From:
"Jennifer Bell"
Date: 2007-10-16 17:58:47 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Chronic Explosive Diarrhea (Who is Kodo's "Step-Sister"?)
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello Ferret Folks!
My 5 1/2 year old ferret, Squiggy has finally stumped my vet. She's
going to her veterinary forums and I'm coming to you guys for help.
A little history:
Sometime in mid-July, Squiggy stopped eating, was grinding his teeth,
and lost a LOT of weight, so off to the vet we went. His first
diagnosis was an ulcer, so amoxicillin was started and a barium x-ray
scheduled. Some of you folks helped me with syringe feeding
techniques during this time period, thanks again. Barium X-Ray
showed no blockages and nothing of note, carafate was suggested, but
his teeth grinding stopped, so was never prescribed.
End of July/beginning of August, the amoxicillin ran out (2 week
regime), he began having wet, loose stool, and progressed to
explosive liquid diarrhea ranging in color from browns, greens, and
oranges, within 24 hours, so back to the vet we went. He was put
back on the amoxicillin (0.5 ccs 2x a day) as well as the following:
Prednisone 0.7 ccs, Metronidazole 0.3 ccs 2x a day, and Actigall 0.3
ccs. I don't have the ml info, sorry. He was also scheduled for an
abdominal ultrasound and his stool checked for worms/parasites.
Within 24 hours of the new meds, his stool was back to normal. Stool
sample showed nothing and the ultrasound showed only signs of
inflamation of the GI, no adrenal tumors, no insulinomas, no other
masses. IBD was the new diagnosis and we continued the meds for 2
weeks. When the amoxicillin ran out, the diarhhea came back in it's
full, colorful glory. I called the vet, who renewed the amoxicillin
and began tapering him off of the prednisone (0.6 ccs).
So Squiggy has been on Amoxicillin for almost 3 months with a few
days off in between prescription renewals. We were at the vet's on
Saturday and discussing the fact that he will not only eventually
become immune to amoxocillin, but his immune system will eventually
not be able to get rid of simple infections and he could die from
something little. She renewed the amoxicillin for 2 more weeks while
we both investigate other possiblities.
I found a post in the FHL archives in which somebody's mother's
ferret, Kodo, had almost identical symptoms/treatment (minus
exploratory surgery, which I cannot afford), but couldn't find
people's replies. I welcome anyone/everyone's input, especially
Kodo's "step-sister"'s experience/resolution since we are at a
complete loss and Squiggy can't stay on amoxocillin forever.
It is also my understanding that normal treatment for IBD is
prednisone, so we're not even sure that is the final diagnosis.
Thank you everyone in advance.
Jennifer and her Jersey Fuzzbuckets
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