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Post by Deleted on Oct 6, 2015 22:14:06 GMT -5
metronidazole was prescribed for my ferret whom is believed to have a bacterial infection of the GI. I gave him his dosage and he had a FREAK out. He ran around viciously scratching at his mouth and it was absolutely horrifying. I've read they just hate the taste, but my god. Is there ANYTHING I can do? Keep in mind that he is currently refusing to eat and I'm having to syringe feed him.
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Post by bitbyter on Oct 6, 2015 23:04:33 GMT -5
Yeah, the reaction is pretty insane. Personally I went back to my vet and asked for an alternative.
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Post by Heather on Oct 7, 2015 0:54:02 GMT -5
Metro is one of the better antibiotics for gastric issues but....it tastes so terrible and causes so much distress that my vet (after seeing what happens) has admitted she will never prescribe this for a ferret. I have given this before but to be honest have never found a good "trick". I believe Katt, has some tricks ciao
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Post by fretki on Oct 7, 2015 1:34:26 GMT -5
If you know what kind of infection, there might be alternatives to metro. Usually metro is used, as it covers a lot of different issues. So even if the vet doesn't exactly know what kind of infection, chances are high it gets cleared by metro I use metro with a chaser, first syringe a treat, then the metro. I stopped using the metro syrup version, as it is a lot of liquid depending on the body weight of the ferret, I prefer to crush the pills.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 7, 2015 1:54:43 GMT -5
Metro works like nothing else, especially speedily. However, due to the type of reaction you saw I refuse it if there is ANYTHING else that works. Even if it takes longer. There is no disguising it, and when I have tried they associated the oil, food, soup or whatever with the metro and flatly refused that after. Supposedly you can get transdermal metro. My vet had never heard of it until I mentioned it. But not sure if it is as effective or not.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 7, 2015 8:36:42 GMT -5
Is there anything I can do to at least keep him from hurting himself? He is already showing improvement today, but he scratches at his face so violently...
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Post by Sherry on Oct 7, 2015 10:41:01 GMT -5
Follow it up with a chaser of something is about all.
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Post by Heather on Oct 7, 2015 15:47:20 GMT -5
I burrito wrap and hold closely, while holding their front paws so they cannot scratch the roof of their mouth. It's not entirely effective but it helps ciao
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 10:42:08 GMT -5
Give something before and after with a really strong taste, like a fish oil (but not one you give as a treat). Salmon oil, krill oil, cod liver oil. If you can work two syringes simultaneously, give both together. I get mine mixed for smallest dose possible (girls take 0.1 - 0.15 ml).
Also, don't let go of the hanging scruff until they've swallowed it all - plus you may have to (gently) hold the mouth closed (be very gentle and stop if they begin gagging) to keep the front paws away.
Finally, don't let them down until after doing an extended cuddle session, telling them what a good ferret they are... this will help them kill the bad bugs... how brave they are... how proud you are of them... etc. If you are stressed about it, they will be too.
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Post by Sherry on Oct 22, 2015 10:55:42 GMT -5
I refuse to do a hanging scruff with this stuff as they have almost broken their own backs with a spiral twisting to get away. I also burrito wrap very tightly and don't let go of the head until it is swallowed if I absolutely have to give it.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 12:14:25 GMT -5
Burrito wrapping, administer a syringe of treat, followed by the metro then chased with another treat. Scruffing adds too much stress to an already stressful situation. Keep him burrito'd as long as you feel the restraint isn't causing him more distress and talk soothingly to him. If he is ok being held in your lap you can keep him there for 5 mins or so until he has forgotten about what happened. More treats during this time will probably help. fretki makes a good point that if you can get a bacterial culture done on a faecal sample the bacteria may be able to be identified and a more targeted course of antibiotics can be prescribed. This is a better way to treat all bacterial infections as it improves recovery time and helps prevent antibiotic resistance.
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Post by Deleted on Oct 22, 2015 12:39:48 GMT -5
Apologies!! I typed "hanging" scruff but completely hanging is not what I meant to say - I should have proof-read. I scruff, but the ferret is tucked into my arm crook and I also have my shirt bottom pulled up over the ferret and my arm for the wigglers. Sorry for the confusion and thanks for pointing it out - this is a BNW day
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Post by Deleted on Oct 23, 2015 10:56:13 GMT -5
I used both metro pills and metro injection solution.
When I can choose, I always take solution and give it through scalp vein set under the skin on the back, ferret is licking oil during this and generally no problems at all. Sometimes I have to hold them with one hand if the sqirm a bit, but no biggie.
As for the pills, when I had to give them, few years ago, to 12 ferrets at the same time, I crushed them, mixed them with oil and a bit of honey and water, put it in a syringe, between their molars and down the throat. I usually sit on the floor, holding a ferret so my lap supports the hind legs, left hand gently holding torso and supporting lower jaw with towel, cloth or paper tissue, syringe in right. In this manner they can not do that helicopter move. Immediatelly after I push the medicine down the throat, I close their mouth with towel/cloth/tissue and they swallow although some of them fight a little bit. The taste is really awful.
I haven't used metro tablets for years - every time I pick injection solution. Much easier and it works 100% with a lot of less stress for the ferret.
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Post by lyles on Oct 23, 2015 11:42:59 GMT -5
Grape Seed Extract is a miracle antibiotic. I don't know the mix for regular liquid GSE, but what I did with mine was 2 drops of maximum GSE in a tall glass of water, take a syringe and fill it about 1/3 tablespoons and give that to them twice a day for a week. They go blah blah blah when you give it to them but it works so well I'll never use antibiotics for me or for my fuzzies again.
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Post by Corvidophile on Oct 23, 2015 15:13:12 GMT -5
What about that problem with grapes causing kidney failure in carnivores? I don't know where the problematic compound lies in grapes, the flesh, skin, seeds, or all three.
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