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>1 Buster should be on carafate for a few weeks, is it o.k.
>he is back eating the ferret food since he feels so much better and
>should I consider Helicobacter treatment if he is still grinding?  I
>can't feed him the baby food more than twice a day on weekdays because
>of work, so I feel that he won't get enough to eat if I don't let him
>eat the ferret food.
 
I generally recommend a bland diet during ulcer treatments - but some
kibble probably won't hurt, especially as it appears that he is on the
mend.  Try to feed him every four hours while you are home - that will
still allow him three or four feedings per day.
 
>2. If the second ferrets stool is positive for coccidia, since he is on
>the Bactrim for 14 of the 21 days now, do I change him and everyone else
>to Albon and restart the deep cleanings and bleachings all over again?
 
No, I would stay with the Bactrim up to 28 days - some infections can
take a little longer to clear with Bactrim.  I usually recommend using
Albon first, though.
 
>3. For how long do I keep up the cleanings?  I figured only necessary
>while symptomatic.  And I cleaned with a bleach solution, all the cages
>were wiped down initially- using paper towels that I threw away after
>each cleaning and all boxes, and water bowls and bottles.  Then I just
>did the boxes every other day and kept the one isolated to his own
>litter box and cage until his diarrhea was gone.  Then for the past week,
>since Buster didn't have any diarrhea I stopped the thorough cleanings
>and let him into the group again.
>
>Is there a different way to clean, or better way to clean if the stool
>for the other ferret is positive?  how long to isolate?
 
They can still shed infective oocysts while not symptomatic, so the
cleanings should continue until the stools are cleared.  Isolation isn't
as important as long as you keep the litters cleaned and the boxes and
cages disinfected.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3944]