I know this is cat-related, but I thought it noteworthy enough to pass
along to my ferret friends as well.  It could be meaningful information
that might affect your ferrets.  Please speak with your vets!
 
[Moderator's note: I agree -- quite pertinent to ferrets too.  BIG]
 
http://www.avma.org/onlnews/javma/nov03/031115b.asp
 
Kaopectate reformulation could be dangerous to cats
 
Kaopectate, the over-the-counter diarrhea treatment for humans, recently
has been reformulated to contain an aspirin derivative that is toxic to
cats in high doses.
 
Kaopectate's new formula contains bismuth subsalicylate, which may cause
salicylate toxicosis in cats if they are overdosed.  Previously, the
product contained attapulgite, an inert clay aluminum.  The original
kaolin pectin formula of Kaopectate was replaced by the attapulgite
formula in caplets in 1984, and liquid attapulgite formulations were
first introduced in 1989.
 
The attapulgite formulation of Kaopectate caplets may still be available.
According to a Pfizer Animal Health spokesman, the new formulation of all
liquid forms of Kaopectate began shipping in December 2002.  Reformulated
caplets are scheduled to begin shipping no later than April 2004.
 
Though it is an extralabel use, for decades, veterinarians have
recommended Kaopectate to treat diarrhea in cats and dogs, particularly
for clients who call after hours or are unwilling or unable to get
immediate veterinary care, said Dr. Cory Langston, a diplomate of the
American College of Veterinary Clinical Pharmacology and a member of the
AVMA Council on Biologic and Therapeutic Agents.  Dr. Amy Neal at U.S.
Pharmacopeia, an organization that provides drug information and runs
a medication errors reporting system, alerted Dr. Langston about the
formulation change.
 
"This (product) was prescribed, perhaps in part, because it could do no
harm, since none of the ingredients were absorbed orally.  Because of
this safety factor, large and frequent doses were commonly used." Dr.
Langston said.  "Unlike the old Kaopectate, this new formulation could
result in toxicosis if you don't account for the salicylate content of
the product."
 
Dr. Steve Hansen, a diplomate of the American Board of Veterinary
Toxicology and director of the American Society for the Prevention of
Cruelty to Animals' Animal Poison Control Center, said the range of
recommended aspirin-derivative dosages that have been published for
cats is 10 mg/kg every other day to 25 mg/kg every day.
 
A tablespoon of reformulated children's or regular-strength Kaopectate
contains 130 mg aspirin equivalent, and extra-strength Kaopectate
contains 230 mg aspirin equivalent.  A tablespoon of extra-strength
Kaopectate given to a 5-pound cat would yield 120 mg/kg aspirin
equivalent and would likely result in toxicosis, according to Dr. Hansen.
 
"Cats typically don't metabolize and excrete many compounds, including
aspirin, efficiently, which means we're much more likely to have
effects," Dr. Hansen said.
 
For more information on managing poisons and poison prevention, visit
the ASPCA's Poison Control Center Web site, www.apcc.aspca.org
<http://www.apcc.aspca.org> .
 
Kim Schilling
Author, Ferrets for Dummies
Director, Animals for Awareness
List Mom, Procyonid_Viverrid yahoo group
[Posted in FML issue 4352]