From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2003-10-25 04:56:25 UTC
Subject: Re: IBD meds
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <14e.2588c1dc.2ccb5c79@cs.com>
Hello there Lynn,
Treatment of IBD is aimed at suppressing the
immune response. Two drugs are basically used:
Pediapred and/or Imuran (azathioprine). Pediapred
at 1mg/kg or higher once to twice a day. Imuran
0.9mg/kg every 72 hours with mild cases, every 48
hours in moderate case, and every 24 hours in severe
cases.
Diet changes help sometimes too (possibly food
allergies causing the IBD). Changing to a diet with
a different protein source such as Hill's z/d feline,
or Gerber's turkey or beef flavored baby food, or
Waltham's Duck and Rice feline food. The new
food Natural Gold for Ferrets by Pretty Bird may
be another option since high carbohydrate diets have
been linked to IBD in cats. IBD is frustrating because
we do not know all of the answers and most require
treatment for the rest of their life.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM