From:
"Danee DeVore"
Date: 2003-04-24 01:12:29 UTC
Subject: Need Advice - diarrhea problem
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3EA739FD.4080702@aol.com>
Hi guys,
I seem to have run into a problem, and could use some advice.
For the past almost 3 weeks, I have had some kind of diarrhea bug going
through the ferret population here. With the younger and healthier
ones, it has not been serious, and has resolved on its own in 3 or so
days. However, with 7 with ADV, several with IBD, and some with both,
I have some that have had more trouble, requiring Sub-Q fluids and
antibiotics. Still, until today, the only visible symptom was the
diarrhea.
Yesterday, Ilsa was very sick. She was not eating kibble, but would
eat soup. This morning, she was still very depressed and also had a
fever of 103. I called the vet, but he was out today, and won't be in
until tomorrow evening for appointments. He is doing surgery in the
morning, and I will probably call and see if he will see her as an
emergency. So, this morning, after feeding some soup, I gave her some
flagyl to start. I noticed Jazz was also down, and she also had a
slight fever (102.5) so I did the same with her. Tonight, Ilsa's is
down some (101.9) but Jazz's was up to 104.3. Jazz is 7, has ADV, and
has some sort of breathing problem (possible laryngeal paralysis), so
she is a little more fragile. If things get too dicey, I will go to
the emergency vet, but would prefer to avoid that if at all possible.
Any suggestions? At what point should I start ice water baths for
Jazz? What is a critical fever?
For anyone interested in a description of the diarrhea, it is yellowy,
and like a watery cottage cheese. That is, there is a loose-pudding
consistency liquid with curd like yellow to cream colored particles in
it. It has a very putrid odor, also.
When I first started with this, the original patient was seen by my
vet. He found no parasites, and believed it to be some sort of bug of
undetermined origin. I am still at a loss as to how we picked it up,
though. I had not been around any other ferrets, or in any home or
pet stores where ferrets might have been for at least 10 days before
this started.
So far, none have had a fever with it, until today. Ilsa is 3, does
not have either ADV or IBD, and is generally very sturdy, so I am less
concerned about her then I am Jazzy. I also do not think this is in
any way related to ECE.
Thanks for any help and suggestions.
--
Danee
ADV - If your ferret hasn't been tested, you don't know!
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