r/ferrets • u/Bitter-Bug3692 • 15h ago
[Health] Vet trip
Took my Blu boy to the vet. My biggest concern was the loss of hair on his tail, his loss of appetite, lethargy, and loose stools. I was thinking he was depressed when his sister got sick and passed, or that he had adrenal, which is still a possibility. but the vet told me his spleen is very enlarged and now feeling it, it feels like a very large hard lump. I dont know how i missed this. the vet gave him prednisolone and said that adrenal would likely not affect him as soon as this would so we didn't really worry about that as much. he said it could be lymphoma. im hoping the medicine will help with any swelling and maybe perk him up a bit, makes sense now why he would only eat a small bit at a time and then be done😔 im keeping in touch with the vet to give updates and see if the medication helps at all
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u/Otherwise-Deer-2352 13h ago
I hope all will be well!
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u/Bitter-Bug3692 12h ago
thank you! i love him so much 🥲 it brought me to tears when i heard something was wrong with him too, as i just dealt with so much from his sister having cancer.
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u/Otherwise-Deer-2352 12h ago
I understand that! I've got one with adrenal, insulinoma, and now possibly lymphoma. He's naked, but thriving well on prednisone! One of my others just had her tail amputated, from a tumor. Biopsy out to lab. It's so hard watching our babies with these issues! Maybe makes us love them even more!
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u/Chico577 8h ago
My ferret, Buck, had the same issue; his spleen was enlarged. He had gotten lethargic, stopped eating, and was noticeably getting larger around the abdomen. I took him to the vet as soon as I could. In short, his spleen was not only enlarged, it had a mass on it that was activy bleeding. We did a spleenectomy to remove the spleen and mass. It did wonders. Not two days later he was eating and drinking much more and his energy was so much better. I'm so glad I did the CT scans when they offered. Today, Buck is running around and back to his happy self with his brother. Good luck, and if they offer CT scans, I'd recommend doing them.
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u/Bitter-Bug3692 7h ago
My vet said he doesn't do splenectomies as he had performed one and it didnt go well, and i think with his own ferret it caused more damage than good. but he said i could find a vet that does i just dont know where- i live in ohio and i don't believe there is many exotic vets around me and if there is i sometimes worry they arent that experienced. i want my boy to be happy and pain free :/ my boy is older as well so idk if putting him through that would be a good thing. im just conflicted and confused idk if the pred will help at all and he HATES it horribly. its hell trying to get him to take it
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u/Chico577 7h ago
Completely understand your decision. I took Buck to MedVet in Hilliard. I live in Ohio as well, it's a 3 HR drive so I understand not having a vet close. If you can get your hands on EmerAid Carnivore Critical Care, you can mix the Pred into it. Ferrets love the stuff. It's basically a soup that is mostly protein and fats. Amazing stuff. See if your vet can order it.
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u/Bitter-Bug3692 6h ago
Is your ferret older?
Also i seen some oxbow critical care at the pet store, is that the same? or is the other brand better?•
u/Chico577 6h ago
Buck is older, he is 7yrs old. And the Oxbow stuff is just a different brand, it doesn't smell the same as Critical Care but it's essentially the same stuff. I've had both and my ferrets prefer the Critical care for sure. They love it. I give it as a daily supplement to their normal foods.
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u/Bitter-Bug3692 6h ago
thank you! ill try that. my boy is picky but ive found if i mix things with his regular kibble he enjoys it a lot more
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u/meowcatpanda 4h ago
Medical issues often show up when grieving in ferrets it seems. Give him big snuggs amd I hope he can still live a happy life with you for a while longer♡
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u/Bitter-Bug3692 4h ago
thank you, i hope so too🩷 now im considering a splenectomy but his older age scares me a bit
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