hurt mink!!!!

[cmjust0]

It needs actual medical care, not just supportive therapy.

 

[into_my_web]

Well, we've called places and basically they just say to put it down.
I don't think it should be put down because it is showing a lot of progress.
It's actually trying to walk now and opening it's eyes.

 

[xyresicchick]

i would say continue the supportive care and keep calling about the mink to wildlife centers. once he's on his way to health they will be more likely to take him. i would say keep going unless it's obvious HE's giving up. animals know when it's their time. if it's not, they will keep fighting it and try to be alive still.

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

Quote:
Ditto. There's got to be a wildlife rescue somewhere that can give you good information. If it doesn't eat after three days then I think it's cruel to keep it alive as it will only slowly starve to death. Since it's showing interest in food and may be weak from it's ordeal (I'm thinking maybe it escaped a hawk) I would put some food on the end of a popsicle stick and use the stick to gently pry it's mouth to see if, once tasting the food, will eat on it's own. I don't see anything wrong with trying to get it to eat as it will give it strength. If it just plain won't take the food then I do think the kinder thing is to let him go.

To answer your question about keeping it...sure, I would keep it if it couldn't be returned to the wild but seemed to be doing good under your care.

I think it's wonderfully compassionate.

 

[cmjust0]

I'm not saying your heart's not in the right place, and I'm not saying to put it down.. I'm just saying that this animal probably needs more than a syringe full of slurried food.

Have you tried calling a vet to ask about obtaining anything I mentioned earlier? The lactated ringer's alone would probably do him a lot of good...

 

[Avla]

Sometimes the best thing to do is put an animal out of his/her misery.

 

[wegotchickens]

And sometimes you have to follow your heart and learn Life Lessons through experience.

You said he's taken both food and water, is he eliminating waste as well? If not, that's a bad sign. If he is, then analyzing that may tell you something about his health as well.

 

[into_my_web]

he eliminating waste

 

[FireTigeris]

Call the vets and tell him/her its a young ferret that got dumped on you by an irreplaceable person (well whoever hit it) and see if that helps... I had to say my duck was a 'pet bird' instead of a duck to get into the emergency vet.

its all in presentation... if they figure out its a mink, be surprised and ask about the laws and if the vet will see to it getting to rehab.

 

[Akane]

By law vets cannot give you anything or treat the animal in any way so it may be very very difficult to get any medication or treatment for a wild animal. Unless you have a very close relationship with a very laid back vet it's probably not going to happen. Wildlife rehabbers are unlikely to put in the effort unless the animal looks like it will recover so at this point most will put it down. If this animal does get better and you do not return it to the wild keep in mind that you are breaking the law by having it. Going around advertising may not be a good idea. When dealing with wildlife unless you have some under the table help supportive care is about all you've got. I did find that ferrets could have 1/4th of a baby aspirin a day if absolutely necessary. The otc anti-inflammatories are all hard on the stomach and internal organs of animals so you have to be careful with them. I also found that penicillin G is approved for use in mink but I could not find a specific dosage chart. Only a vague one for all livestock that said down to 1 kg (2.2lbs) to give 1/4ml.