very poorly ferret

[josaphine32]

Hi, One of my ferrets has come down with an upper respiratory infection, she has ulcers on her throat and full of cold, she was picked on really bad at the rspca where i got her from 2 years ago and has allways been very skinny but she is so sweet loves to lay on her back and have her tummy rubbed,........ she wont eat obviously through her sore throat, i have tried raw chicken, cooked chicken with eggs, eggs she loves and that wont tempt her, she has just started having funny pooh, green/yellow, the vets have given me synulox that i have to syringe twice aday, ( first lot 6pm she and i got covered in it)........Can anyone help with what else to feed her, I dont want to force feed her but she is so very thin, and the vet says she is also very thin she is still quite lively at times and it will take a few days for the antibiotics to fit in but any advice is much appreciated, i would give her caviar if i knew she would eat it..........

[Schutzengel]

Hello Josephine. Sorry to hear your little ferret is so poorly, suggest you persevere with the Synulox, how are you giving it to her. Have you got a syringe with the measure on it, if so that should be OK, but try giving it very slowly, as if the liquid goes into her mouth too quickly, she'll just spit it out all over herself. I've just spoken to my next door neighbour who keeps and breeds ferrets, and is very knowledgeable, about feeding your ferret while her throat is so sore. So here are his suggestions -
Cooked white fish, or salmon, or tinned sardine (the type that is tinned in oil). Any of these mashed up very small.
Or raw liver chopped up very fine. These are all high protein which she needs if she's very thin, to help build her up. Also these will slip down her throat easily while it is still sore. He also suggests getting some liquid glucose from the chemists. Mix a small amount (say 2 teaspoons) with the raw yolk of 1 egg (not the white part). He says the glucose will build up her energy level. Have you only the one ferret? He also asked what she has to sleep in, if it's hay this can sometimes be a bit musty, which can cause respiratory infection, and he suggests using dust-free wood shavings (that what his ferrets sleep in), obtainable from good pet stores. We do hope she soon recovers. It would be nice if you could let us know, how things are progressing. Good luck. Schutz.

[Schutzengel]

Oops!!! Sorry, just realised you have more than one ferret. Can you keep the poorly one separate from the others, or they could all end up infected.
Schutz.

[terambulan]

sounds like pneumonia & diorhea.....stop food as you're only feeding germ. She needs fluid; only cooled boiled water for 24hrs - you may have to syringe it in, say 3 times whole day. Add glucose to water (after 24hrs) for some energy.

Keep her really warm - under a heat lamp or in airing cupboard till stronger.

[josaphine32]

Thank you Schutzengel,
I have just given her her second lot of synulox, I am off to asda in a bit to get some liver and sardines, Her pooh is a little better today, ithink she got so stressed yesterday at the vets, she sleeps in a huge chicken coop with a built in house, The vet said to keep her with bob the hob as he will keep her warm, she was warm as toast when i checked on her, the vet advised not to seperating them as it is upper respiratory he has been already exposed to it, She gave me loads of antibiotics (syringe) just in case he goes down with it,
Thankyou

and i will keep in touch on progress

[Schutzengel]

Hi Josephine. Sounds as if you have a very good vet. Pleased to hear your ferret was nice and warm this morning. Have you just got the two ferrets? Is your hob entire or has he had a vasectomy? Hope things continue to progress OK. Please keep in touch. Schutz.

[josaphine32]

Bob the hob has been neutered along with emma, They get on really well together, I went to asda bought some liver and liquidised that with the egg yolk but they both looked at me to as if i was trying to poison them....lol, so liver is a no no, They always have James wellbeloved ferret food, I got my sardines for later tonight to give that ago, I also got some white fish, I don't know anything about there background at all as they both were found wandering the streets (apart),
I don't think they were bred for ferreting as we tried to play with them with a bit of rabbit fur and they didn't have a clue what it was, We tried meat in the past with them bit there just not intrested but she must be eating some food as she is poohing a little, We will waite and see, Fussy little Bu@@ers.

[Schutzengel]

Hi Josephine. It seems that perhaps they both were escaped pets, and they're so lucky to have found a lovely home with you. I had to smile when you said you would even buy them caviar if they would eat it. :-) All our pets are precious, and nothing is too much trouble for us to do for them, and yes they are fussy no matter what species they are. My three cats are all fussy and all like different types of food, and know how to show their disgust if they are offered something different. Hope things continue to progress well. Here's a few cuddles for Emma and Bob, when Emma is feeling a bit better. Cheers. Schutz.

[Beatrice35]

Sorry to interrupt here- Schutz please pray for my hubby who is having chest pains + is just under an hour from home ( driving home). My surgery is contacting him by his mobile to try to persuade him to go to the nearest hospital right now. Thanks for your prayers Schutzengel. Bea