Rogue Update!

Another update on my precious little man.
Took him to the vet today. He really is a mystery. She seriously had no idea what to do for him. After examining him, being unable to get a heart rate (she guesstimated it at 300 beats/min ) and with a respiratory rate of 90 she could really hear him struggling to breathe. My choices were:

1) have him hospitalized and put on oxygen to see if it helps at all --> this was VERY strongly suggested
-or-
2) get some x-rays done to see if something shows up that did not last time, in hopes that it was progressive and something, anything would show up --> this is pretty much his only chance
-or-
3) put him back on antibiotics for 2 weeks and just hope that it helps some --> really, this is just to buy me some time

Because of the ridiculous amounts of vet bills I have had with him lately, I ended up going with option 3. I really had no money to do anything else, and figured that would at least buy me some time. I actually have no idea what I am going to do, and it scares me. He -needs- the xrays, I know he does. I just do not have the money right now, and will not in time, most likely

Any suggestions as to what I can do?
I have nothing that I can sell, and really nothing that I can do to sell online or anything.

(((((hugs)))))

Hope you are able to find an answer for all this very soon!!

Do what you feel is best and don't say " what if " .

Maybe your vet will let you make payments. It's worth asking. (((hugs)))

hae you tried CareCredit? If your vet wont take payments, that is

Jess, can you list his symptoms and history for me? I mean, is it upper respiratory, asthma, or something else?? I have a bad memory and I'm sorry if you've posted it before.
Maybe we can brainstorm ideas. Do you belong to any ferret forums?
Also, if you don't mind, I have a friend who's active in the local ferret rescue, and maybe if I share it with her she may have some ideas. My (ferret) vet always tells me that x-rays don't show very much unless its serious, blockage or breakage. If she wasn't on maternity leave I'd call her and ask her for you!

Poor lil Roguey! I hope he feels better soon If its more of an upper respiratory thing I've heard people stick the cage in a bathroom with hot shower running, and vapor rub to make it easier to breath. I've done it with rats, but not ferrets Maybe a more "holistic" route may be worth a try, it seems the "traditional" medicine is only working temporary.

Baby sitting or pet sitting helps me when money gets tight here!

Brattina, we are not sure what it is. At first we were sure it was asthma, but listening to him today she said it does not sound like that. We think it may be a tumor in his stomach (pretty likely) and that it is pushing up on his lungs. I do belong to the ferret.com forum, and have asked there as well. Oops, sorry, his symptoms are laboured breathing and poop troubles (going 30+ times a day, luckily no more diarrhea)
I do not mind at all, that would actually be great the more people I have known about it, the better chance of giving this guy a normal life. And yah, that is the thing we are hoping with the xray.. that it will show a tumor, or a blockage. Something, ANYTHING, that will give us a hint as to what is going on. Honestly, right now, all that we can think of is to keep running tests and hope that something gives us a hint as to what direction to go. Even if it tells me it is time to say goodbye to him, atleast I will know there was nothing else I could do.

Grab - we do not have carecredit here in Canada

Honestly, the vet is doing amazing to help as much as they can. But, I can only expect them to do so much. I am getting everything discounted and at cost, so really for them to pay the people, they need my money when it is done. They are not losing money on me or anything... but are not gaining much (if any) either.

Jess, might I suggest you join Ferret Village

thanks! I did not know about that one! (not that I needed another forum or anything... lol )

There's also the holistic ferret forum, And ferret harmony

Did your vet mention anything or feel to see if the spleen is enlarged? I have to say I'm stumped, but hopefully someone else will recognize the symptoms!

Would you parents be willing to loan you the money? I'd hate to ask my parents, A LOT, but if they had the extra money I bet they'd help me out. I don't know your exact situation so I hope I'm not way out of line or being offensive lol. Just a thought.

Damnit, I am going to be overrun by forums now, even more so

IIRC, his spleen was enlarged, and his liver counts were high. His platelet counts were low, but other than that all the bloodwork came back normal as per last time.

My parents love the ferts, but they really do not have the money to loan me, even if they wanted to My dad has been off work since august due to an injury, so we are off just the one salar, really

I don't really have any ideas

Has his breathing improved any?