From:
"fristalee"
Date: 2007-04-19 01:12:31 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Vet Question - eye infections
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Alicia,
Just wanted to maybe ease your mind by saying that a culture of an eye
is useless, the eyes have tons of bacteria on them and if you cultured
your own eye you would get heavy growth of god knows what. I wouldn't
go by that too much. Based on what you've told us, the eye
"infection" does not go away no matter what type of antibiotic you
have given. The spectrum of antibiotics that you've given would kill
almost any bacteria there is which leads me to believe that there's
something else going on.
My thoughts for underlying causes include:
1) a systemic infection such as distemper (though at this point the
ferret would be very sick if not dead, so this is extremely unlikely)
or some other systemic infection. Is the ferret healthy otherwise?
Being that only one eye is affected, this is lower on the list.
2) There is something else wrong with the eye causing the discharge.
I would recommend that your vet do a complete ophthalmic examination
including a schirmer tear test to test for dry eye and a fluorescein
stain test to see if a corneal ulcer may be present. Also, have your
vet pay particular attention to the eyelids, and look for abnormal
rolling in of the lids, or abnormal hairs which may come in contact
with the eye. If no luck, then I would search for a veterinary
ophthalmologist. Where are you located? There may be one in your area.
Good luck!
Christa
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Ferretwise <ferretwise@...> wrote:
>
>
> I am hoping some vets on this list may have some experience dealing
with a
> similar problem- our shelter vet who is treating this is at a loss
as to
> what to try next.
>
> The ferret was purchased on or about the end of Mar 2007 from a Pet
store.
> At the time of purchase the ferret had puss originating in one eye -
> Following purchase the ferret was brought to a vet and a treatment of
> amoxy was tried with little to no effect, the veterinarian then
prescribed
> Baytril and the infection was more pronounced puss going from a light
> yellow to green cast
>
> a culture was done on the discharge 3/28/07 at it revealed:
>
> Organism #1 Proteus Mirabilis Heavy growth No anaerobic bacteria
isolated
> Organism #2 Escherichia Coli Heavy Growth
> Organism #3 Klebsieella Pneumoniae Heavy growth
> Organism #4 Enterococcus Species Heavy Growth
>
>
> Since the findings the treatments have included Tetracycline ,
ointment w/
> PolymixinB, Cipro 2 wk course) and is currently on Norfloxacin &
Clindamycin
>
> After all this the puss still continues formthe eye.
>
> Other meds discarded from consideration as a precaution was
> Chloramphenicol due to the caretaker being pregnant.
>
> IS there anyone out there who might recommend a treatment plan to
help the
> ferret and those caring for it?
>
> Please email to ferretwise@... and I will get the information
> directly over to the treating DVM.
>
> Thanks very much.
>
> Alicia www.ferretwise.org
>
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