From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-01-07 15:09:00 UTC
Subject: Obvious things that every vet should know - #1
News flash - feces normally has lots of bacteria!
Sorry for the sarcasm, but I hear it all the time. "We are giving
antibiotics because my vet did a fecal smear and saw bacteria."
Or "my vet diagnosed a clostridial infection because he saw lots of
large rods."
The bottom line is, every ferret gut is loaded with bacteria (just
like yours and mine), and they are present in feces by the zillions.
Visualization of bacteria is no sign of disease in ferrets. It is
only when certain types of bacteria overgrow the normal flora and
upset the applecart that GI disease occurs. The only useful tests are
those which identify the type of bacteria - certain cultures are
available for bad actors like Salmonella, as well as a special PCR
test for Helicobacter (although its usefulness in this ubiquitous
infection is at best questionable.)
Let's remember -
Feces + bacteria equals NOTHING.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM