Mike Janke writes
>ECE ferrets will often seem to slowly improve, only to relapse about two
>weeks later.
 
I also saw this when I ran a shelter.  My own personal theory is that while
ECE caused the initial symptoms, the stress of the illness allowed the the
helicobacter bacteria to gain control.
 
In humans, H. pylori is commonly found in the stomach, but only when other
factors are present, such as genetic disposition and stress, do symptoms
(ulcers) occur.  Helicobacter is also endemic in ferrets.  In some cases,
I think ECE is the trigger for symptoms.
 
I did find that treatment with Biaixin (more expensive but less yucky
tasting than Flagyl) and Carafate was helpful in many of these cases.
 
Linda Iroff
Oberlin OH
[Posted in FML issue 3164]