From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-06-21 16:48:17 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Mycobacterium kansasii in ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I have been asked to post this by a list member.
Remember that Mycobacterium kansasii is NOT tuberculosis, though it can loo=
k like tuberculosis in humans some times till further testing is done. Als=
o, it is caught environmentally, and current articles I read do not have ma=
mmals passing it between themselves.
The individual is in contact with experts. Few people try so hard to have =
follow-up testing done to find out what forms of mycobacteria ferrets get, =
but knowing that could ultimately really help ferrets. I would like to tha=
nk this family for going the extra mile on this, and wish that misunderstan=
dings about mycobacteria were less common so that posters would not feel a =
need to choose an anonymous route with only moderators aware of identities.=
Sadly, the ferret did not make it.
BEGIN QUOTE
Last November I had four ferrets that owned me and had their own room in ou=
r house. In late November of last year, my 3 year old silver mitt, Snoopy,=
had one day of vomiting. I had thoroughly cleaned the room and cage that =
day so I thought he might be having a reaction to the cleaners (although I =
had not switched brands). It only happened the one day so I let it go. He=
had a normal vet visit in early October and was vaccinated for both rabies=
and distemper.
December 5, 2005: He began vomiting again and I noticed some weight loss. =
On a vet visit that day, the vet noticed bleeding by his upper right molar=
and thought it might be an infection causing him to vomit or possibly an o=
bstruction. Medications given were Clavamox 12mg po bid/Laxatone/Nutrical =
and I began giving him soft food. (Weight 2.3 lbs)
On December 12, 2005: he was not eating well, so the vet added Clindamyci=
n 12mg PO BID
On December 19, 2005, Snoopy had improved and was taken in for teeth cleani=
ng and seemed to do well afterwards with x-rays planned in January if bleed=
ing persisted.
January 23, 2006: When I woke him up for our morning playtime he was limpi=
ng on his right front leg with the leg actually dragging behind him, but by=
the time he arrived at vet=92s office his leg was normal but the gums were=
bleeding and with this new symptom was referred to internist. This inter=
nist did an exam and thought the lower molar on right side needed to be pul=
led as more bleeding was noted, and it was scheduled for that afternoon. S=
he stated that Snoopy=92s left elbow felt mushy but at that time no problem=
s were noted and he didn=92t seem to be bothered by it. When I went to pic=
k him up later that afternoon, she informed me the tooth was not the proble=
m but his gums looked like =93hamburger meat=94 and a biopsy was taken and =
sent to the lab for evaluation. The histopathologic diagnosis: granulom=
atous gingivitis & mycobacteriosis. The comments: filamentous organisms s=
een within the lesion are acid fast and are not distinguished by gram stain=
. Most likely organism is an atypical Mycobacterium spp. Bacteria. Cultur=
e may be of benefit.
February 2, 2006: The swelling in his lower jaw became more apparent visua=
lly he was placed on Doxycycline 10mg/kg po q24h X 21 days (Weight 1.8 lbs=
)
February 6, 2006: Swelling in jaw was increasing and his weight was fluctu=
ating, so at this time he was placed on 750mg Cipro floracin in 10cc of Fer=
retone =3D 75g/cc =3D 18.75ml were prescribed sig .25 to .3 cc po BID
February 11, 2006: Weight loss continued, Doxyclicline discontinued, conti=
nued Cipro Floxacin and added Tetracycline @ .18cc panmycin aquadrops PO q =
8 hrs.
(Weight 1.8lbs)
February 16, 2006: He was much improved, eating well, and fighting when ta=
king meds Seemed to have gained so weight back.
February 23, 2006: Mass removed from lower jaw and sent for histopath etc,=
February 27. 2006: Again a turn to not eating, vomiting, and weight loss s=
o was given LRS 60cc IP/Reglan 1cc SQ/ B Complex 1cc SQ / Laxatone 1-3c=
c B-TID
March 10, 2006: I noticed swelling in his third toe right front paw, but I=
was scheduled to go out of town and boarded him at vets office where I kn=
ew he would get excellent care. While there he was not eating so was plac=
ed on Baxaril .36cc sq or/m (=3D8l14mg) 6 days, Cefazdin .06cc (=3D10mg) I=
M (PM) for 6 days/ Vitamin K, B12, & B Complex .2cc each SQ / IM 6 days
March 20, 2006: He was getting weaker and was placed on Pred 5 mg IM/ 60c=
c LRS 1P/B12 1cc & B Complex 1cc IP
March 21, 2006: Again a high time, he was a little perkier, eating better
March 27, 2006: Took a turn for the worse, not eating, fighting meds and =
our vet usual vet out of town so I took him to ER Vet for fluids and B12 sh=
ot. They did not have the b12 but convinced us to do lab. Lab results inc=
luded signs of liver and kidney failure and we were sent home with poor pro=
gnosis
March 28, 2006: Snoopy passed away at about 3:15 pm.
June 2006: results of last biopsy: Mycobacterium kansasii
END QUOTE
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