From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2001-04-16 15:48:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] ECE help.
Hi Cherri,
ECE is a disease caused by a corona virus. (Most small
animal vets are familiar with corona virus infections in puppies.)
The aim of treatment is basically supportive care. The ferret does
not
eat and drink as much as normal, and they usually become dehydrated.
SQ fluids can be giving to maintain normal hydration. Hill's A/D or
Gerbers baby food (chicken or turkey) can be used to feed your
ferrets while they are sick. In addition an antibiotic may be used
to prevent further problems from bacteria. This would be a good
thing for your insulinoma ferret. Some will also give something
to help firm up the feces and to slow down water loss in the
diarrhea
such as Immodium a/d, Kaeopectate, or Amforol. Some will
give pepto to help coat the stomach and help with the nausea.
Others will give an antacid such as Pepcid, Zantac, or Tagamet
to help with the nausea. The 2 big things for your insulinoma ferret
are fluid therapy, and getting her to eat as much as you can.
This is a frustrating disease because we do not have anything that
will kill the corona virus, so we have to treat the symptoms until
they get over the illness.
The good news is most recover from this disease, but it does take
the
older ones and ones with other problems (insulinoma, etc.) longer to
recover.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM