From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-05-20 01:15:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Dr. Williams, please advise
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "B" <rikkie2000@a...> wrote:
> My six year old male periodically does grind his teeth, however he
> continues to eat. March of 2000 he had a bad bout and lost alot of
> weight, which he has never fully gained back. I attributed that to
a
> reaction to his vacinations, which he had both at the same time. He
> also had a spell of seedy diarreah this past March and was put on
> antiobiotics.He was very weak in the hind quarters and lethargic.
> Although I feel that my vet is ferret knowledgeble, or the best in
> the area, I am not confident in his diagnosis's. Thanks for any
> suggestions that you may offer.
Dear Sue -
Tooth grinding is a sign of abdominal pain, and gastric ulcers are by
far the most common cause. Not all ulcers result in total anorexia,
but they may. It seems as if it might have been worse back in March,
but many ulcers do tend to wax and wane.
Ulcers generally don't cause seedy diarrhea, so there is likely
something else going on. Without more history, and knowing if there
were any new animals introducted during this time, I am at a loss to
say exactly what though.
At six years old, with this history of GIproblems, I think that a
strong consideration should be given to Helicobacter infection -
which may result in ulcers, and which may result in diarrhea.
I think that in this case, I would need a more specific history with
at a minimum, the results of any testing that has been done, what
antibiotics have been used, what diet he is currently on, etc.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM, DACVP
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