Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Our Sneaker was very ill last night. He's about 4 y.o. We let him out to play. He was extremely lethargic, glassy-eyed, would take a couple steps and then sit down. Ate a Bandit very reluctantly and then immediately vomited it back up. Sat in Mama's lap without moving (very unusual).
We took him to the emergency vet (who admitted she wasn't very experienced with ferrets). He perked up a bit once we got to the vet but was still sedate. X-rays showed no masses or tumors. We have noticed a weight loss in the last several months but thought that was from the stress of a new baby in the house. No hair loss.
The vet gave a rule-out diagnosis of insulinoma. We're seeing our regular vet today. Any other ideas?

Unfortunately ferrets can have a ton of problems that all show the same signs. It could be insulinoma, ECE, ulcers, it is just too hard to tell with these little guys. Take your ferret as soon as you can to a vet that knows about them and get the full check done. In the meantime make sure that your little guy is eating and drinking. Chicken baby food is great for times like this when a fuzzy is not able to keep down food. Also, if need be give some pedialyte to keep the little one from getting dehydrated. Good luck!

ditto to ferret fan. get his blood checked, sugar checked, anything else the vet can think of. how did the first vet rule out insulinoma? i have been told that physically feelig for tumors is not a good and reliable way to check. good luck for your little guy

sarah
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Sarah
|1 paradise fish, Otis|1 green iguana, Zephyr|2 ferrets,Kody & Roxy|6 painted turtles, Mikka, Leo, Don, Raphy, April, & Poe|5 goldfish, Curly, Moe, Shark, Wiggle, & Fishie Joe|2 applesnails, Timmy & Tommy|2 hedgehogs, Aiden & Loribelle|1 mud turtle, Bug|

Sneaker's doing better but his condition is still unknown. The emergency vet gave him fluids (he was slightly dehydrated), and his weight was back up to normal at the vet the next day. The emergency vet gave him a tenative diagnosis of insulinoma to be ruled-out by the regular vet, as she was inexperienced with ferrets. The next morning, our regular vet did a fasting glucose. His blood sugar was within acceptable limits. But he had a "remarkable" amount of blood in his urine, 4 times what is considered the level for a bladder infection. He's on antibiotics now with a follow-up next week. I'm going to get the vet a better urine sample next week for a culture. His energy level is still down but he seems to be feeling okay other than that. Urine and feces seem fine. Any ideas?
Does anyone have any experience with geriatric ferret food? He's on Marshall Feed now and I've seen Marshall Geriatric but he's very sensitive to food changes.