Unfortunately, I have spent the last seven weeks trying to pull my two
ferrets, Rocky & Farrah (both over 5-years-old) from the horrible grip of
ECE (confirmed by blood & lab work).  Farrah is finally progressing toward
the end and there seems to be a light at the end of her tunnel.  However,
there doesn't appear to be a light for Rocky at this point.
 
Rocky continues to have horrible diarrhea and nausea.  Anything that goes
into his stomach doesn't stay there long.  The vet feels because of the
amount of time that has gone by now, that every day this continues to
persist may now cause permanent irreversible damage and his chance of
survival appears to be growing dim.
 
My veterinarian has tried everything he knows and has tried to call and
consult with Dr. Williams and Dr. Kawasaki, but they are both on vacation.
(I have printed & given him every FAQ on ECE that I could find.) He is
hesitant to try any other medications that he's never used on ferrets before
until he explores potential side effects.
 
I will list the medications that he is taking or has taken in the hopes that
someone who was been fortunate enough to get past this horrendous virus may
have some successful advice or suggestions to share with me.
 
Rocky & I would truly appreciate anything that you can think of that may
help.
 
= tsp Carafate Suspension twice a day to coat the stomach lining.
= cc Pectillin twice a day for diarrhea.
5 mg Prednisone tablet or .5 cc Prednisone injection daily.  As of today,
the dosage has been reduced to a .2 cc injection for inflammation of the
stomach/intestines.
Total of 60 to 75 cc's (in 24 hour period) of Lactated Ringer's & Dextrose
Suspensions alternated and given subcutaneously up to four times a day as
needed for dehydration.
.5 ml Amoxil to try and prevent any secondary infections.
As much PediaLyte as he can tolerate for dehydration.
1/4 tablet of .2 mg Centrine or .2 cc's given subcutaneously for
nausea/stomach spasm.
1/4 tablet of Lomitil as needed for severe diarrhea (when Centrine has not
been given).
Pureed baby food chicken & turkey (and AD Diet) diluted w/ Sustacal or
PediaLyte for protein.
Sustacal as tolerated (nutritional supplement).
He is given as many of his medicines as is possible by injection on the
days that the diarrhea is most severe so that the medicine has a chance to
absorb into his body without immediately being passed right back out before
it has a chance to benefit him.
 
Rocky can't continue on like he is now for much longer and I am hoping that
maybe one of you will be able to provide that one magic answer that can help
to turn this around.  As I'm sure you must already know, I need not even
have to tell you how special he is to me -- as it goes without saying.
Thanks for listening and passing anything you can think of along to me that
may help.
 
In Ferret Love & Brotherhood,
Mary, Farrah, & Rocky
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[Posted in FML issue 2066]