GEnie Pet-Net RT
        F.HOFFMAN3 [Dr. H]           at 23:45 EST
 
Regarding the prior message on vestibular disease caused by the
inner ear. Did the veterinarian consider the problem to be a
"nerve disease" (a  neuritis) or an inner ear infection (like
children's earaches: otitis media).  Otitis m. can be bacterial
in origin.  If not treated correctly with appropriate
antibiotics, it can lead to meningitis which can cause all kinds
of neurologic symptoms in people and can lead to death.  It
sounds like the ferret, Wolfe, had a localized neurologic problem
which could have been either--he got better on "medication" (??)
but then got recurrence and later severe worsening.  I would be
interested to know what kind(s) of drugs he was adminitered.
 
Freddie Ann Hoffman, M.D.
 
[Posted in FML issue 0215]