Message Number: SG8474 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: tlawford@verizon.net
Date: Mon, 5 Apr 2004 00:46:25 +0100 (BST)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Subject: RE: More Helicobacter questions
Message-ID: <451823.1081122385218.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
In the 18 ferrets I've owned since 1990, 5 have died from stomach ulcer (H =
pylorii) but I have managed to rescue 8 or so. I have just rescued coco puf=
f from the rainbow bridge in the past week. It always starts with the ferre=
t getting skinny, too weak to walk, laying gazing at the water or food dish=
but absolutely refusing to drink. The deydration is what kills them in the=
short run, renal shutdown and shock. (I'm not a vet, I'm a people MD) In p=
eople, treating with dual antibiotics has an 80% success rate, and if you a=
dd an acid blocker, the success rate in people goes up to 95%. Metronidazol=
e is gawdawful tasting stuff, Ive tried it. So even though vets use it, I s=
witch to what eradicates this bacteria in people, biaxin (a methylated eryt=
hromycin) and amoxicillen. It comes in pediatric suspensions, and .3cc of e=
ach given twice a day is the appropriate dose. With that, I usually see imp=
rovement begin on day 6, the ferrett will actually voluntarily drink water.=
Meanwhile, during treatment, I give them 10cc of pure whipping cream each =
twelve hours using a syrinege while I scruff the ferret. The cream is both =
the liquid they dearly need to prevent vascular collapse, and nutrition, wh=
ile it also should coat the ulcer and soothe somewhat. In this present resc=
ue of Coco Puff, on day two she still looked like she might die anyway. Too=
k her to the vet who added Pepsid (a human acid blocker with a long half li=
fe) 0.02ml qd, and Sucralafate .3mg q12 hours. Sucralafate (carafate) is gi=
ven to human ulcer sufferers to coat the stomach, the coating sticks for 12=
-24 hours. She recommended we run for 14 days with everything. (About the s=
ame as the human regimen.) The Pepsid and the Sucralafate had an immediate =
very beneficial effect. Coco Puff quit pawing her muzzle in pain, was actua=
lly willing to drink a little water on her own, and would accept the 10cc o=
f pure cream eagerly rather than struggling to avoid it. We are at day 8 n=
ow and she is gaining weight, eating lots of solid food of her own volition=
and wresting with her boyfriend Spencer. I will, nevertheless, grab her ea=
ch 12 hours and continue the regimen to day 14. I have had h Pylorii recur =
often enough a year or so later in a ferret that was 'cured'. The water yo=
u are giving is critical to keep them from going into shock (vascular colla=
pse) and dying. Please do feel free to call me on this if you'de like. My h=
ome phone is 703-476-5155, up until 10PM each night. Work Mon and Fri is 20=
2-636-1536 or 1431. Work Tuesday is at the Smithsonian 202-275-9286 or 222=
2. A good universal rebroadcasing email that reaches me everywhere is tlaw=
ford@alum.mit.edu =
Author wrote:
> Is it common for a ferret with an outbreak to suddenly start showing symp=
toms?? My 5 year old, Floyd, started Tuesday with hind limb weakness. He =
was taken to the vet Thursday where blood panels ruled out insulinoma, live=
r or renal failure. His x-rays were fairly inconclusive; his stomach area =
was obscured. They did show an enourmous spleen, but his has always been a =
bit large. He's very weak, can't really use his back legs, and skinny. I'=
m trying to get some food into him, as well as water every half an hour to =
an hour. His belly is quite tender and there's what looks like bruising nea=
r his penis. Exploratory surgery is an option if he doesn't start to respo=
nd to medication(ammoxicillin and metronidazole) soon. Should we persue th=
at option? When? When will he show signs that the meds are working? Any he=
lp is most appreciated, as Floyd's been extremely healthy until this, and M=
erlin(his 2yr old fuzzy buddy) and I would like to see him near or back to =
his wired weaselly self.
=
=
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.