Max developed a cough that was suspected to have been caught from the other ferret in the household , and a surgical site infection 1 week after surgery ( Figure 20 ). During this time , he was described to be ‘ biting at his hips ’, as if in discomfort or pain .
Figure 21 . Max being encouraged to walk in warm shallow water . Photo permission from Nadene Stapleton .
Figure 20 . The surgical site infection on Max ' s right hip . Photo permission from Michelle Howe .
Culture and sensitivity testing were declined and inhouse examination revealed no bacteria or neutrophils . Both the infection and the cough were treated with co-amoxiclav ( Synulox palatable drops ) ( 20 mg / kg ) and meloxicam ( 0.2 mg / kg ), and the surgical site was cleaned with saline . Max ' s hindlimb use improved .
Lead exercise was also prescribed ( Figures 22 and 23 ), with obstacles to build up his muscle mass . These rehabilitation interventions proved successful and , in a telephone follow-up 6 months later , it was reported that Max had almost returned to normal mobility , with occasional drifting sideways when running , and a ‘ dip ’ over the right hip when walking . He played well with the other ferret and had lost weight , and his owner was pleased with his progress . In Max ' s 12-month telephone follow-up , his owner reported that he had returned to normal mobility .
Several weeks after surgery , he was presented again , with watery eyes and swollen lymph nodes , and he had stopped using his hindlegs again . He had developed a lump over the surgical site on the left hip . He was restarted on co-amoxiclav and meloxicam .
Radiography was carried out and fine-needle aspirates of the lump were taken under general anaesthesia once the clinical signs of infection had resolved . The radiographs were unremarkable , and cytology of the aspirates from the lump showed only fat and no evidence of infection or inflammation .
The consensus was that Max ' s continued reluctance to use his hindlimbs was behavioural / habitual . The recommendation was for Max to lose weight , as he was still overweight ( his body condition score around this time was described as 6 / 6 ), and start hydrotherapy .
Hydrotherapy was initially trialled on Max in hospital , with a reduced water depth so he could walk in the water ( Figure 21 ), which proved to be effective ( as ferrets swim using only their forelegs ).
Figure 22 . Max enjoying some exercise on a lead . Photo permission from Michelle Howe .
40 Veterinary Nursing Journal