http://www.smartgroups.com/message/readmessage.cfm?gid=1423922&messageid=4106
 
Author wrote:
>I am new to the group, but have kind of a serious problem.  Calvin will
>turn four in May.  Since Christmas he has been dealing with an ulcer.
>It was first diagnosed as IBD, and during his adrenal surgery (a month
>ago) biopsies were taken to confirm.  It was not IBD, but was later
>diagnosed as a Helicobacter ulcer.  He is solely on Carafate and
>Clavamox, and we pushed her to give us something else to help (like
>Biaxin).  His stool most of the time is a liquid, tarry mess.  A fecal
>test showed he did not have upper GI bleeding.  She finally gave us
>Flagyl and he surprisingly takes it okay.  However, yesterday she
>prescribed Neomycin.  I have looked it up on the net and didn't like
>a lot of what I read.  Does anybody have experience with this drug?
>
>He has also had a prolapsed rectum for the last week or so.  It's off
>an on, but I can just imagine the inflammation this ulcer is causing.
>Is there any medication we can give him for this instead of just
>Preparation H?
 
Neomycin is a poor choice for an ulcer.  While the chance of side effects
are low, it simply has little effect.
 
I am a bit confused - if your vet was biopsying for IBD (taking samples
from the small intestine), how could you diagnose a Helicobacter ulcer
(ulcers are identified in the stomach?)  Also there is no such item as a
Helicobacter ulcer - you may have Helicobacter, you may have an ulcer,
but the two are not connected.
 
Also you say that the stools are a tarry mess, but there is no upper GI
bleeding?  It is digested blood that results in the black color of the
stool, so there is obviously bleeding, and obviously an ulcer.  I am
hesitant though to judge whether either Helicobacter or IBD are at play
(although they might be.)
 
When you have a gastric ulcer, you must treat it before any other
problem, as it is potentially life-threatening.  A bland diet, and
carafate are the cornerstones of ulcer treatment.  Over the years, I have
tended to shy away from concomitant treatment for Helicobacter (clavamox
and Flagyl), as the more meds you administer to a sick ferret, the higher
the chance of inducing or worsening a stress ulcer (especially if Flagyl
is being administered.)
 
A lot of blood in the feces will result in loose stools, so it is
important we treat the ulcer first, clear that up, then we can reassess
for IBD.  (Plus, we can also get the story straight.)
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
[Posted in FML issue 4122]