Message Number: SG9301 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "kazpat1@juno.com"
Date: 2004-06-28 01:18:25 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Ulcers`
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <7896426.1088389041376.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium.smartgroups.com>

Biaxin comes in two strenghts, 250mg per 5ml and 125mg per 5ml.
I believe the dose is 50mg per kg once a day of the biaxin, so
roughly 25 mg per pound. If you have a larger, 2 lb or so ferret
you will need to give 2ml of the solution you have ( 125mg per 5ml is 25mg per ml)
ALong with this, amoxicillin is also given- and carafate is used before meals to help
coat the ulcer and help the healing.

I think some have used H2 ( acid ) blocker meds, like pepcid, or even acid pump
inhibitors like Prilosec- I am not sure the normal pH of a ferret stomach compared
to a human, and not sure if raising their pH would be helpful- or hinder in their
digestion since they digest much more meat proteins in their diet.

What have others' experienced with these type meds in the ferret? Helpful, no
difference?

Ferrets mask their illness well, many times a ferret will just seem to be a picky eater,
or sleep more as the only sign of illness. I did not believe it until the same thing
happened to one of mine, seemed fine except less active for about 3 days- died
right after blood work was drawn that showed pronounced renal failure-
probably for months before she actually acted ill.
And at least that could have been diagnosed earlier if I had her in for geriatric panel
at some point, an ulcer and even some kinds of cancer may not show up until
already bleeding, or spreading to a major organ,etc.-I don't think blood tests really
would catch it any earlier.

Patty

-- "Is this indeed half strength? It is 125 mg per 5 ml when reconstituted. Dose
is 1 cc. once a day. Is this the correct dose for this, and what are the
current recommendations for the other parts of this cure, the Pepcid,
amoxicillin, Carafate?
Thanks, I hope this takes care of the problem. I just lost Shadow to a
perforated ulcer. I hadn't noticed any real signs of illness. She was just
depressed, or so I thought.

Carol O.
Tucson