From:
Motor City Ferrets
Date: 2008-04-30 03:46:58 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Coccidiosis and gastritis in Ethiopia -- need advice
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I must say I'm sorry for the circumstance of your message, but how wonderful to hear of ferret friends in Ethiopia! :)
We had an outbreak of coccidia in our Shelter in Summer, 2006. We lost 7 of the 42 ferrets in the Shelter at the time. Indeed at least 3 died from perforated ulcerations, which was secondary to the coccidia infestation.
We treated using most of the same drugs I believe you used: sulfa based Albon, carafate (your stomach coater perhaps?), amoxicillan, plus metronitazole for the ulcers. Also of course intense nutritional and fluid support. The first two who became ill died, and I do believe it's at least in part because we didn't realize what was going on. They were both brand new surrenders and presented with black, tarry stools - so we assumed what we call "Shelter Shock" and began treating for gastric ulcers, along with nutritional and fluid support. As for the other 5, we're not sure why the coccidia claimed some and not others...nor do we know why only some became obviously ill, while the majority - including some who had other health issues onboard - were not apparently affected (of course we treated everyone).
I wish I could tell you how to "fix the problem" if you will. I will tell you we treated with the Albon for 21 days, plus the other medications as necessary - along with the nutritional and fluid support. I still can't find a reason why those who died became affected and died...there was no rhyme or reason to who was hit hardest. Only two of our ferrets who became very ill recovered, so the outbreak was devastating to our population.
One thing I've learned is that coccidia can be onboard and rear it's head at any time, especially after a stress. I'd consider an international move to be stressful, and that's not to say that the critters weren't happy or well cared for, but certainly the experience was likely something different! So while your crew may have picked up the coccidia in Addis Ababa, one could also have had some onboard already. And keep in mind that we consider everyone who passed through our doors for a 6 month period to have been "exposed," and since the outbreak two critters who were not "sick" during the outbreak if you will have had their own problems with coccidia since (as I say, it can lurk in the intestine). So after you're past this nightmare, do keep in mind that anyone could have it onboard and look for it whenever there's a sign of any kind of health issue for your ferrets in the future.
We also learned that the coccidia can be very difficult to spot in a stool check! We were doing stool checks like mad during the experience, and one was for a girl that I thought was very near death. I knew she was terribly affected, but her first stool check was clear. Only when we did a second check did the technician find ONE egg. ONE?!?!? Agnes was just this side of death! Fortunately Aggie was one of our two survivors...my little miracle girl. So basically even if you can't find eggs in the stool your critters could still be having trouble.
Although I'm not sure the exact drugs you're using, it sounds like your vet has the critters on a broad range of weapons from the arsenal. Be ever vigilant for the gastric ulcers and keep up the nursing. Oh, and our vet suggested that the more frequently our critters took in food, the better - as an empty system is more vulnerable. We ended up feeding small amounts of plain chicken baby food every hour to the sick'uns (with very little reprise for sleep) to help keep something going in, even if the critters would otherwise eat on their own.
Best of luck to you and your ferrets. It sounds like you're doing everything you can and are a devoted ferret parent.
Nanci
Motor City Ferrets
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