From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2001-09-08 00:59:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: ECE?
True and good points, but ECE is more likely if it hits all or most
of the ferrets in a home a few days (usually 2) after a new ferret
is introduced.
Flagyl is a good med when it is needed, it does have good
coverage of GI tract bugs, but when you use any antibiotic
for this purpose don't forget it knocks out normal flora
as well. Also, I think ferrets tend to have a lot of gm negatives
in their stools as a "normal" finding, if I remember correctly.
Since there are cultures that can be done to rule out infections,
and stool studies to look for parasites, that leaves viral causes
and ECE is the most predominant, and even if the diarrhea is
caused by another virus the treatment remains the same,
I think we overuse antibiotics way too much-
just my opinion.
Patty
p.s. Even in humans flagyl is nasty, even the pills leave a taste and
upset the stomach, there has to be some better alternatives.
> I am not a vet, but have had LOTS of experience with ferrets
> w/diarrhea! Metronidazole (Flagyl) is a great med. for diarrhea as
> it
> covers a good range of bacteria. My vet., who's an exotics vet only,
>
> and I both believe that ECE is blamed for almost all diarrheas when,
>
> in fact, sometimes (or mostly)it is caused by something else. My
> vet.
> typically prescribes a Clavamox/Metronidazole combo. first (Amoxi.
> does not seem to work as well) and it has always worked well in all
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