Message Number: SG5493 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "scruffyou"
Date: 2003-07-23 19:07:42 UTC
Subject: ee-allergies-ibd
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <001901c3514d$b2130b30$f9c83842@GodsBox>

Hey Hey Hey,

>the portion of white blood cells that are eosinophils(?) was high, pointin=
g to an allergy or Eosinophillic Enteritis.

This is the first indicator I had with RinkyDink. A biopsy needs to be don=
e 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 see=
d 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. Do=
es she keep taking this? Will the Prednisone make that unneccesary? I hop=
e so long term, but, I mean for right now. Should I finish the 14 day trea=
tment 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 f=
errets this is the most common occurence as they do not usually get parasit=
es.

>3) My vet here has always questioned if her distemper shot started this w=
hole ordeal

This could very well be as an allergic reaction is an immune system in over=
drive. 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 th=
at dosent contain either, like Eukanuba Lamb and Rice or Hill's prescriptio=
n 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 disconti=
nued all together.

>Do we halt further investigation on IBD? I guess what I mean is, is the a=
llergy 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 onl=
y way I know of to further investigate is to do a surgical proceedure and g=
et 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. Sh=
e 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

End of ferrethealth Digest
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