From:
Ella R
Date: 2009-08-14 22:44:06 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Metronidazole for Giardia and IBD
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi,
I have 5 fuzzies who've been going through treatments off and on for giardia
for a couple of months now. I know it's hard to get rid of in multiple
animal households, and we have no earthly idea how they got it, but I guess
we'll get to the bottom of that at some point. Right now my question is
about one of my 5 kids and reoccurring diarrhea he gets following
treatments.
Tocho seems to be the only one of the five that consistently seems to have
reoccurring diarrhea, even when the others do not. He seems to respond well
to treatment, then shortly after it's stopped... even on the second round 3
weeks after the first, it comes right back, and it's really bad.
The first couple of times everyone was treated for giardia they got only
panicure (sp?). This last time when Tocho was still having terrible
diarrhea the vet gave him panicure and metronidazole. I wasn't familiar
with metronidazole and was told it was 'for his stomach.' I assumed that
they meant to help any nausea he may have been having due to the giardia.
On the 3rd day of treatment, I stopped giving the metronidazole because I
was noticing that Tocho was having TERRIBLE reactions to it... meaning, he
would gag, fight like crazy, foam at the mouth, and on day four he peed all
over himself while I was giving it to him. At first simply thought it
tasted horrible to him, because he would 'bottle brush' and run around
wiping his chin on the rug like all he wanted was to get the stuff out of
his mouth. He also pawed at his mouth after the dosage, but he does not do
this when he eats or gets a treat, etc. Just with the metronidazole.
I also noticed that right after the metronidazole was stopped, it wasn't but
a day to a day and a half that the diarrhea began again, and badly. At this
point I thought he may be dealing with IBD issues on top of giardia issues.
Today, after he had diarrhea again, I looked up metronidazole to see what it
was and what it was for, because I thought it an odd coincidence that he
seemed to have normal poops while on it. That's when I discovered that it's
Flagyl and given for treatment for both IBD and giardiasis. I felt utterly
stupid. But I was also going by what the woman on the phone from the vet's
office told me, and the drug bottle only says give once every 24 hrs.
I also did not know until just now that it is supposed to be given WITH or
AFTER food! The bottle doesn't say this, and I'm wondering if that's why he
reacts as he does when I give it to him.
So basically....
Panicure given for 5 days, and then ferret was bathed.
Flagyl/metronidazole given for 3 days.
Poop normal on the flagyl, diarrhea when off.
Have had the flagyl for a week, but started it again today in hopes of
getting his poo normalized, etc. I have to call vet's office on monday
because they're closed now.
Is the medication still good?
Was it supposed to be refrigerated?
IF he has an actual IBD issue with the giardia issue, will he need the
flagyl on a regular basis, or what should happen next?
The web site about the medication said if you don't eat before or while
taking the drug, to drink milk or eat a milky food. So I gave Tocho a
little yogurt today after I get him the meds. Stupid me, I should have
given it BEFORE.
Also, is there an alternative to flagyl since he seems to be SO stressed out
when I give it to him? OR is his reaction because the medication is
instantly hurting his tummy or something? Nothing at all seems to hide the
flavor, and he takes the panicure like a pro and doesn't stress or fight or
gag or foam at the mouth.
Last but not least, is it doing more harm than good to give him the flagyl
again without having a full 5 days dosage left in the bottle?
Thanks, and so sorry for the rambling confusion in this email.
Ella
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