From:
"scruffyou"
Date: 2003-07-23 14:20:23 UTC
Subject: Allergy-EE-IBD-
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <7295144.1058973394926.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>
>the portion of white blood cells that are eosinophils(?) was
>high, pointing to an allergy or Eosinophillic Enteritis.
This is the first indicator I had with RinkyDink. A biopsy needs to be done for a rock solid diagnosis but this is a very good indicator.
>Treatment is Prednisone, starting out with 0.25CC twice a day
This is classic treatment for EE and what RinkyDink was started out with.
>The tummy troubles (bacteria/blood in stools; diarreah)
These are all symptoms of EE, along with fever, anorexia, wasting, bird seed stool
>1) The Sucralfate, Amoxicillin, and Biaxin - I assume this is
>different, but similar to the Pepto, Pepcid, Amoxi, and Baytril
>combo she was on. Does she keep taking this? Will the
>Prednisone make that unneccesary? I hope so long term, but, I
>mean for right now. Should I finish the 14 day treatment and
>then just drop down to only Prednisone? Btw, she hasn't had
>bad poops since Saturday....
I wouuld do what the vet says. Sounds as if they are on the right track.
>2) At http://www.ferret-universe.com, it says Eosinophillic
>Enteritis is an allergic reaction to a parasite.
EE can also be an allergic reaction to something in her food. I think in ferrets this is the most common occurence as they do not usually get parasites.
>3) My vet here has always questioned if her distemper shot
>started this whole ordeal
This could very well be as an allergic reaction is an immune system in overdrive. Distemper shots trigger the immune system into action.
I no longer give RinkyDink distemper shots as I almost lost her after one. She went into a tailspin and I could not get her out.
>4) Before visiting the vet in Madison, Maddie problem was
>considered IBD-like. Will this "go away" with the allergy
>treatment (prednisone).
probably if you also add a change in her food. A lot of ferrets with this condition are allergic to chicken or corn. I would switch her to a food that dosent contain either, like Eukanuba Lamb and Rice or Hill's prescription feline low allergen. You can get the Hill's from your vets office as it requires a prescription. With the right food, pred may one day be discontinued all together.
>Do we halt further investigation on IBD? I guess what I mean
>is, is the allergy causing the IBD-like symptoms or are the IBD-
>like symptoms acutally the ulcer?
I would guess that the ibd symptoms are from the allergy or EE however, due to the stress of being sick it could very well be an ulcesr also. The only way I know of to further investigate is to do a surgical proceedure and get a biopsy of her bowel and intestines.
There is a lot on this list in the archives about this disease. Look under EE, IBD, EGE and RinkyDink. A combo of an anti allergen, vitamin b shots, pepcid, dex and hypo allergenic food and dex eventualy saved her life. She is now on a very low dose of dex every other day for maitanence. Hers is an extreme case tho.
Please note, I am not a vet, just a vetren fighter of this disease.
HappyTails,
Karen and the Scruff You Gang
[edited by moderator to try to fix formatting - content of post not altered]