THE ADVICE DISPENSED BY MYSELF IN REFERENCE TO FML POSTINGS IS NOT MEANT TO
SUPPLANT THE ADVICE OF VETERINARIANS WHO ARE IN CHARGE OF THE PATIENT.  IF
THE PATIENT IS NOT CURRENTLY UNDER THE CARE OF A VETERINARIAN, THE CLIENT IS
RECOMMENDED TO TAKE THEIR FERRET TO ONE.
 
>From:    Gary Holowicki <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Merlynn, cardiomyopathy
>According to Joel Wallech, DVM, the cause of cardiomyopathy is lack of
 
Yes, an moderate to severe deficiency of selenium might lead to
cardiomyopathy. However, not all cardiomyopathy is caused by a lack of
selenium.
 
>From:    Vanessa Stevens <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: ferret hiccups
>My 1.5 year old male has been hiccuping a lot lately...
 
Hiccups can be caused by spasm in the diaphragm muscle, pressure from other
organs, gastrointestinal disease, etc. It may be significant, may not. Have
your vet check him out if you want to be sure.
 
>From:    Debbie and Bill Van de Water <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Rudy - Sick Ferret
>Patient: Rudy, albino neutered, male ferret, approximately 3.5 lbs. Born
>approximately 9/93.
 
A biopsy of the stomach and intestinal wall would be a definite help but
after 3 years on a steroid, the results might be severely skewed.
 
A little background...
Eosinophils are a type of blood cell that appear in allergic reactions such
as food allergies, inhalation allergies, intestinal parasites, heartworm,
etc.  Eosinophilic enteritis is a type of intestinal inflammation that has
some allergic component.
 
Prednisolone (or its close cousin prednisone) controls eosinophilic
enteritis by moderating the allergic response.  It can also reduce
inflammtory changes in general.
 
Long term steroids can also result in gastrointestinal ulcers.
 
Back to Rudy...
One of the questions that comes to mind is whether the eosinophils found on
the rectal swab were secondary to eosinophilic enteritis or to the
roundworms. I assume Rudy was treated for roundworms and a repeat fecal
examination was down two weeks after medicating. Even after treatment,
eosinophils can remain high for days to weeks.
 
The next question is whether the prednisolone is controlling the
eosinophilic enteritis or is resulting in a generalized reduction of
inflammation in the intestinal tract.
 
Possible things to do now...
1. Treat Rudy for gastrointestinal ulcers using peptobismol, sulcrafate and
   amoxicillin.
2. Repeat a fecal examination.
3. While monitoring response (which might take four to eight weeks) on the
   new medications, continue the steroids.
 
a. If Rudy dramatically improves, taper him slowly off of the Prednisolone.
b.  If he does not improve, consider treating him for the enteritis by not
only the steroids but again try diet modification.  Long term low dose
antibiotics (such as metronidazole) might help also.  The goal is to make
Rudy healthier and try to reduce his steroid dependence.
 
>From:    Ren <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: ear mites
>Hi again!  I most recently went to a different pet store and noticed they
>had a batch of tiny ones hidden in a glass room...
 
Yes, they can be common.  On a personal note, I would be concerned about a
pet store that did not deal with this very minor (but contagious to other
ferrets) before the ferrets were put on display.  Buyer beware.
 
>From:    Jessica Woodward <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Another Q about shots....
>Hi again. Forgot to ask one of the most impt. things.
>When I bought Legend, the pet store told me she had all of her first shots
 
1. Check out the FAQ on vaccine schedules.
2. Yes, your ferret needs to finish the vaccines.
3. Feline distemper is not a problem in ferrets.  Years ago, the
   recommendation was to vaccinate them against it but that is now ancient
   history.  There is no evidence they get the disease.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH.
[Posted in FML issue 1535]