Well, Bailey has been on her new meds for the Helicobacter for 5 doses now.
Our vet said we should start to see a marked improvement two or three days
into the dosings.  That would be tomorrow, allowing her two full days on it.
 
We have stopped giving her Pepto, as the second she tastes it, she throws
up on reflex.  We've tried mixing it with Ferretone, heavy whipping cream
and Ferretvite.  No go, she vomits it immediately.  As I don't feel she
needs any further stress, we decided not to give it.  Instead we crushed up
a Pepcid AC, added 10 cc's of water and give her 1 cc a half hour before
her meals.  It doesn't do any good.  Pepcid AC has been very ineffective
with her.  Fortunately, a friend has some Carafate that she is going to let
me use.  I feel good about that, as I used it on two shelter babies when
they wouldn't eat, and it worked well.
 
I thank everyone for their email's.  However, at this time, I am not
seeking a second opinion from another vet.  I have full confidence in my
vet, and have had him work miracles with other critically ill ferrets at
other times.  Everything he has told us about her condition, her meds and
treatment I have found on the Internet on other ferret sources.
 
I also thank people for their food ideas.  Our biggest problem is not that
Bailey doesn't want to eat, it is that she can't.  Every single thing makes
her sick to her stomach and she spends the next hour grinding her teeth.
We've tried vanilla and strawberry Ensure, Ferretone, Ferretvite, Nutrical,
Gerber's chicken mixed with heavy whipping cream, Gerber's chicken alone,
Duck Soup, Chicken Gravy, peach syrup and Tapioca pudding.  Even water
makes her sick to her stomach.  She wants to eat, she tries to eat, but
can't.  At this point, we are not even sure she is keeping down enough of
the meds to be effective in her treatment.
 
She has the terrible stool associated with this disease, she grinds her
teeth constantly and vomits 90% of the time when given food, water or meds.
 
The only thing that made me feel any better was she got a good night's
sleep last night, which I am hoping is due to the meds.  She seems very
sick to her stomach today, but is still sleeping with another ferret for
comfort.  I do not allow them to share her cage, however, but I do not
wish to disturb her when she wants that comfort.
 
I just am not sure if she is going to be with us much longer, which angers
me to no end.  All of these things are treatable and maintainable, but we
can't get a hold on any of them because they all attacked at once.  I know
for sure I will never ever put another ferret on Prednisone.
 
Julie
[Posted in FML issue 2863]