From:
Karen Purcell, DVM
Date: 2001-08-01 15:12:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Digest Number 319
Doreen,
> Hi All, I really could use some second opinions on alternate ulcer treatments for my ferrets. I have 2 ferrets that have had GI ulcers since March of this year, post op adrenal disease and gastric
> March of this year. I am about at the end of my rope with almost 6 months of no more than 3.5 hours sleep at a time, except for their first postop night when I let them stay at the vet's for observa
>
> My main concern is that they don't seem to be getting any better at all. Are there any alternate treatments that actually work for GI ulcers. I have wondered about parenteral usage of cimitidine, s
> equately, it's because i am handfeeding and scooping water for them. neither initiates any action towards independent eating/drinking, and i have to physically hold them and let them lick the food o
>
> thanks for any suggestions that can be offered.
The question at this stage is: are you still dealing with ulcers?
The long term cases I'm dealing with have cleared the ulcers - no
more melena (black, tarry stools), very little signs of nausea, just
chronic vomiting and terrible appetites. These have turned out to
have inflammatory bowel disease (confirmed by biopsy). These are
responsive to prednisone and imuran in combination (excellent article
in the latest AFA report on this), and in the case of persistent
vomiting, I have been using injectable metoclopramide SQ as needed.
Hope this helps (BTW, one of these cases is my own ferret - I know
what you are going through),
-Dr. Karen
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