Sebastian has Liver issues...

[Queen of Poop]

http://www.imagestation.com/picture/sraid200/p2c657b2188ca5ffb9749feda08bf6267/f06412b8.jpg

My goodness, it's just over a month since we lost our ferret Miko and now I get the bad news from the vet that Sebastian has inflamation in the liver, shown by Saturday's blood test. I have to go after work today and pick up antibiotics and antioxidants for him.

He's been off of his kibble for a while, but would still eat the chicken soup. I thought maybe he was missing Miko and would get back to normal soon. That didn't happen. He's losing weight and won't even eat ferret treats - which he always loved.

So, here I go again, hoping my Sebastian will be alright. He's my last ferret from the original brood. This is so not fair.

[lv4dogs]

Oh no Gayle, I am so sorry. I hope Sebastian will be ok. Yous are in my prayers once again. hugs

[Kater]

Oh no, I'm so sorry to hear this. :( I will be praying for your sweet Sebastian.
I can't vouch for this product yet, as I'm still waiting for it to arrive...but I've read a lot of good reviews online for Rosie's Rosedust (http://www.rosiesrewards.com/pages/rosedust.html). Maybe you could consider this to jumpstart his appetite.
It's so hard when they don't eat..I'm going through it now with my cat, Nipo. You and your furry family will definitely be in my thoughts!! ((((HUGS))))

[My Peanuts]

I'm so sorry to hear this. Maybe the stress from Miko's passing brought on these problems. I hope he gets well soon.

[chocolatepuppy]

I hope Sebastion gets better soon.

[Queen of Poop]

Thanks everyone. I had to call the vet this morning. Sebastian's been on the meds since Monday evening. Had him out last night and after wrestling with my fleece pants he decided to fall asleep in them. He has never, ever fallen asleep anywhere but in his cage and then it is always grudgingly. Had him out this morning before work and he did it again. So I called the vet. I am to keep him on the meds for a few more days and see how he does. Likely we'll be seeing the vet again on Saturday as she thinks his "disease" is making him slow down.

On top of all the pet issues, I had my first mammogram on Monday morning, I have to go back at 10 am today, Wednesday morning, for more films. And the sweet woman told me not to stress!!

[lv4dogs]

Oh sweetie, you & Sebastian are in my prayers. hugs

[Van10]

I will be praying for you and Sebastian.

[Queen of Poop]

I did some reading about ferret liver issues and discovered that they can have milk thistle (for cleansing, rejuvinating the liver). Faxed the article to the vet and got his permission to put Sebastian on it. Started it last night, he will take it in his chicken soup no problem. We'll see if it makes a difference to his health. He's still not interested in kibble however. He was really fussy with his meds this morning, proceeded to spit out his antibiotic (all over his mommy). I don't know if it is because it tastes bad or its cold because it has to be kept in the fridge.

Thanks all for your good thoughts.

[chocolatepuppy]

Just checking in on Sebastian. I hope the milk thistle helps.

[My Peanuts]

I did some reading about ferret liver issues and discovered that they can have milk thistle (for cleansing, rejuvinating the liver). Faxed the article to the vet and got his permission to put Sebastian on it. Started it last night, he will take it in his chicken soup no problem. We'll see if it makes a difference to his health. He's still not interested in kibble however. He was really fussy with his meds this morning, proceeded to spit out his antibiotic (all over his mommy). I don't know if it is because it tastes bad or its cold because it has to be kept in the fridge.

Thanks all for your good thoughts.

My cockatiel Alex had liver problems. That's all the vet would call it after tons of tests, "liver problems". They put her on milk thistle and antibiotics and in a few weeks she was totally fine. She never has liver problems again after that. Good luck!

[Queen of Poop]

I am taking him back to the vet on Thursday to redo the bloodwork. I think the milk thistle is helping. He seems heavier, but his kibble intake is still lacking. He will now eat chicken soup with a teaspoon of cat food in it so that is progress. He still wants the dog kibble when he's out playing. It's too funny, he scratches the bag, I give him a couple of dog kibbles, he takes them behind the TV and crunches away. Silly boy. He also now has a strong dislike for the antibiotics and antioxidants they put him on. He will hardly hold still for me to administer them and when I do he fluffs up into a big ball of angry fur.

[My Peanuts]

Are the antibiotics liquid? The ones they gave Alex were and they were flavored like peanut butter. It's hard to give a bird that stuff, but she trusted me. I don't know much about ferrets, but if it's liquid maybe a pill in liver sausage or something like that would be better. That's how I give Jimmy his pills.

[Kater]

Still praying for Sebastian.
I finally got the Rosedust I mentioned earlier and think it was a factor in getting my Nipo eating again. It is worth trying!! It can be mixed with meds too.
More {{{HUGS}}} & good thoughts!!

[Queen of Poop]

Got the results from the vet late Friday. His one elevated liver value is back to normal, the other is still slightly elevated. His red/white cells are looking much better. He's done with the antibiotics (liquid) and the antioxidant (also a liquid) for now. He will go to the ferret sitter tonight with just his steriods. He's still not eating kibble, but perhaps being around 5 other ferrets for a week at the sitters will encourage eating. If it does I am seriously going to consider adopting a pal for Sebastian. Thanks all for your good thoughts for my sweet boy.

[Kater]

YAY!! GOOD NEWS!! :D
So glad to hear it! :) I hope he starts eating again soon!!

[husky 1]

Hi queen of poop , my 13.5 yr old husky has just been diagnosed with having liver problems , hes staying at the vets today to be fed a high fat food , then another blood test to check if his liver is working properly , we wont know this result un til the end of next week :( ,so i know how u are feeling.

[Lori Jordan]

I will keep the little guy in my prayers

[lv4dogs]

How has Sebastian been lately? Hope all is well.

[lv4dogs]

Gently bumping. I've been thinking of that boy of yours lately, hoping all is well.

[Queen of Poop]

Oh all is very well with Sebastian. We had a recheck of his blood this past weekend and the results came in on Monday. His blood is NORMAL. No more liver issues!!! But, he is losing hair, dry skin and very itchy. All signs of Adrenal disease - however he had BOTH of his adrenal glands removed over a year ago. ????? We gave him a lupron shot to see if that would ease his discomfort. So overall my boy is doing well, still won't eat ferret kibble, but loves his chicken soup. I need to download my camera as I have photos of him eating out of the dogs dish (likes the dog food) and hiding dog kibbles behind the couch.

[Zippy]

That is great that Sebastian is feeling better. :) :D :)

[lv4dogs]

Oh Gayle, thats great news! :D :D