There is no indication for gripe water (dill seed oil and sodium
bicarbonate) in this case.  the use of sodium bicarbonate would have no
effect in the small intestine, and I am unfamiliar with any documented
evidence in beneficial effects of dill seed oil.
 
A dosage of 1/4 crushed tablet is too much PB, to start with, by about
400%.  while there is a good safety margin, the appropriate dose in a
ferret is 1/15 of a tablet.
 
I do not recommend using any kibble, wet down or not - ferrets with ECE
(if the diagnosis is valid) cannot digest any kibble.  My experience is
that straight baby food for 4 weeks is the best way to go in such cases.
The ECE damaged intestine cannot digest much at all, and low-fiber foods
such as baby food are probably as much as most can handle.
 
Save your money on the gripe water - if he is drinking plenty of water,
just make sure he is taking lots of food as well.  If we are truly dealing
with ECE, it will sort itself out.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 3512]