From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2003-10-09 06:31:58 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] ECE Recovery Advice
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Law12-F59dX6Nz5meOg00029967@hotmail.com>
I have seen this a lot. It appears that the new addition is a carrier of a
mutated form of the virus and the older ones had never been exposed so they
got sick and she may never be sick. An instance that she might break is if
she is exposed to a new unrelated ferret that is carrying a form that she
has not had. It is very hard to prevent and even with a quarentine in the
beginning once they were all introduced your outcome would be the same. I
agree that now they have been exposed and further contact won't create a
worsening of the condition the other's already have. I also agree now that
stress is the hardest part to get over. I think separation to beter monitor
the ones that are ill is a definite plus. Flagyl is tough on these guys and
you may be able to get away with clavamox and pepto. To make pepto more
toleralble, buy the unflavored tablets and make your own liquid, this way
you can make it more concentrated, have to give less and that minty taste
won't turn them off as much and also remember ther tasty treat follow up.
If the diarrahea is bad it is sometimes worth a fast but carefully and still
giving electrolytes with dextrose or Kayro syrup orally for no more then 12
hours, this can rest their intestinal tract a bit, then when reintoducing
the food go with a real bland basic baby food and gradually get them back to
their normal diet. The fluid therapy is always a good idea, whether oral
(if there is no vomiting), Sub Q or IV. I would also consider a probiiotic
(lactobacillus) to help reestablish the normal bacteria in their intestinal
tract, maybe even a bit of yogurt, Their immune status certainly took a hit
and they need a boost. I haven't tried it in ferrets perhaps someone else
has, but I have used the Amino Acid Lysine in cats to help out, it is mixed
with food and it is a protein so the taste is not objectionable. I often tr
things and see if they help, If anyone else has tried something like this I
would be interested in hearing it.
Travel, well that depends on them, if they are used to it, you can treat
them if they are ill and know who to call if there is a problem it is
probably no more stress then not going. Remember to that the more stressed
out you get they will pick up on it and get stressed out to. I have also
used Rescue Remedy in the water, it doesn't work in all, I have never seen
it hurt, but it really helps reduce some levels of stress in some ferrets.
Hope this helps and it is not too long. These are just some things I have
done with my patients, I am sure there are many other techniques and
opinions so take what you can from them. Good Luck with everything.
Susan Liszewski DVM
>From: tiabmaps@hotmail.com
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>Subject: [ferrethealth] ECE Recovery Advice
>Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 04:52:52 +0100 (BST)
>
>I apologize for the long post, but I want to include as much information as
>I can before I ask questions
>
>We just brought home a six month old jill (Savannah) to add to our family
>of 3 seniors (Nikki, Sunny and Abby). All of the seniors are about 6 1/2
>to 7 years old. We purchased Savannah through a private breeder, mainly
>because we wanted her to have time to mature before she is spayed. Over
>the past 10 years weve been owned by 14 fuzzies and have always had
>uneventful introductions. Although we consider ourselves ferret
>knowledgeable, this time we learned that we did not take sufficient
>precautions to protect our existing family from ECE.
>
>Within 24 hours, all Nikki, Sunny and Abby were showing symptoms of ECE
>(Sunny more severely than the others). Savannah has no symptoms. We took
>all four to our veterinarian on Monday morning (10/05/2003) and they stayed
>there all day.
>
>Our Vet diagnosed their condition as:
>
>1. Virus of the immune system
>2. Symptoms of Corona virus ECE
>3. Clostridia bacteria
>4. He took a bacteria culture which came back today and showed indications
>of a Proteus Mirabilis bacteria
>5. He believes Savannah to be the carrier of the virus
>
>He prescribed the following:
>
>1. During their stay, he administered sub-cu fluids to the 3
>2. Metronidozale and Amoxicillin for all 4 (twice daily for 7 days)
>3. Recommended Pepto for the 3 with diarrhea (three times a day)
>4. Scrub all litter boxes and food dishes
>5. Keep Savannah separated for the next 3 months.
>6. Do not let the others share Savannas litter boxes or food dishes
>7. Always thoroughly wash hands after handling.
>
>In addition to the prescribed medications, we have been feeding Gerber 2nd
>Foods Chicken baby food every four hours and giving unflavored Pedialyte to
>help with hydration. This morning (10/08/2003) Sunny was showing signs of
>dehydration, so we took him in and he was given 100 ccs of sub-cu fluids.
>
>Right now, the three are caged together and are holding their own. Abby is
>fairly active but still has diarrhea. Nikki is lethargic, but his stools
>look better. Sunny is also lethargic with diarrhea. Savannah is like a
>little tornado and has solid stools.
>
>Weve read Dr. Williams ECE pathology page, but we have a few specific
>questions that it could not answer.
>
>1. By keeping Savannah are we increasing the risk to the other three?
>
>2. Since all are now exposed, should Savannah be strictly quarantined in a
>closed off room or is a separate cage sufficient?
>
>3. Assuming a strict quarantine is not necessary
Once the three are well
>enough to get out-and-about, should they be allowed to play in the same
>room that Savannah has played in?
>
>4. Once we are past this illness (God willing), is it foolish to attempt
>introducing a kit to our seniors?
>
>5. The Metronidozale REALLY stresses them out (gagging, etc.). Could it be
>doing more harm than good?
>
>6. We did have a weeklong trip planned for next week (the ferrets always
>travel with us). That has now been rescheduled for the week of 10/20. Is
>it unrealistic to think that they may be well enough to travel (by car) by
>then?
>
>7. Is there anything we are missing that might help to ensure the recovery
>of our babies?
>
>Thank you for taking the time to read this. All feedback and information
>is greatly appreciated.
>
>Aaron & Tracy
>
>
>
>
>--
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>
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