I have a ferret and I let him run loose as I do with my cats he has a cage but only goes in to sleep and or if he is in trouble. About a week ago he get under the sofa and got smashed, his whole neck was being smashed by two metal bars under there, I found him and took him to the vet. The vst told me that he would be fine and that it was just going to be swollen and we gave him some shots and I gave him steriods for a couple of days its been about a week if not longer and his neck is still extremly swollen and he walks kind of funny now and is alot less active then he used to be also I find him sleeping more often and eating less, the vet kept saying he would be ok but i am still worried, any thought on what should be done now?
2006-07-18 05:14:34 · 10 answers · asked by johnprahl 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
First off, I'm sorry you have to go through this with your fuzzy, it's scary. I almost killed mine with the couch two weeks ago, by rolling it over to get him and pinning him under the front of the couch. Once I noticed I flipped the couch back and tried to grab him. He bit me viciously several times and passed out, going into respiratory arrest. I had to do rescue breathing on him.
The vet treated him for shock, did x-rays and put him on Prednisone for a week. My little guy is okay, but a little more subdued than usual. He wasn't as feisty as he used to be for a few days, but he's over that. Sorry, just thought I'd share that, because I do know how you're feeling.
I also agree with most of the other answers, that you should definitely get him seen again, at least by the original vet, but maybe better by a different one for a second opinion. He should be better by now.
I sure hope he'll be alright. Ferts are so precious, gotta love them.
Contact me if you want, and let me know what came of it.
2006-07-19 01:11:19 · answer #1 · answered by Huh? 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I think a week is a pretty long time for him not to be better. Usually if a treatment is not making things better in a couple days, or it it is getting worse, a new treatment should be tried. Maybe the steroids or the other medicines were stopped too soon. Talk it over with the vet, and think about getting a second opinion. Even if your vet is experienced with ferrets, 2 heads are still better than one! Ferrets have such a high metabolism that they need to eat a lot, and his ability to heal will be compromised if he is unable to eat well. It is also possible that it could have been more damaged than the vet originally thought, and he may need to be XRayed to see what is going on. I really hope he gets better soon! I hope he can breath OK, since his neck is swollen. You can try giving him canned cat food or cooked chicken/beef mixed with his food, along with ferrettone and nutrical for supplements. You may want to keep him confined in case he makes it worse by moving around and bumping into things the way they do. Good Luck!
2006-07-18 05:43:17 · answer #2 · answered by Emily 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you have a ferret club or association call them and tell them close to where you live... they will be able to help you find a different vet... I would go there for a second oppinion... if not then find another exotics vet in your area... this sounds like he has a broken bone some where...
after he gets better make sure you ferret proof your couch better... I have a fouton so that I can see what my fuzzies are doing under there...
You can put a piece of ply wood under there so he can't get under your couch any more...
Also since he isn't eatting get some Duk Soup and try to feed it to him when he is up... if will help him get the minerals and protein he needs...
2006-07-18 11:40:49 · answer #3 · answered by A_Soldiers_Wife 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As others have suggested, I would take your ferret to another vet for a 2nd opinion. If your vet isn't willing to take some additional steps to find out what is still causing his problems, find someone who will. And about the Ensure someone else suggested, I wouldn't recommend it. You can get a product called Ferretvite ,which is good for extra calories, just to make sure your ferret's nutritional needs are being met. And they love the taste of it, so that's a plus. Good luck!
2006-07-18 10:43:05 · answer #4 · answered by peacegirl_00 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I accidently stepped on my ferret a few years ago, and bruised her side and caused internal bruising. The vet put her on antibiotics, and after she took it easy she was fine in about a week. Try waiting a few more days, and If you're still concerned about your ferret getting enough to eat, try supplementing their food with a little vanilla flavored ensure (those supplement shake things for old people) and if your ferret still isn't feeling/looking better in a few days, take them back into the vet. If things deteriorate, call the vet immediately.
2006-07-18 05:29:11 · answer #5 · answered by redmariquita8 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am sorry but i would take him to another vet i had this happened with my dog i took him to a vet and they sent me home and he got sicker thought the night my vet was closed so it wasn't' my vet i took him to and they sent me home saying he should be fine he just might have ate something bring him back in 3 days well that night he seemed sicker so i called my vet the first thing in the morning and they told me to bring him in asap and i did and if i didn't he would be dead he had a major intestinal infection and had to be at my vets for 3 days any way if your are really worried take him to another vet just like humans some time we need a second op pinion if that vet says the same thing then hey you will be a least more relived and not worried i Praise you for taking your ferret to vet and being so concerned about him but please if you are really worried take him back or get a second opinion and if you can did they take x-rays i hope so.
2006-07-18 16:18:56 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might want to call another vet. It seems that your vet isn't taking you seriously. The treatments aren't working and something else needs to be done.
The ferret could have an infection that is spreading and needs treated.
Good luck!
2006-07-18 05:34:14 · answer #7 · answered by Jen 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would take it to another vet to get another opinion..The first one might have been wrong.I have used lots of vets over the years for different animals and some of them are just plain stupid and don't know much, and other are wonderful.Again,if it were me I would go to another vet and see what they say.
2006-07-18 06:27:12 · answer #8 · answered by NicoleinPA 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'd call the vet & ask them. Sounds like they messed up.
2006-07-18 05:22:35 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am not really sure what to tell you but just baby him for a while and do some nice things for him.
2006-07-18 05:19:54 · answer #10 · answered by karayz2004 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋