From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2009-02-26 06:35:05 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:Megaesophagus
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hello everyone
Treatment of megaesophagus is mostly supportive,
because no one knows what actually causes this
problem in ferrets. It may be related to low blood
glucose (insulinoma) and nerve damage to the esophagus,
but we do not know for sure
Treatment includes feeding a semi-liquid diet (Hill's a/d,
baby food, Carnivore Care, etc), holding the ferret upright for
10+ minutes after eating, Carafate to coat the esophagus and
stomach, and antacid (Pepcid, Tagamet, Zantac, etc) to lower
stomach acid production, and an anti vomiting medication
(Cerenia or Reglan) to control the vomiting. If there is low blood
glucose then Pediapred is also needed. A stomach tube (PEG
tube) may help heal the erosions and ulcers in the esophagus.
Antibiotics (Amoxicillin, Biaxin) for stomach ulcers may be needed.
SQ fluids and a gram negative antibiotic (Baytril or Zeniquin) may
be needed if there is aspiration pneumonia present. This is a
frustrating problem that takes a lot of time and medications to
try to control it.
Hope that helps clear up some of the confusion,
Jerry Murray, DVM
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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