From:
Erin Simkins
Date: 2001-08-20 13:30:00 UTC
Subject: Re: digestive distress
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., flyte_lah@y... wrote:
> My ferret Rowdy is 3.5 y/o MF male. He had both adrenals
> removed in March. He is on Florinef and Pediapred. Before
> discovering he needed those two meds, he lost a lot of weight and
> began grinding his teeth. Have been giving him duck soup. I add
> some Pepcid AC to ease his stomach upset.
> He was doing well and gaining weight, and the grinding of
teeth
> had stopped. Over the past two weeks, he has reverted to grinding
> his teeth, not eating all his "soup", retching, and occasionally
> vomiting small amounts.
Lisann, how much pediapred is Rowdy on and how often? I'm not a vet
but it's possible that the pred is irritating his stomach. Make sure
to give the pred after a good meal to try and avoid upsetting his
stomach. If you're giving the pepcid with his meal, it's probably
not doing much good. I'd suggest giving it 30 minutes prior to a
meal. I've had better luck with sucralfate (carafate) myself but I'm
not sure that our situations are the same.
I know we're not supposed to be stool-gazers, but how are his poops?
Are they normal colored, seedy or black & tarry? With the retching,
grinding and occaisional vomiting, it sounds like he might have
gastric ulcers. Here's a good site by Dr. William's to read up about
ulcers and treatment before you go to the vet.
http://www.ferretcentral.org/faq/med/ulcers.html#williams
> From searching the FHL archives, I see that some people have
> given simethicone for upset stomach. Would that be advised here?
> What dosage? Rowdy is a small male - just under 2lbs, I'd say.
Sorry but I can't help you there. Hopefully one of the vets will be
able to suggest something.
> Will likely take Rowdy to the vet later this week, but would
> like to have some potential things for him to check in to - he is
> very open to suggestion.
I think a vet visit would be a good idea. Gastric ulcers would be
the first thing I'd ask him about.
>this list is a wonderful resource for
> us ferret owners! (or are we owned by the ferrets....?)
I think we're definitely owned by them! Best of luck and I hope
Rowdy feels better soon.
Sincerely,
Erin Simkins
Education Director
American Ferret Association
www.ferret.org