From:
"smdragulin"
Date: 2008-05-24 17:01:33 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] malabsorption struggle
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello everyone!
I hope you are enjoying the extended weekend!
My almost 4 year old male, Mac has been struggling with bad poops for
maybe 8 weeks now, and we have been trying to fix it with no avail. It
all started when I gave them Laxatone for shedding, but I stopped
giving them Laxatone over 3 weeks ago and his poops haven't gotten
better.
Nature of the poops: they have characteristics of malabsorption, but
they are good color. They are soft poos, but they are not too watery
or outright diarrhea. Some are skinny, which I think comes from the
fact that they are softer than they should be. Sometimes the first poo
of the night is more watery and has some more mucous but contains less
fat globules and the second poop of the night is definitely firmer but
has malabsorption all over. So there is a spread of poop quality, but
ALL poopoos are sub-par! There is no blood in his feces and he is not
dehydrated. I changed their diets a month ago to Totally Ferret. I
gave him Benebac which helped a little with the malabsorption for a
few days, but then it came right back. Then the vet gave him
Metronizadole twice a day for four days and that firmed his poops but
didn't have an effect on the malabsorption. I finished the
Metronizadole three days ago. Everything else is ok and he is playing,
eating and drinking normally. He is a portly ferret and he hasn't lost
ANY weight as a result of this condition.
During my research on the ferret health list archives I came across
suggestions that I should cut out fat from his diet. So I will cut out
the ferretone. Others have said I should give him baby food for a
while. What do you guys think? He lives with two other ferrets. Would
this baby food negatively affect them? Should I try any other
medications? Should I try some more Benebac? The vet said there is no
need for a diagnosis and I should just "wait it out"... is that wise?
It has been two months of this, and I don't want him to keep being sick.
I very much appreciate any help you can give us. Thank you very much
and HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY! :)
Sonia and Mac
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