Message Number: SG8554 | New FHL Archives Search
From: AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2004-04-17 18:48:17 UTC
Subject: Re: Gastric ulcers
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <db.849ae61.2db2d5f1@cs.com>

Hi Maureen,
Sorry there is no an easy test for gastric ulcers.
Signs of nausea, pawing at the mouth, anorexia, and
black tarry stools are the common signs.
But black tarry stools are not always present.
Illness, surgery, new ferrets introduced into a group,
and food changes can cause the stress that can cause
an ulcer. Older ferrets, recently rescued ferrets, and insulinoma
ferrets (that are on Pediapred) are also at risk for ulcers.
The fecal occult blood test is just not an accurate
test.
A small endoscope can verify gastric ulcers in most
cases, but that is not necessary most of the time.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM