Treating ulcers came under scrutiny in Issue 37:
 
 Subject: Question about treating ulcers and Helicobacter
 
Unfortunately, the finalization of the blood test for Helicobacter was not
finalized by the company.  It is probably a good thing however, as ferrets
are ubiquitously infected with Helicobacter, and a positive test would
likely yield no useful information.
 
I am not a fan of Pepcid use in the treatment of Helicobacter.  The effect
of the organism on the stomach is to decrease the stomach's ability to
secrete acid, which is necessary for digestion.  This effect raises the pH
of the stomach.  Pepcid, by shutting off the remaining acid production,
compounds this problem, and can actually worsen the animal's ability to
digest food.
 
A better alternative for animals who are being concomitantly treated for
gastric ulcers and Helicobacter would be Carafate, which has no antacid
effect.  Carafate simply patches the ulcers, and prevents pain during
eating.  It is normally given ten minutes prior to a meal.  The fact that
your ferret continues to grind his teeth at meals suggests that the ulcers
are not responding to the current treatment.
 
Another cornerstone of ulcer treatment is the institution of a bland,
highly digestible diet.  Kibble is not appropriate for animals with
gastric ulcers.
 
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM, DACVP
 
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[Posted in FML issue 3349]