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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 28, 2008 16:23:03 GMT -5
Ok so Tigger spent the day at the vet. I got a call an hour ago to come and get him(hubby was in the area so he picked him up) we were expecting to him to spend the night but the vet thought it was not needed. The vet is sure that he does not have insulinoma. No drops in blood sure that were not normal after having fasted him. Its not distemper(didnt think so but checked anyway), anemia, low blood pressure, or adrenal disease(not that he thought it was). So that leaves arthritis or neurological disorder. He sent him home with some metacam--which one use is arthritis. He wants us to give him some each day for a week and see if we see any improvments. If we do then it problay is arthritis and we make him as comfortable as possible. Either way he will be allowed to waddle the best he can through the rest of his days how ever long that may be. Thank you all for your concern and help durring this time. IF anyone comes across anything they think it might be pplease let me know as my vet is willing to take suggestions.
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Post by tss on Jul 28, 2008 17:54:18 GMT -5
Matacam is very popular.. If it does help you might possibly look into ginger root and yucca root, my dog Bo has arthritis in one of his hips/legs, I give him the ground dehydrated roots every day and I can tell a big difference betwen when he has and hasn't had it. I started using it based on the research I'd found on people using it, since it is ground it is also easier to utilize. I made it at home, I bought some ginger and dug some yucca up from beside the house.
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 28, 2008 20:01:56 GMT -5
I know myself, I use Yucca and it makes a tremendous difference! It is a VERY fibrous plant though so how much use your ferret can get from a ground form will remain to be seen.
Yucca is known to help repair cartilage as well as be a natural pain killer and an anti inflammatory. Using yucca daily for me has kept me from getting double knee replacements since 1992!
Since I get relief from the pills I've never looked for a liquid version- which if there is one, would likely be easier if your ferret can gain benefit from this plant.
Also talk to your vet about Cetyl-M that is advertised on TV for arthritic animals.
Does Tigger seem more able to move when he is warmer? Look itno a safe low temp heating pad for him. But be EXTREMELY careful using one= ferrets are known to get burns from heating pads set too high because they sleep so soundly.
Poor little fuzzy, its frustrating to see them not their selves and not be able to "fix" them.
Other nutraceuticals that helps joint repair is MSM (methylsulfanylmethane) as well as chondroitin sulfate, and GAGs (glucosaminoglycans). MSM feeds the cells necessary sulfur which is crucial for cellular repair, the other two help cartilage repair.
I don't know the typical source that MSM comes from, but the product is odorless, tasteless crystalline substance that dissolve extremely fast. The chondroitin sulfate and GAGs are usually sourced from Bovine trachea, sometimes shark cartilage. I'd say these items would be very bioavailable to your ferrets- above what the yucca would be.
Hope this helps! Cheers, Kim
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 28, 2008 20:02:19 GMT -5
Thanks i will see if the meds work and if they do i will do the ground roots. my vet is really good when it comes to giving alt meds so i know he wont fight me on it
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jul 29, 2008 8:36:25 GMT -5
Hi Jasmine,
Does Tigger show constant neurological symptions? Specifically, has he had trouble wlking ever since he was curled up??? Or does he get significantly better, and then show signs again?
Although not impossible, arthritis in the legs woufd be pretty unusual for a ferret. I would epect arthritis would creep up more slowy.
Are both sides affected the same? (bilateral?) If so, this may suggest an issue with the head/neck/cervical spine area. CHordomas are not always located at the tail. Infecttion such as menningitis can also cause neurolgical signs - as can lymphoma. Aything that might be causing pressure on the brain or spine can cause neurological symptoms.
Does Tigger tilt his head? This can be a sign of a very deep ear infection - the kind that will require mild sedation for your vet to find.
Unfortunately, the"waiting game" is ll too common (and stressful) in health care, whether it be human of pet health care. Hang touh and watch carefully!
fingers, toes, and pws still crossed! -jennifer
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 29, 2008 13:17:30 GMT -5
No head tilt and no ear infection (the vet checked--he knows Tootsie who is Tiggers buddy has problems with getting ear infections so he checked him) One side is worse then other. I have not noticed a change in him no matter what temp in the house. He seemed to walk a little bit better after he was awake for a while not a whole lot better but some. He has had a little bit of problems walking for the last 6 months but nothing as bad as what is going on now ( took him to the vet back then too and no deffinate answers) the vet did check for tummors he did a cat scan and did not find anything that looks like a tumor. My vet did mention to me the name of a vet in Northern VA near DC that he has learned alot of ferret stuff from. He said that if things get worse and we can not figure it out he could see if this vet would see Tigger(it would mean a nice long drive and prob a over night stay-and to be honest not sure if we could afford the trip and the vet right now) I hate this waiting game and not being able to do anything. I went through this with my son and its fustrating.
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jul 29, 2008 13:57:27 GMT -5
There are so many possiblilities that you can drive yourself insane with worry and then find out the problem is not too significant. And it's possible that he may have done something wierd to himself while playing that has resulted in some sort of soft tissue inflammation that will take time to heal.
I shattered the arch of my foot last year. The CAT scan suggested that the surgery should take about 15 minutes. The surgery took over an hour and a half! So Tigger could have some general calcium/cartilage overgrowth that may be causing some irritation. Sometimes when something swells, it aggrevates some nerves, and the swelling persists. SOmetimes steriods can help with these kinds of problems.
We'll all be thinking good thoughts for you! -jennifer
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Post by tss on Jul 29, 2008 20:55:01 GMT -5
As Jennifer said before it could be a head/neck/cervical spine issue. I posted about a rabbit I got a couple months ago, it had nerve damage due to a failed attempt to kill it. Although it seemed pretty normal it had trouble with it's back legs and would wobble horribly and flop over when it attempted to walk. The yucca and ginger would still help though, as they anti-inflammatories.
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Post by weloveourweasels on Jul 30, 2008 16:12:22 GMT -5
How is Tigger going on the Metcam?
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Post by Forum Administrator on Jul 30, 2008 21:10:33 GMT -5
Hoping that Tigger feels better soon. Sending love, hugs, and kisses from Auntie Giuli!
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 31, 2008 7:26:13 GMT -5
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Post by mustelidmusk on Jul 31, 2008 8:10:56 GMT -5
It's so impossible to tell what's going on, but eating well is a very good sign. Since Tigger has had some minor issues before, whatever is troubling him may be slow changing, and it just got to the point where a nerve is being compresed. Stiffness when you get up and first start moving is consistent with arthrits - I can tell you that much from experience. Hugs and kisses to Tigger -jennifer
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