I have an older ferret that has lost the use of his front legs.?

Question

What are some things I can do to make his life easier?

he is happy he plays with the other ferrets. He is not miserable.

the vet feels like it is arthritis

He still eats on his own (hard food) and still gets to his water botle.
I guess I should have been more clear about what I was asking.
Sorry.

Answer 1

Have you taken him to the vet, sometimes animals will lose the use of their legs due to a urinary tract blockage. This can sometimes be cured, with medicine and special diet, you really have to get a vet involved. I don't know enough about the life span of ferrets, so I don't know if this is an older animal or not. If you have been to the vet and there isn't anything more the vet can do, as long as the ferret is not in pain, I don't know what a mobility solution would be. There are little wheeled carts available for dogs and cats for when they've lost the use of their back legs, I don't know if you could use something like this and reverse it so that the ferret could push himself along. Good luck to you both!

Answer 2

DONT PUT IT TO SLEEP!!! He probably just pinched a nerve. He'll probably just need some TLC and time and maybe a little vet care for the animal equivalent of steroids and then be fine. Even if it is permanet, they make little wheeled contraptions that fit over the legs and function like a ferret wheel chair. Ferrets adapt very well and are so smart that he should be fine. Just make sure his cage is only one level for now so he can't fall and get him to the vet. If you even think about putting him down, think about what if he was going to be fine and you killed him and you will have to live the rest of your life knowing that. Just imagine his cute little face asking you what he ever did to make you hate him enough to kill him, and I'm sure that you'll make the right decision.

Answer 3

It's time to let him go to the Rainbow Bridge. There's nothing more you can do. Take him to the vet and have him put down. He may not be suffering yet but his quality of life is waning. You could feed him by syringe and comfort him but you would probably only be doing for yourself. www.rainbowbridge.com......he will be in a better place! His friends and family will meet him on the other side. I am sure my rattie Marybaby will be there to say hi!!! She was a bouncy friendly kissy lil thing in her life here...she'll be there to help. He'll be running again with the other ferrets there. It won't be easy but it will be the best. Seriously go to www.rainbowbridge.com after you have put him down. It will help you in your mourning process. It is hard when you lose someone you love. I am sorry if I sound insensitive or cruel but letting him go would be best. {{{{HUGS}}}}} to you and your ferret.

Answer 4

The best thing you can do is just make sure he always has easy access to water and food, change his cage every day... nothing out of the ordinary. He will just need a little extra TLC now.

If you think he is in physical pain, I would suggest taking him to your vet to see if there is anything else you can do. Otherwise, I'm sure he's enjoying life the way all ferrets seems to... he's entered his "golden years".

Good luck ;)

Answer 5

Seriously, put him to sleep....an animal that uses all four legs and only two of them work, has no life at all...the only other thing is to get a wheel chair for him...I don't know if they make them for the front end.

I'd let him go.

Answer 6

I think it is time to take your farret to the vet and have it put to sleep, it is the kindest and gentlist thing you can do.

Answer 7

Make a sock out of it

Answer 8

Put him down. It is the kindest thing to do.

Answer 9

Soup or BBQ

Answer 10

kill it, its life is over, put it out of its misery