My 6 month old ferret ate a cigarrette filter. The last time he did he pooped it out (after spending $250 at the er vet). I know we got lucky that time, but what are the chances he'll pass it again w/ no problem?? What do u recommend I do?
2007-07-03 14:07:06 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
It was a non-smoked filter and the last time he did this the dr. at the vet gave him sub -q fluids to hopefull lubricate things and he ended up pooping it out when we got home...Should I just wait?
2007-07-03 14:22:29 · update #1
First off, the stuff Dr.Fitzgerald gave the ferret on TV WAS pumpkin PIE filling. Secondly, the ferret in that case had rubber particles in his stomach, not a big dry chunk of filter material.
The question is how much or how big a piece of the filter did your ferret eat?
If it's a pretty good size piece it may not even move into the intestines but set up shop in the stomach and cause all kinds of problems there. It will reduce the amount of food your ferret will consume leading to malnutrition and eventually collect enough hair around it to start blocking the exit to the intestinal tract.
Give him a healthy dose of FerretLax for now(you do have that, don't you???)which should be a staple in every ferret owners emergeny kit (you do have one of those, right???).
Should you not have that you CAN use vaseline and maybe mix some FerreTone with it if you have it.
Watch your ferret closely and make sure he keeps eating, drinking and pooping. Take a close look at his poops. I go as far as pulling them apart with toothpicks when I'm looking for something to be passed. The filter will not digest so it will show up in one of his stools IF it gets passed. Ferrets have a high turnover rate on food, so it should really show up by tomorrow, if it hasn't, go to your regular vet and explain your situation.
Good luck with your fuzzy, hope all comes out alright (no pun intended). Keep me posted if you like.
PS: Quit smoking!!!! It's bad for your health (and obviously for the health of your pets).
2007-07-04 07:19:09 · answer #1 · answered by Huh? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Didn't learn very much from the first time, eh? :p
You might not be able to avoid a trip to the vet. Whether or not he is able to pass the cigarette filter is up to, well, his body, and all I can say is that a cigarette filter is a pretty big thing for a ferret to swallow. But he might be fine, look out for signs of blockage(vomiting, poor appetite or no appetite, no stool, skinny stool or loose stool, straining to defecate, dehydration, hypoglycemia, lethargy, signs of abdominal pain.) and if he appears to be sick take him to the vet. If not, consider yourself lucky and call it a day.
2007-07-03 21:21:00 · answer #2 · answered by Karma Police 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should have ferret-lax around. I give it to them in case they swallow something they may lick off their fur. Or you could try some raisins or apple juice. If he chewed it up there may be no problem. I've heard that styrofoam and rubber bands can be fatal because they're insoluble. Actually, their intestines are so short you'll know pretty soon.
2007-07-04 01:12:19 · answer #3 · answered by The man in the back 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Could cause a blockage or the toxins in the filter could make him sick. I'd call the vet or take him in.
2007-07-03 21:18:08 · answer #4 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
stay calm, wait a little bit to see if he's ok, but if he starts showing signs of gettin worse than take him to the vet ok?
sorry if this wasn't helpful, good luck
2007-07-03 21:13:19 · answer #5 · answered by Make.It.Rain 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
feed him canned pumpkin. Not the pie filling though. It will lube him up
2007-07-03 21:32:47 · answer #6 · answered by hummi22689 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
give him some castor oil
2007-07-03 21:47:53 · answer #7 · answered by skeeter195848 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
give him sweet potatoes -
2007-07-03 21:15:05 · answer #8 · answered by Nan74 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋