Message Number: YG12815 | New FHL Archives Search
From: dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-04-30 20:07:00 UTC
Subject: Re: IBD??? please help!

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "jackie_issa" <jackie_issa@y...>
wrote:
> I have 2 ferrets that are now about 8 months old and have been
having
> problems with their stool since they were 2 months. I have gone to
2
> different vets and the problem still is not gone. I just read the
> article in the Ferret magazine about IBD and I am wondering if that
> is what they have. Their symptoms are stools that are loose,
> sometimes green slime, and very grainy (birdseed like) We have
tried
> medicine to get rid of worms... they don't have worms. They have
> been on flagyl forever, we tried antibiotics, and now they are also
> using chloramphenicol tablets. Is there any suggestions to what
this
> is so I can tell the vet?


Dear Jackie:

The first question is whether these are your only ferrets, or if you
have others. IBD as a result of ECE is certainly a possibility here,
but it is difficult to assess. Indeed, after six months of trial and
error, surgical biopsy should at least be a consideration.

The persistent use of antibiotics without definite indication is
probably not a good idea. Any antibiotic forever, or
chloramphenicol - another antibiotic with a very limited indication
in ferrets is not a good way to try to handle chronic diarrhea, and
may actually obscure diagnostic features of the disease.

I would also ask if you have tried modifying the ferrets diet.
Ferret with chronic diarrhea, IBD or not, often have severe trouble
digesting kibble and we need to provide a bland, easily digested diet
for them.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, DVM