Message Number: YG13762 | New FHL Archives Search
From: dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-06-11 18:52:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Update on Patches/possible IBD or similar ailment

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "Kym Barone" <kym@f...> wrote:
> I am overwhelmed by how many people have been writing to offer me
> support and suggestions about Patches, and I'm falling behind on
> personal thank-yous, but please everyone who wrote know I am VERY
> appreciative. I wanted to post out here about tonight's vet visit
and I
> will keep people updated in case (a) I can learn more and (b) it may
> help someone in the future.


Dear Kym:

My suggestion based on your very detailed description of the vet
visit would be to try to build her back up with the diet and
prednisone in hopes of eventually getting that biopsy. Yes, the vet
is correct that there is a number of GI ailments that can cause
similar signs to IBD, but the only way to really tell them apart and
tailor the appropriate therapy is to get a biopsy of the intestine to
see what is really going on.

Bloodwork is not very predictive for GI problems, and I'm not sure
why kidney disease is in this differential. A fecal test will
identify coccidia if they are present, but multiple tests may be
required.

Pred and dietary manipulation are fine in the short term for most of
the GI problems that ferrets get, but only a biopsy will determine
what precisely is going on.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, DVM