sick ferret

[bbqbarbiedolls]

My ferret has recently been having diarrhea.  I got really worried because although I adopted him I do know that he came from pet co, which doesn't have the best reputation for how their animals are treated.  Besides that, he's only about four months old.  The diarrhea was green... but a more brown than green and it was dark green not slimy and neon green.  I've been feeding him supplement feedings of duck soup and giving him electrolyte replacement in his water.  However, I can't get him to the vet till Saturday and was wondering if there's anything else that I should be doing in the mean time.  I'm so scared for my little guy.  Although I've only had Bandit for a few weeks we're a very attached little pair and he's become one of my babies.

[taku]

It sounds like ECE, or green slime disease. Unfortunately it's common and contagious among pet store ferrets.
http://lib.store.yahoo.net/lib/theferretstore/v2i5.pdf
http://groups.msn.com/littlenorwayexpansion/ece.msnw

  Going to the vet is of utmost importance without waiting until Saturday. It doesn't take long for these guys to go downhill very quickly. Other parasitic infections must be ruled out..and are generally treated with antifungal/parasitic and/or bacterial medicines. Dehydration is what leads the ferret to a quick demise if left untreated.
   Please don't wait until Saturday. Do what must be done to work in a visit to the vet. It's not fair to let him or her suffer until saturday, regardless of the reason. Taking in a ferret is a huge responsibility, and proper care and medical instances should ALWAYS be considered before accepting such a responsibility. No one gets sick when it's convenient.
  Let us know how he or she is doing.

[bbqbarbiedolls]

First, let me start off by saying that I do understand the importance of taking him to the vet.  However, I cannot go till Saturday because of my job and I'm a full time college student so I cannot afford to take the time off.  Please do not be judgemental for I am truly doing the best that I can do under the circumstances.  I did not take him in without first considering the vet bills and everthing else that comes along with owning a ferret, however if I did not take him in when I did he'd probably be dead, so I think that he's better off with me.  Secondly, I have read up on green slime disease and his symptoms don't seem to match up with that.  The reason I posted this was to ask if there was anything else that I could do for him, not to be judged.  Thanks for the links and your concern though.

[Arlene]

He may have a heliobacter infection. This would also cause the symptoms he is having. In any case, he needs to see a vet. I don;t think anyone is judging you, dear. We are just very concerned. Diarrhea is very serious in ferrets and he can become dehydrated very quickly. All things considered, it sounds like you are really trying to take care of him. Here is a good article about Diarrhea in ferrets.

http://www.petplace.com/Articles/artPrinterFriendly.asp?all=1&artID=528&conID=16395

Good luck and please let us know how you are both doing!

[taku]

Topics and responses can be read by many people perhaps having the same issues. Many pet owners adopt pets without considering the financial burden, especially in exotic animals such as ferrets and even rats. These animals require much more veterinary care than many people assume at first. There is no waiting a couple of days when dehydration becomes severe in a ferret, or many other pets. Liver and kidney demise happens very quickly, and if there is a chance of recovery when care is delayed, it can be long and much more expensive than you can imagine. It can even result in chronic conditions that could mean lifelong treatments (more $$$).
   I totally understand commitments to work and to school, many people in this community have gone through or are going through exactly what you are, with many variables added. However, the cost and care of an animal, especially small and exotic creatures, have to be taken into consideration among the cirumstances. Those of us who have/had ferrets, or even researched ferret care, can tell you that diarrhea leads very quickly to dehydration and in no time can lead to serious complications. Taking the time off from immediate responsibilities can save you not only the money that you may incur by waiting until there's many serious complications that have to be taken care of because of delay, but it could cost you your ferrets life.
   Obviously you care  about your pets and their health, and I'm sure you'll do what is necessary; but I guarantee there will be someone with a ferret who reads this who didn't take any consideration into the costs involved, and they have many rational and irrational reasons for not taking their sick pet to the vet.  Perhaps what we've said will stimulate them to take their ill ferret (or any other pet) to the vet, or at least have them save up for when their animal needs medical treatment. I guarantee at some point in time it will.

[fuzzy_ferret_luver]

How's your ferret now?

I'm not a vet, but I do know that diarreah makes a ferret dehydrated fast, so keep up with the duck soup!