chronic diarrhea turns fatal

Question
QUESTION: my ferret has had diarrhea for 4-6 wks now. at times he may vomit and he will no longer eat his normal food (totally ferret). I have taken him to see a vet at least 3x and there has not been a positive change yet. he is on flagyl, amoxi, carafate and pred. these drugs have not helped his condition at all.  he will only eat a/d mixed with water. also, after eating he poops w/i 5-10 min. his food is not being able to digest. at times he may also vomit. therefore, i give him sq fluids to rehydrate him. his doctor was thinking that he may have ibd but the treatment is not working. i live in the baltimore, md area. can you suggest any other doctors to take him to? please help.
ANSWER: Hi Maxine:

You may think this is odd, but I actually have a ferret who has had the very same symptoms!  And the good news is that after two years of trying everything we could think of, on a whim I bought some Marshalls' Uncle Jim's Duck Soup Mix (comes in a dry powder form).It contains ONLY chicken, liver, and a bunch of natural herbs and acidophillus - friendly things for the gut.

I put about a tablespoonful of the powder into a custard cup, fill it about half full with hot water from the tap, stir well, then put into the microwave until it just starts to boil - about 15 seconds on my microwave.  Then let it sit on the counter and stir it every few minutes until it reconstitutes fully (You may need to add more water to keep it 'soupy' - it should look just like Grandma's gravy (people gravy :-) when it's ready. You may need to re-warm it after you add water.  Just mess around with it until it is gravy consistency and nice and warm to serve to them.

Put the ferret on your lep (have a paper towel handy) and dip your finger into the mixture, then into the side of the ferret's mouth so they get a taste.  This stuff is the FIRST time that both of my ferrets are crazy about it  (even tho only one needs to be on it LOL).  They really slurp it down quickly and at least here, we had immediate results.  What had been watery bowels (and fighting dehydration constantly just as you have been) suddenly turned into absolutely NORMAL looking poops - formed, right color, and she LOVES IT!

So, I would very very strongly recommend getting ahold of this stuff for your little one.  Hopefully it will work as well as it has for me.  I feed as much as she will eat four times a day - first thing in the morning, last thing at night and twice, spaced as evenly as possible in between.

Please let me know if this works for you?  Your vet has your ferret on exactly the same stuff my Kylie was on and I've been able to totally discontinue ALL of the medications (unbelievable) and my vet is in shock!  The stuff is a little expensive, so be sure not to waste any (I cover any (wet) leftovers and keep in the refrigerator up to 48 hours).

Please try it and write to me and let me know if it works for you?  I'm curious at this point, especially since your ferret is on the exact same meds  my Kylie was on.  On the jar it comes in, it says to use only for several days while they are sick or recovering, but my vet looked at the ingredients and said they are EXCELLENT - NO FILLERS - MEAT ONLY along with "gut friendly" additives!

I will be anxious to hear from you!

Sincerely,
Jacquie Rodgers

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hey Jacquie,

I took Bandit to see a different doctor and they switched his meds (amforol, pred and baytril). He was on these med for about 2wks. Also, they decided to change his food to carnivore care (powder mix). His bldwk showed that his protein count was extremely low. i tried all of these things and he became worse. He was not eating at all. when i forced feed him he would immediately vomit and defecate it out instantly.  Then began to have bloody diarrhea. I began giving him sq fluids daily to keep him hydrated. unfortunately, bandit was pts on thursday, april 19, 2007. his doctor cld me that morning and explained that there was nothing else to do. he was scheduled for a biopsy that week but he was too weak. The doctor now thinks that he may have had cancer in his intestines or stomach. he was my everything.  I can actually say that he was smarter than the average person..lol. he bought so much joy into my life. it was just the two of us that lived together. i cant stop thinking about him and crying. know one seems to understand except the people close to me.  thank you for all your advise. it was nice to have someone to communicate with. hopefully, this will help other ferret owners out there.

):   ):   ):  

take care. enjoy all the time that u have with ur ferrets.

sincerely,

maxine  

Answer
Oh, Maxine, I'm SO sorry to hear about your precious little Bandit :-(   I absolutely understand what you mean about them meaning so much to you - mine are the same way. They are absolutely like children to me and it just never gets easier to lose them.  It's too bad the vet didn't do a post mortem so you would know what took him from you. It could have been anything from a blockage to cancer, but one guess is as good as another.  Regardless, he is gone and I am just SO very very sad for you.

I hope you will consider making room in your life for another precious little one some day.  I would bet there are shelters near you with little ones watching the doors every day for someone to come in and take then home. Some poor souls live out their whole lives in shelters, which is so very heartbreaking, especially when you know the potential they have with one-on-one love.

I wish you the best and hope your heart will heal. There just is no deeper pain,  I know.  If there is any way I can ever help youu - maybe you need a list of shelters in your area? - please  don't hesitate to write again.  I will hope for better news next time.

Take care & God bless!

Sincerely,

Jacquie Rodgers