From:
grateful@nmia.com
Date: 2002-11-22 19:41:58 UTC
Subject: gastric ulcers
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com (ferrethealth)
Message-ID: <20021122194158.50260.qmail@plato.nmia.com>
Luigi has had an ulcer about every two months. Sometimes mild (a
little bit of black tarry mixed in the normal stool) and more severe
like this time (only black stool). Every time he also shows other
symptoms of mouth licking and teeth grinding. I can tell he is not
feeling well by just sleeping all the time. When he does try to get up
and walk, he doesn't have much strength and has to rest frequently. He
sometimes just falls on his side.
I am feeding him three times a day and he was taking a little bit of
chicken baby food, some A/D, and some Nutrical. I don't think it was
enough to prevent weight loss but I didn't want to force food when his
stomach hurts. This morning he refused all food. I know I may have to
force feed him so he doesn't get too weak. On previous occasions, I
would feed him only Nutrical and he was willing to take more than 3/4
teaspoon per day so I know he was getting more than the minimum
nutrients for his weight. I also give Carafate 1/2 hour before feeding
to help with his stomach discomfort.
The last time Luigi had ulcers, our vet prescribed Biaxin and Amox but
Luigi got runny green stools. Also, Luigi _hated_ the bitter taste of
Biaxin and would try to throw up every time I gave it to him. His vet
suggested stopping the treatment and the greeny stool went away. On
the plus side, Luigi started eating on his own after only two days of
treatment. He seemed to have less severe ulcers that time as his stool
only had a small amount of black in his stools.
Our vet and I are thinking we have to start treatment again with Biaxin
and Amox. I didn't see other treatments in the archives other than
metronidazole but that is really hated by most ferrets. Is there
anyway to keep runny greeny stools less severe? Our vet suggested
acidophillus but I saw in the archive that ferrets do not have that in
their stomach flora. I noticed in the archives to wait after giving
Carafate before giving the antibiotics? But I didn't see a consensus
on how much time to wait.
Thanks in advance for any suggestions anyone has!
--
William M. Davidson
grateful@nmia.com
1704 Blume, NE
Albuquerque, NM 87112
505 294 4571
Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they
don't want, to impress people they don't like.
-Will Rogers