From:
sonyablu67@aol.com
Date: 2001-11-16 16:14:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] ECE Virus in Ferrets
Hello!
Thank you for writing back, I truly appreciate your response. One
question for you
"lots of fresh water mixed with equal amounts
unflavored Pedialyte in a bowl as well as in their bottles " How
much of the Pedialyte should I give them ??? Also, I just got
another kit, we have him in a seperate cage from the other 5
fuzzies. We washed and bleached the cage 5 times, is this enough?
In your experience is this the best we can do or should we
quarrantine him from the other 5 fuzzies that were exposed ??? Any
advice would be deeply appreciated.
Sincerely,
Michele and Michael
In a message dated 10/29/01 9:32:24 PM Eastern Standard Time,
jdamico@netrus.net writes:
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.