From:
sprite@ksu.edu
Date: 2006-06-07 18:31:31 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] ECE, Coccidia, diarrhea treatment ideas
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Whenever ferrets have diarrhea they in danger of becoming hydrated.
Keeping them well hydrated orally or with sub-q lactated ringers can be
very helpful with ECE and Coccidia. They also need to eat and at these
times a very bland liquidy diet may be called for. Science diet AD or
turkey and gravy baby food (small jar) mixed with water and a bit of
pedialyte (generic is fine) may be better tolerated than a complete
recipe. Kibble may cause nausea or hurt when they try to eat. Finger
feeding the warmed recipe may be needed to entice them to eat. There
is a link on my webpage that gives tips on how to feed sick ferrets -
www.ferretfamilyservices.org
Imagine how you feel when you have a severe intestinal flu - you don't
want to eat or drink, your stomach hurts, your intestines hurt,
everything hurts, you are weak, tired - that is how I believe our
ferrets feel too. They need us to help them through the ailment.
I give pepto to coat the intestines. I mix pepto with a bit of heavy
whipping cream 1:1 by pulling up the pepto in the feeding syringe first
then pull up the hwc, turn on the hot tap water and hold the syringe
under the water to warm the mixture then rub it vigorously between my
palms to mix it well. Tastes a bit like a mild cherry shake. Pepto
also has unflavored caplets that I've crushed and mixed with recipe
feedings for those that severely object the liquid. When dealing with
something that is causing diarrhea, be cautious with the heavy whipping
cream - you don't want to use too much and cause more of a problem.
I add a bit of yogurt or acidophilus supplement to the recipe servings,
particulary when giving antibiotics.
There are several diarrhea supplements that may be helpful. Omaha
Vaccine and Lambriar Animal Health are two sites where these products
can be found. They are listed for dogs and cats of course, so check
with your veterinarian for his/her advice.
I give coating agents 10-15 minutes before feeding. This seems to help
them eat a bit better.
Sometimes antibiotics can cause diarrhea. They work on both good and
bad bacteria and sometimes prolonged use of antibiotics can cause the
very problem you are trying to treat.
If your ferret needs something to slow down the transit through their
system, your vet will have medication that does this.
How often to feed is dependant on how much they eat. I try for 20 cc's
every 4 hours. If they only eat 5cc's I try an hour later, and so on.
When caring for a sick fuzzy stress can be a factor, our stress. Try to
stay calm and talk softly and lovingly to the little ones. When they
sense you are upset, they become upset. They don't need that when they
are already compromised from sickness.
healing hugs. tle
www.ferretfamilyservices.org
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