From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2006-07-06 01:05:58 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: need help-vomiting white goo
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Hi Hillery,
You are describing perfectly a condition called Mega Esophagus. While it is uncommon to see it in a ferret as young as yours, the symptoms -with exception to the chubby belly- are all a fit, but it may still be early in the disease, if that is what it is.
MegaE will cause the ferret to regurgitate the food they have eaten. The food likely never reaches the stomach. There will be gurgling and squirting sounds coming from the stomach and throat area as the trapped air escapes.
Ferrets with MegaE will lose weight. Both ferrets I had with it were in late stages where they were skeletal when they came to me, so I don't know how long it took the disease to get to that point. Both were 3-4 years of age. Both would regurgitate a white frothy material.
Try feeding him in an upright position on your lap and feed a soup that is about as thick as a cream soup. Let him lick the soup from the tip of a syring. Feed him slowly to allow him to swallow without choking on it. Inhaling their food due to difficulty swallowing is a real threat with these kids.
With both of my MegaE boys, when they would start to have the food back up in their throats, they would stiffen and look very frightened. I would gently massage their necks to get them to relax then let them down to run for a few minutes before trying to feed them again.
There are medications that can be used to help. Zantac and Reglan can help. We didn't have a lot of luck with Carafate to prevent ulcers as each would get worse when we used it.
If you want more information you are welcome to write me off-list. I cannot think of any other condition that presents with the symptoms you describe.
Julie
Author wrote:
I've been to the vet for about 3 months now trying to
> figure out why my new baby is vomiting white goo. About April he started vomiting, usually a little food mixed in what I
> can only describe as a mucousy white goo. At first I only found it occasionially, in the last month it's
> been daily. He is otherwise happy and healthy, normal poo, energetic playing. He is pretty chubby in the belly, I don't know if that could be related. Someone on the TriFL list asked if he gobbles his food, and yes he does, he eats really fast and then he stops and slows down while is stomach makes gurgling noises, and he licks his mouth like a little food is coming back up. His stomach/esophagas also makes
> squeeking/air escaping noises after I give him all of his medicines.He's had a barrium test and didn't reflux at all during that. He's been on the stronger stuff for 2 weeks and he's started vomiting MORE (today it was at least 3 times!).
My ferret is still happy, and otherwise seems healthy, so I'm keeping him alive without question, but daily vomiting just dosn't seem right. Does anyone have any idea what this cold be or what other vets I could try. I know Dr X is doing his best, but from our conversations he really has no clue what this is. > Hillery
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