Awhile back someone asked about how to treat Helicobacter and ulcers in
ferrets.  There are 2 common protocols.  The first one is the "triple
therapy".  This means giving 1)amoxicillin (30mg/kg), 2)metronidazole
(Flagyl 20mg/kg), and 3)bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol 17.5mg/kg) 3
times a day for 3-4 weeks.  The newer protocol is to give 1)clarithromycin
(Biaxin 25mg/kg) and 2) ranitidine bismuth (Tritec 24mg/kg) 3 times a day
for 2 weeks.  Ranitidine is the same thing as Zantac, and bismuth is
similiar to Pepto-Bismol.  (Thus Tritec is sort of Zantac and Pepto in one
medicine.  Plus it also has citrate in it.) Other antacids such as Tagamet
(10mg/kg) 3 times a day or Prilosec (0.7mg/kg) just once a day can be used
instead of Tritec.  In addition Carafate the "ulcer band-aid" (1/8 of the
tablet or 1 ml of the suspension) can also be used prior to feeding.  If
you use Carafate, then do not give the antacid 1/2 hour before or after the
Carafate; because the Carafate needs an acid stomach in order to work.  A
bland diet such as Hill's a/d or Gerber's baby food (chicken or turkey)
also helps.  Since most ferrets hate Pepto and most hate Flagyl, treatment
with Biaxin, an antacid, and Carafate is usually the best way to go.
Biaxin comes in a fruit punch flavor that most ferrets tolerate.
 
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM
 
[Sukie note:  Scooter thought that his Biaxin was a treat; he loved it.]
[Posted in FML issue 3479]