**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:    sheena staples <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Vet Question
>We've got a virus sorta meandering through our shelter and while it has
>virtually no ill effects on the health of the majority of the ferrets, we
>are concerned about the long term effects.
 
This is a hard one to call.  First off viruses cannot be cultured like
bacteria, so if a virus is present a bacterial stool culture does not tell
you anything.  The consistency of the stool is common for any type of
gastrointestinal inflammation.  The helicobacter you have read about on the
FML also typically will not show up on a fecal culture.  I would try
antibiotics along with pepto-bismol and gauge the results.
 
Mike Dutton, DVM, DABVP
Weare Animal Hospital
Weare, NH.
[Posted in FML issue 1643]