From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-04-30 14:05:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Coccidia in kits
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Maryi Mauney" <MMAUNEY@s...> wrote:
> Anyway, What signs do I need to look for in Streaker? I have
sterilized EVERYTHING. She is on anti-biotics. How common is this in
the US?
>
> Thank you for listening. Bye, Bye Sable. Mommy, Daddy, and Streaker
will miss you. You are a permanent part of our lives. We WILL make
something good come of this!!!!!!!
Dear Maryi:
I am sorry for your loss. Coccidia is not uncommon in the U.S., and
life-threatening conditions occur most often in kits. Adults tend to
tolerate and eventually clear the infection. Dengerous infection may
occur in the very young and very old.
Coccidia infect the lining of the intestinal tract, and in younger
animals, almost every cell is infected withthe organism. The
organisms tend to hatch all at one, resulting intotal denudation of
segments of intestine, with hemorrhage, and absorption of intestinal
contents directly into the bloodstream.
In most cases, diarrhea is a consistent sign, and in severe cases,
the diarrhea may be bloody (some of the blood coming from shock as
well.) So, look for diarrhea.
Coccidia generally respond well to administration of Albon, a sulfa-
based antibiotic. It is important to treat all ferrets which have
had more than transient exposure to infected animals.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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