From:
Joanne D'Amico
Date: 2001-10-29 13:22:00 UTC
Subject: ECE Virus in Ferrets
Michele - I am so sorry to hear about Ginger and Armand. They probably
were so neglected they didn't have any reserves left to fight the virus.
I had nine when ECE struck, including one older but healthy male, and
one female who had adrenal cancer surgery a year previous, with
metastases to other areas. My first and most favorite little girl almost
died, spent a lot of time at the vet getting fluids by I.V., but all
made it.
What we learned, was keep them hydrated and fed - lots of Duck Soup (or
Bob C's Chicken Gravy) and lots of fresh water mixed with equal amounts
unflavored Pedialyte in a bowl as well as in their bottles (easier for a
sick ferret to get more water from a bowl).
We also gave Kaopectate (and even Imodium) for the diarrhea, and I
believe carafate (?) for the ulcers, antibiotics to ward off secondary
infection. Two had mouth and stomach ulcers, so we used Pepcid AC,
but Dr. Williams has since advised that it isn't a good idea to lower
the stomach pH during ECE, so I would probably use some Slippery Elm
bark, or whatever the vet prescribes.
For the diarrhea, if Pepto bismol or Kaopectate will not control it,
liquid Imodium 0.1 mL can be given 2 X day. I mix most meds in Duck
Soup to make it more palatable, as all of my ferrets love it, and I
don't want to stress them out when they are ill, by forcing meds.