I am not up to date on the FML at all, however I have a problem I'm
hoping someone can help me with.  I have a little girl who we suspect
has irritable bowel syndrome.  She is about 6-7 years old (I'm her 3rd
home).  She has had diarrhea off & on since July.  Much too long for her
to be acutely sick with anything.  In fact her weight is up from 1.6 lbs
a couple of months ago to 1.9 lbs today.  Not just runny stools, but
explosive, incontinence.  Normal color, just a bit lighter, but nothing
weird.  She tries to get to the bottom of the cage, but frequently
does not make it.  At times her rectum is inflamed and when I apply
preparation H it goes down fairly quickly.  My vet gave me something
"better" to use on it today.  Otherwise she is completely normal.  She
appears to be happy, loves attention, loves to play, loves to cause
trouble (chasing the cats), loves to hide, loves to eat & get treats,
and loves to sleep.  I've thought that I would have to put her to sleep
several times, but I can't justify it based on her attitude towards life.
I have another ferret in the cage with her and he has never had any of
the same symptoms, so it's not anything contagious.
 
I've had her on several different antibiotics, steroids, anti-diarrheals,
homeopathics, and what not, and they always seem to work for about a
week, then it all comes back - every time!!  She's had several stool
cultures and they don't show anything.  I completely trust my vet, but
we're running out of ideas.  In the past, I've gotten some very, very
useful advice from the FML, so I thought I'd give it a whirl.  We go back
to the vet on Tuesday.  I would be best for me if people who respond
could e-mail me directly.  Thanks in advance for your help!
 
Holly
[Posted in FML issue 5060]