From:
"RisaD"
Date: 2009-03-14 13:54:43 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re:need help diarrhea and lethargy
To: <lssmith@inbox.com>, "FHL FHL" <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
We have dealt with the same thing with our ferret. We had been giving him things to deal with the diahrea (slippery elm, bene-bac) and beginning to consider with the vet if he had IBD and suddenly one day he was so lethargic, a bit cooler to the touch, and not wanting to eat much. We took him to the vet immediately. Our ferret was kind enough to give a stool sample on the way - our vet checked it and he had coccidia. He was put on Albon and Clavamox and started doing better right away. I couldn't believe it got overlooked when he first had diarhea (he was tested) but supposedly it can be hard to catch on a fecal because it only tests positive when they're shedding it.
Good luck!!!
Risa
PS the diarhea can dehydrate so if you give them any type of ferret soup it's helpful (just kibble soaked in water and blended can help for hand feedings) and if you have any add in Marshalls Ferret Aide which is an electrolyte replacer. Our ferret was dehydrated the vet did sub-q fluids too
[Moderator's Note:
There are two tricks with coccidia. The first is that the
parasite is not always having enough of a bloom to even
find it, so people are advised that a specimen of the
diarrhea should be checked daily for about a week if it
is not found sooner. The second is that some vets only
check for the genus that is usually found in dogs and
cats but ferrets get a second genus that can be harder
to spot, especially if a person is not looking for it.
See:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG590
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG616
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YPG550
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17961 ]
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