From:
ferretwoman33
Date: 2002-06-24 21:21:00 UTC
Subject: Opinions or ideas - runny stools problem
In March my 5 year old ferret started having very runny stools, dark
and smelly - the typical type of stools that would be diagnosed as
caused by an ulcer. He also was gritting his teeth and refusing
food. So he was put on an antibiotic and carafate. After about 3
days he started eating and his stools were much better. I gave him
the treatment for 10 days (7-10 days was recommended according to
instructions on meds). He was fine after that.
Six weeks later, we have the same problem. I give the same meds
again, with the same results. Two weeks after that, I get the runny
stools, but no dark stools, just seedy and a little watery. This
time we go to the vet. Couldn't get in with any of the good vets so
took what I could. He didn't have an answer for me, but didn't find
anything wrong, so told me to continue giving the carafate to get him
to eat. I had already planned an appointment with a very
knowledgable vet later in the month who was going to do this ferret's
adrenal surgery so I figured I would do what I could for him, until I
saw this vet.
This knowledgable vet said the gritting of the teeth and watery,
seedy stools were due to the overproduction of cortisone (?) from the
adrenal tumor, and the surgery would take the problem away.
Ten days ago my ferret had surgery, and after I brought him home, I
was given amoxi for him to take as a precaution because the surgery
was longer than usual (right side difficult to remove tumor). After
the first day home, he was finally eating really well, and his stools
were very good - good form, not watery, very little seediness, and
great color. Better than I had seen in months. This continued for
the whole five days he was on the amoxi. Day 6, stopped the amoxi,
and the stools started getting runny yet again. For the past few
days they have been seedy and watery. I did see him eat today, so
I'm not worried much about him not eating, although I doubt he's
eating as much as he did last week.
Any ideas what this could be? It seems to react good to the amoxi.
The carafate has helped. He drinks a lot of water - a lot, much more
than any of the other ferrets. He'll eat treats, but he's real picky
about eating regular food, and grinds his teeth often when eating. I
was really hoping the vet was right and this problem would have
disappeared with the tumor!
Yes, I am going to take him to a vet as soon as I can get in to see
one of the more knowledgable guys, but since three vets have seen
him, and have told me three different things, and none of them has
been a permanent solution, I was wondering if anyone else had ideas
or opinions about what could be causing this. It wasn't a change in
food - he's got four different kinds to choose from - and trust me -
he picks only what he wants. As to stress, yes, he got a new
cagemate, but that was over a month ago, and it's been ten days since
his adrenal operation and he's back in his cage with his pals, so I
think he shouldn't be stressed about that. I don't know what else to
think or do for this little guy.
Thanks for any ideas you guys may have!
Linda