From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-29 14:18:00 UTC
Subject: Re: High yeast level and GI tract blockage questions
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., maikeru207@y... wrote:
> I took my ferret, Ubu, to the vet today because I thought he may
have
> a GI tract blockage because his stool has been thin lately and
> sometimes the amount that comes out is small (He seems to be
eating,
> drinking, and acting normal). Anyway, the vet did some palpation
and
> said that she didn't think their was a blockage, but from a stool
> sample I brought in, said that he had high levels of yeast. She
said
> the easiest way to take care of this was to feed him about a
teaspoon
> of plain yogurt with live cultures once/day.
>
> I guess I have two questions:
>
> 1) Can someone fill me in on yeast levels and their effect, and if
> yogurt will correct the problem?
>
> 2) What is the standard protocol for diagnosing a possible GI tract
> blockage? Is palpation sufficient?
Dear Michael:
Regarding your first question: Yeast is a common commensal organism
in the ferret gut which doesn't do anything. High or low levels are
really of no significance. I wouldn't recommend any treatment for
it.
Regarding your second question - I would also be concerned about a
foreign body when the stools are pencil thin. Palpation is often not
good enough - I have missed foreign bodies in my own ferrets with
pencil-lead stools. Gastric hairballs are commonly missed on
palpation. The standard protocol would be palpation, then a contrast
(barium) study of the gut, and finally if signs do not subside, then
an exploratory laparotomy.
I am facing the same options with one of my own ferrets - he will be
having a barium study and likely an exploratory lap early next week.
He is eating and active, but has thin stools which are occasionally
just mucusy.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM