From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2001-08-24 22:23:00 UTC
Subject: Re: ECE...Going on for 1 month now ....HELP!
Patty gave good advice here, and others have said fine things, too.
Be careful about his hydration; you don't want secondary kidney
damage from dehydration. We went that route with Spot; he was very
ill with serious dehydration and despite daily vet care for a while
during his worst patch it happened. He was getting daily sub-cu but
looking back on it he really could have used IV; he was that bad.
Certainly HAVE seen some who could not handle rich foods (like heavy
cream) during the worst of ECE.
>Vex,
>It does sound like the typical ECE course, and after the
>initial diarrheal illness, some ferrets go through a wasting
>period that lasts up to 6 weeks.
>Antibiotics don't help after the initial illness, unless there
>is a secondary infection documented.
>Ulcers do happen from stress, but is he grinding teeth, or
>black,blood stools?
>
>Keep Skittles on the bland diet of Gerber Chicken baby food,
>or similar and I think a course of steroids can help, but not
>sure if that is in the initial phases or not.
>
>There is great info on ECE and treatment- mostly supportive
>care on Dr. Williams site and Ferret Central.
>www.ferretcentral.org a link to Dr. WIlliams site is there.
>
>Patty