From:
"Bonnie Russell"
Date: 2009-07-15 16:49:47 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Need info on Coccidia-like organism-For immediate port
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Three ferrets came in to our shelter from the county animal control on June 23rd and began showing symptoms of severe green diarrhea, followed immediately by dehydration,and loss of appetite on July 12th. Poo samples sent to ferret knowledgeable vet who observed a coccidia-like organism under the microscope but smaller. Not familiar with this,he sent the samples off to AnTech. They describe this as a neosporosis coccidia-like organism, smaller than normal coccidia, and very much proliferated in the samples. They also had no official name for it and did not say it actually was coccidia, only that it resembled. The ferrets exhibiting symptoms are very critically ill and need sub-q and IV fluids, hand-fed, and started on Albon along with the rest of the shelter. Other ferrets are now exhibiting symptoms. Our vet also wants to treat with something called ponazuril.
Questions:1) Does anyone have info specifically on this type of coccidia-like organism (a name for it would be nice) and could this be the same as the recent outbreaks that caused some deaths at other shelters? 2) Has anyone had experience with treating with Ponazuril? 3) Any other info or experience in successful treatment.
Sick ferrets are being separated from others as much as possible, given fluids, albon, and supportive critical care 24/7 . I also heard that ammonia can be used to kill coccidia, rather than bleach but would like any scientific info on the best way to disinfect , on a reasonable level since this is a shelter. Thanks for your help. We have had no deaths, but we do have other fragile elderly ferrets in our care that may be more susceptable
Bonnie
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