From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2003-06-15 00:40:47 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Flavorless Metronidazole?
To: FerretHeathList <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.4.44+UNC.0306142033120.55526-100000@login7.isis.unc.edu>
> I just read an article in Ferrets magazine that said that a flavorless
> formulation of Metronidazole is available. Is this true? Where can it
> be obtained?
Assuming this isn't something terribly new, I think I've tried that
before. My vet called it in to a compounding pharmacist. I remember
being terribly excited about it; I mean, how seductive is the phrase
"flavorless metronidazole" to a pet owner? When given straight, though,
there was still gagging and flailing and foaming (and the ferret wasn't
happy either :)
However, it was possible to put in the ferret's gravy and have it all go
down the hatch with a little handfeeding. The regular stuff rendered
gravy inedible no matter how diluted, so the new kind was still a success.
I think the deal is that the regular kind is metronidazole hydrochloride,
while the less nasty kind is metronidazole benzoate...
But in any case, the compounding pharmacist was the key. They even
re-made it once for no extra charge into a new flavor when the first one
wasn't a hit. I tried a fruity flavor first but had more luck with a fish
flavor - your mustelid may vary... And if the article was about something
*really* new, like in the last year, then it might be something other than
what I'm rambling about.
Best wishes,
-Pam S.