinks about until someone is hot on her tail and then she moves like quicksilver! Otherwise she just totters about like a dainty little girl tiptoeing through puddles.
Am interested in what your vet's ideas and tests might offer.
Cheers, Kim
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 26, 2008 16:57:32 GMT -5
I can tell you more about the vet after monday( i didnt go this morning my husband did) and the curling up into a ball is not the problem he holds his front paws curled up too and they are tight. also the front part of his body is in a tight unbending curl. you know when you pick up a sleeping ferret they are very pliable and just kinda move with you--well he is in a stiff tight half ball(front half of his body) and it stays that way for a few mins after waking up. also when he walks her takes a few steps and his front and rear are not alligened and he falls over every 2-3 steps.
|
|
|
Post by josiesmom on Jul 26, 2008 18:17:56 GMT -5
Oh I see why you are so upset now. Any chances he's taken a tumble? Or been stepped on? Does he have and chordata along his tail?
|
|
|
Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 26, 2008 20:55:50 GMT -5
Sorry Kim i was not clear enough with my first posts. and no there is no chordata on his tail. they only thing that could have stepped in him are other ferrets ( the dogs are not allowed in the room with the ferrets and the kids kinda stay away too cause they dont like being jumped on ) and i do not remember him falling of of anything in a while.
|
|