From:
mistressofpuppets666@yahoo.co.uk
Date: 2005-04-01 13:58:23 UTC
Subject: meningitis
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <3801978.1112363904002.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
hi,
One of my ferrets has *probably* a meningitis/myelitis. I say *probably* because he has all the "right" symptoms for it, according to the vet (cervical pain, rigidity, (head) tremor (not permanently, just now and then), loss of balance,...), but he also has lymphoma (of one or several mesenterial lymphnodes, confirmed through histopathology) and there is a possibility that the lymphoma has spread to his CNS and is causing these symtoms.
-First time he had those symptoms was 6 weeks ago. He also had a high fever back then. He made a spectacular recovery on Baytril, in 48 hours he was more or less recovered, although still a bit weak from not eating well. We gave the Baytril for 10 days.
-Two weeks ago though, the symptoms came back. His temperature also rose, though not as high as the first time. The vet advised us to start the Baytril again, and he improved again, allbeit much more slowly than the first time.
-Two days ago though the tremor and cervical pain started to come back again, allthough he was still on the Baytril (15mg/kg per day). We went to the vet again, and she switched us from Baytril to Vibravet (doxycyclin, 5mg/kg q12h). He is also on prednisolone for the lymphoma (0,5mg/kg q12h)
His condition is certainly not worse since then, he has even made improvement again: almost no tremour anymore, his balance has improved again, the cervical pain has almost reduced to none, ...
My question (to the vets?) is: what do you think about the doxycyclin for this case? Is this a good option for an antibiotic in this case? Wouldn't 10 days (which the vet prescribed) be too short? I have been reading a lot about meningitis, and I came across Trimethoprim-sulfa alot. Would it be worth discussing this with my vet? Maybe a combination of trimethoprim-sulfa and doxy?
I asked for a spinal tap btw, but she (the vet) doesn't feel comfortable with it, she's worried that he wouldn't survive the anesthesia.
Thanks in advance!
Anke