Post by lbethharris on May 10, 2005 15:10:07 GMT -5
GASTORINTESTINAL OBSTRUCTIONS
WHAT IS A OBSTRUCTION/BLOCKAGE:
An intestinal blockage or obstruction is anything the ferret has eaten that cannot be digested or passed in normal elimination of bodily waste. Blockages are one of the major causes of premature death in ferrets.
CAUSES:
Some of the causes of obstructions in ferrets are rubber bands, nuts, small toys, soft rubber, plastic bags, pieces of cloth, clumping litter, styrofoam, vinyl (squeak) toy, strings, pieces of stuffed animals and even dried fruits. Also, hairballs from grooming themselves can cause a blockage mainly during shedding season.
SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS
Signs of gastrointestinal obstruction vary with the location of the obstruction within the stomach or intestinal tract. Foreign bodies in the stomach may just sit within the stomach, causing irritation or may completely obstruct outflow to the small intestine. Due to the narrow diameter of the small intestine, many foreign bodies in this location cause a complete obstruction.
In a complete obstruction signs may be as follows: lack of appetite, vomiting or gagging, absence of stools or dark, tarry stools. Also, the ferret may have abdominal pain and nausea that it shows by increased salivation, grinding teeth, pawing at its mouth, or remaining in a hunched position.
With a partial obstruction the clinical signs may be more subtle or prolonged. Signs to look for are same as above as well as changes in appetite, loss of weight, dehydration, dark, tarry stools, thin stools, difficulty trying to use the bathroom, decrease in activity, pale gums or tongue, and/or possibly bloated or tight stomach.
Some ferrets may show all of the signs or maybe just one or two. If you suspect a blockage, contact your vet immediately. It could be life or death.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Abdominal radiographs (x-rays) are the most important test. Unfortunately, rubber and latex does not show up on a x-ray.
Blood tests are often recommended to assess the general health of the sick ferret and as part of a pre-surgery work-up. This usually includes a complete blood count (CBC) and a plasma chemistry profile.
TREATMENT
Some partial blockages can be passed through the normal eliminating process with help from a lubricant given by mouth. Others have to be surgically removed by a veterinarian.
Surgery includes the sick ferret being stabilized by administration of fluids, electrolytes, and supportive care prior to the procedure. The majority of foreign objects have to be removed through a surgical incision. This requires general anesthesia and usually 2-3 days of hospitalization. After surgery the recovering ferret will require home care described below. Treatment usually costs around $200 to $800 (depending on what state you live in) for tests, surgery, and after surgery check-ups.
HOME CARE
Ferrets that have undergone surgical treatment are usually sent home 2-3 days after the surgery. Cage rest is necessary until the incision heals, about 5-7 days. This means no bathing, no exercise, and no climbing up in multilevel cages or pet hammocks.
In multi-ferret households, surgical patients need to be caged separately from the others until the incision is healed, about 5-7 days. This is to decrease "rough-housing" and prevent licking at the surgery site by the other ferrets.
Owners must examine the surgical incision daily and report any excessive redness or licking at the site. Most ferrets leave the incision alone.
Skin sutures (stitches) are usually removed in 10-14 days. Some surgeons place absorbable sutures under the skin that are not visible and do not have to be removed.
Most ferrets are eating and acting normally within a week.
PREVENTATIVE CARE
All homes must be "ferret-proofed". Remove all objects that might become chew-toys for the ferret: inappropriate toys, shoes, wires, and household items. Monitor the ferret's bowel movements periodically and then daily if the ferret is suspected of eating something foreign. Pieces of objects can sometimes be identified within the stool. Use a hairball laxative 1/2 inch 3 times weekly and one inch daily during peak shedding periods or if your ferret has itchy skin. The cat laxatives also work well for ferrets.
Some of the ferret safe (approved) preventatives are Marshall Ferret Lax, 8-in-1 Pet Kittymalt, Tomlyn Ferret Laxatone, Tomlyn Laxastat, Superior Choice Hairball Remedy by Ferret Store. For ferrets with insulinoma Vaseline is recommended.
Whick ever lax you choose should have petrolatum or petroleum jelly (white petrolatum, white petroleum jelly... same name) since this is the main ingredient in prevention of hairballs. (Thanks Artroxy)
There are also hairball remedy treats that are safe but do not prevent hairballs.
References and sites
www.veterinarypartner.com/content.plx?P=A&A=669&S=5&SourceID=43 General info
www.everythingferret.com/gatrointestinal_disorders_in_ferrets General info
www.heidihoefer.com/pages/ferrets/gi_foreign_body Best detailed info on the net (site done by vet)
www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part5 General Info
WHAT IS A OBSTRUCTION/BLOCKAGE:
An intestinal blockage or obstruction is anything the ferret has eaten that cannot be digested or passed in normal elimination of bodily waste. Blockages are one of the major causes of premature death in ferrets.
CAUSES:
Some of the causes of obstructions in ferrets are rubber bands, nuts, small toys, soft rubber, plastic bags, pieces of cloth, clumping litter, styrofoam, vinyl (squeak) toy, strings, pieces of stuffed animals and even dried fruits. Also, hairballs from grooming themselves can cause a blockage mainly during shedding season.
SIGNS OR SYMPTOMS
Signs of gastrointestinal obstruction vary with the location of the obstruction within the stomach or intestinal tract. Foreign bodies in the stomach may just sit within the stomach, causing irritation or may completely obstruct outflow to the small intestine. Due to the narrow diameter of the small intestine, many foreign bodies in this location cause a complete obstruction.
In a complete obstruction signs may be as follows: lack of appetite, vomiting or gagging, absence of stools or dark, tarry stools. Also, the ferret may have abdominal pain and nausea that it shows by increased salivation, grinding teeth, pawing at its mouth, or remaining in a hunched position.
With a partial obstruction the clinical signs may be more subtle or prolonged. Signs to look for are same as above as well as changes in appetite, loss of weight, dehydration, dark, tarry stools, thin stools, difficulty trying to use the bathroom, decrease in activity, pale gums or tongue, and/or possibly bloated or tight stomach.
Some ferrets may show all of the signs or maybe just one or two. If you suspect a blockage, contact your vet immediately. It could be life or death.
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS
Abdominal radiographs (x-rays) are the most important test. Unfortunately, rubber and latex does not show up on a x-ray.
Blood tests are often recommended to assess the general health of the sick ferret and as part of a pre-surgery work-up. This usually includes a complete blood count (CBC) and a plasma chemistry profile.
TREATMENT
Some partial blockages can be passed through the normal eliminating process with help from a lubricant given by mouth. Others have to be surgically removed by a veterinarian.
Surgery includes the sick ferret being stabilized by administration of fluids, electrolytes, and supportive care prior to the procedure. The majority of foreign objects have to be removed through a surgical incision. This requires general anesthesia and usually 2-3 days of hospitalization. After surgery the recovering ferret will require home care described below. Treatment usually costs around $200 to $800 (depending on what state you live in) for tests, surgery, and after surgery check-ups.
HOME CARE
Ferrets that have undergone surgical treatment are usually sent home 2-3 days after the surgery. Cage rest is necessary until the incision heals, about 5-7 days. This means no bathing, no exercise, and no climbing up in multilevel cages or pet hammocks.
In multi-ferret households, surgical patients need to be caged separately from the others until the incision is healed, about 5-7 days. This is to decrease "rough-housing" and prevent licking at the surgery site by the other ferrets.
Owners must examine the surgical incision daily and report any excessive redness or licking at the site. Most ferrets leave the incision alone.
Skin sutures (stitches) are usually removed in 10-14 days. Some surgeons place absorbable sutures under the skin that are not visible and do not have to be removed.
Most ferrets are eating and acting normally within a week.
PREVENTATIVE CARE
All homes must be "ferret-proofed". Remove all objects that might become chew-toys for the ferret: inappropriate toys, shoes, wires, and household items. Monitor the ferret's bowel movements periodically and then daily if the ferret is suspected of eating something foreign. Pieces of objects can sometimes be identified within the stool. Use a hairball laxative 1/2 inch 3 times weekly and one inch daily during peak shedding periods or if your ferret has itchy skin. The cat laxatives also work well for ferrets.
Some of the ferret safe (approved) preventatives are Marshall Ferret Lax, 8-in-1 Pet Kittymalt, Tomlyn Ferret Laxatone, Tomlyn Laxastat, Superior Choice Hairball Remedy by Ferret Store. For ferrets with insulinoma Vaseline is recommended.
Whick ever lax you choose should have petrolatum or petroleum jelly (white petrolatum, white petroleum jelly... same name) since this is the main ingredient in prevention of hairballs. (Thanks Artroxy)
There are also hairball remedy treats that are safe but do not prevent hairballs.
References and sites
www.veterinarypartner.com/content.plx?P=A&A=669&S=5&SourceID=43 General info
www.everythingferret.com/gatrointestinal_disorders_in_ferrets General info
www.heidihoefer.com/pages/ferrets/gi_foreign_body Best detailed info on the net (site done by vet)
www.ferretcentral.org/faq/part5 General Info
all my kids are doing well otter is getting real beefy feeling <winter weight?> and his coat is getting real soft not many noticeable changes overall,, new guy is getting big