From:
Dr. Bruce Williams
Date: 2001-03-03 19:40:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Flagyl - surface application
Dear Debi:
I am very interested in hearing how this works out for you, and for
any others that are trying this transdermal formula.
Try as I might, I have yet to find any validation of transdermal
Flagyl in humans. This is truly uncharted waters. My concern about
transdermal Flagyl is that it is prescribed for the most part for
Helicobacter and Giardia, two intraluminal GI parasites.
Now for a transdermal to work properly, it must be absorbed across
the skin, realize significant blood levels, be carried into the
vasculature of the stomach and intestine, and secreted into the lumen
by the epithelial cells of the stomach and intestine. While I know
that intestinal cells have the ability to secrete some chemicals, I
am not sure about the stomach.
When administering this medication orally, it is fairly easy to
establish the levels of antibiotic within the lumen of the intestine
which will eliminate the parasite. It is just not clear to me
whether blood-borne Flagyl can get to where it is needed in
significant levels.
This is NOT to say that the antibiotic isn't working - I'm just
somewhat cautious about it at this point. I would appreciate
continued updates on how this drug appears to be working for you, as
well as from anyone else who is using it.
With kindest regards,
Bruce H. Williams, DVM
Join the Ferret Health List at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Ferret-
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--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., ferrets1st@f... wrote:
> I'm almost certain I saw it on this list, but can't find the post
> now... but anyway, you know who you are...
>
> A HUGE thanks! (And a million fuzzy hugs and a really good ear
> licking from Rascal!)
>
> Our compounding pharmacist mixed the flagyl to be applied to the
> ferret's ear flap for us. After only 3 days, Rascal's chronic (past
> 12 months) diarhhea is abating. (We were in the habit of describing
> his poops in terms of square feet of flooring to be mopped.) For
the
> past 12 hours his poops have been soft but formed.
>
> Rascal is a very active (although insulinoma & post bilateral
> adrenal) 8-year-old silver who's pretty sure he can still climb
> mountains even though he stumbles & walks sideways. We've tried the
> usual flagyl suspension repeatedly which requires 3 people to
> administer to this wirey old man. They invariably end up wearing
half
> of the dosage and he usually manages to gag back up the better part
> of the other half. We've tried homecooked diet and just about every
> med in the vet's book.
>
> This is working.
>
> Thanks again,
>
> Debi Christy
> Ferrets First Foster Home