From:
"Roger Vaughn"
Date: 2003-02-19 22:07:25 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] hunger strike
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <50055.192.168.132.35.1045692445.squirrel@mail.seaconinc.com>
It strikes me that he might have a helicobacter overgrowth, and
possibly ulcers. It's consistent with what you're describing - a
helico infection is one of the few things that make them vomit, and
the stomach upset from the infection and the ulcers could definitely
put him off of his food.
An antibiotic alone won't cure it. The favored protocol these days is
amoxicillin, Biaxin, and Carafate. Amoxicillin, metronidazole, and
Pepto used to be preferred, but the metro and Pepto are hard to give
(and therefore cause stress). I've heard of different combinations of
these two protocols also.
At the very least, ask your vet about giving him an antacid (Tagamet,
Zantac, or Pepcid) and/or Carafate. These should help calm his
stomach and are much easier to give than Pepto. That may be enough to
at least get him eating again.
I am not a vet.
Good luck,
roger & the wolverine wannabees
missing bear