From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2010-07-31 23:28:58 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Pemphigus
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I am posting this on behalf of a friend of mine who is a foster mom with th=
e Ferret Rescue Society of Ottawa and is looking after this ferret. I have=
permission to post this message and the photos.
The ferret is a 3 year-old male.
Last summer the original owner took this ferret to a vet for `scabs' all ov=
er head, body and feet. He was treated with Convenia injection (a slow 14 d=
ay release Cephalosporin antibiotic). Lesions had `some' improvement but ca=
me back within a week post meds =96 lesions increased in severity with time=
.
Nothing further was done and the ferret was subsequently surrendered to the=
Ferret Rescue of Ottawa with a raging infection.
It was found that the ferret had eaten a fire=96bellied NEWT, and was scrat=
ched on the nose by the newt, a short time prior to the onset of any clinic=
al signs.
On presentation to the current attending vet =96 the ferret had pododerma=
titis on all four feet, severe crusting and scabbing on face, neck, and dor=
sum. Skin scraping was negative, as was a DTM fungal assay.
Culture & Sensitivity =96 yielded "Aeromonas hydrophilia" group, sensitive =
to several antibiotics, including enrofloxacin. It was assumed this normal=
ly marine bacteria was related to the newt....
On Baytril, lesions cleared up remarkably. A small scab remained on the tip=
of the nose.
The course of Baytril ran for 6 weeks, as long as lesions were present, yet=
healing.
In May =96 while still on Baytril =96 lesions began to recur =96 and withi=
n a short time became out of control.
Culture & Sensitivity did not yield the Aeromonas organism again. E. Coli w=
as cultured (which was sensitive to the Baytril) but was assumed to be like=
ly from fecal contamination as one of the sample areas was the bottom of th=
e foot.
A biopsy was done and the results confirmed pemphigus. The ferret is curre=
ntly on 0.8mL of prednisolone (5mgs/mL) twice a day and is bathed twice a w=
eek with Dermazole. His condition is neither improved nor worsened since o=
n the prednisolone.
There is little in the literature on pemphigus in ferrets, although there a=
re several papers on the condition in other animals.
The FHL archives have already been searched and did yield information. How=
ever, we are hoping that there is someone who has experience with pemphigus=
and will share what treatments they may have used and whether they had any=
success, and in general what their experiences were.
All input would be greatly appreciated!
Pictures have been posted under Pemphigus in the photo section of the FHL.
Thank you!
Tressie
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