From:
sprite@ksu.edu
Date: 2005-10-01 16:14:46 UTC
Subject: Re: Pepto
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1128183286.433eb5f653cf5@webmail.ksu.edu>
There has been no change in the pepto ingredients on the bottle I bought
just recently and in my experience it works well on these little ones.
I mix mine with an equal amount of heavy whipping cream in the syringe
(I pull up the pepto first, rinse, then pull up the heavy whipping
cream), run it under hot water and rub the syringe between my palms to
mix it up. Most take it relatively easily this way and some line-up to
try and get it even when they don't need it.
As for flagyl, the newer and more gentler treatment is biaxin crystals.
Flagyl has serious side effects in ferrets and people. I took it
myself for an infection and ended up with mouth ulcers, nausea and a
strong nasty metallic taste in my mouth the entire time I took it as
well as several days after. The main problem with the taste is that it
overpowers any food flavors and many ferrets won't eat because their
food tastes like flagyl when they do try to eat or drink. For a sick,
malnourished dehydrated ferret this is not what we want. The nurse
even apologized for the doctor prescribing it for me but it was the
only antibiotic that would kill my specific bacterial infection. I, on
the other hand, was glad to take it so I could see what it was like.
I don't understand why vets aren't up to date on treatments for ferrets.
It's not like this info just came out.
Please, if anyone goes to a vet that they later find out is using a less
gentle or outdated treatment, print out the newer treatment info and
either take it to them or mail it. Our vet tries to stay current on
treatments for all animals he sees and I would expect no less from him.
Afterall, being current on treatment information not only helps the
little ones in my care, but all of his ferret patients.
As difficult as it may be, it is time for us to become more pro-active
with issues concerning our ferrets.
tle
www.ferretfamilyservices.org