Message Number: YG11336 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Steve Austin
Date: 2002-02-21 18:43:00 UTC
Subject: gentocin eye drops

Gentomycin is an antibiotic from a family called
amigoglycosides, these antibiotics are known to have
possible toxicity to hearing (ototoxic) and to kidneys
(nephrotoxic).
Ferrets are very sensitive to the effects and can cause
kidney
toxicity- However, this is systmeically, meaning the
antibiotic is in the blood. Now, the question is how much
of a topical antibiotic is absorbed and is it enough to have
concern for?
There is no question that ferrets shouldn't get IV Gentamycin,
or IM ( it doesn't come orally dosed), but what about
the eye drops or ear drops, or topical ointments??
I don't know, I think that 2- 3 days of a few drops of
an antibiotic in the eyes won't cause harm, but since there
are many other choices of antibiotic eye drops don't see
why need to take the chance.

Just my opinion.

Patty

On Thu, 21 Feb 2002 08:57:26 -0800 (PST) Angie George
<ferretladie@yahoo.com> writes:
I recently took my five year old to our local vet to have
stitches taken out instead of driving the two hours to our
ferret vet. I also took our DEW little girl because she had
a little runny eye. the vet prescribed gentocin eye drops
and now I read that they can be very dangerous. What does
anyone know about this. fortunately I have stopped using
them!!!!!

Angie George