From:
TheRagans@aol.com
Date: 2009-11-24 05:41:08 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Oreo update
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
At the end of August, Oreo (7 years +/-) refused to eat or drink. She was
found to have intestinal colistridal bacteria infection causing diarrhea
and prolapse. Flagyl was Rx'd. Prednisolone was Rx'd once the antibiotic
therapy was complete (10 days).
There were two unresolved issues. She was spoon feeding well, drinking
independently, but refused to go back on kibble. She started complaining
slightly while in the litter box too. Surgery was discussed. Local vet does
exotics, though few ferrets, and very few surgeries on ferrets each year
and was OK with a referral.
We took her to a ferret specialist on the 11th. Her labs showed good
blood glucose, slightly elevated white blood count, slightly off liver and
kidney function values. Physical exam revealed tummy lump, identified on x-ray
as thickening of the stomach tissues with suspected growth in the pyloric
area. She was sent home with herbals, homeopathics, probiotics; continuing
prednisolone at a lower dosage.
She's been consistently inconsistent. She eats and drinks well, though
not independently. About a week ago, she started developing intermittent
diarrhea. Because we were treating her medically and adjusting meds, I didn't
think much of it. Last week, I mentioned it to the vet when she began
hopping into and out of the litter box frequently.
By midnight last night, she was circling the room frantically, vocalizing,
coughing, sneezing, wretching. We ended up at the Emergency vet again.
The colistridium bacteria is back again, even though she tested negative at
the end of the previous antibiotic therapy. How can this be? He said
that a small amount of bacteria could escape detection on the test, the pred
lowers immune response, allowing bacteria to get out of hand again.
So, I am guessing she's had this bacterial infection simmering for a couple
of months. It blew up (literally) last night. The frantic-ness was
obviously caused by excess gas. ER vet felt it, and while we were waiting
fecal test results, Oreo became horribly flatulent.
Flagyl again. The only other med she is on at the moment is the Nux
Vomica. Is it OK to keep her off the pred for a day or two? She's finally
eating and drinking well again, and just now (24 hours later) had her first
normal bowel movement. Waiting for her vets to respond.
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/