IBS

[hollie]

Hey all! So I have a question about IBS/IBD. I have a ferret that is displaying symptoms and my vet thinks it’s possible he has it. He is you - 1 year and 4 months. She has suggested an endoscopy. However, I’d like to try and stay away from invasive procedures and try to treat symptoms as if it were IBS. He is being treating currently with Metro for mucousy diarrhea (that has had very minimal blood tint mixed in a couple poops. New blood. Not dark and tarry) that have turned into much better poops with occasionally mucous mixed in, since being on Metro. This is probably his 3rd time going through this. One time it was ulcers and he had the “triple threat” treatment. Does anyone have experience with IBS? What has helped? Treatment? Is Metro enough? He is kibble fed - Instinct Ultimate Protein Chicken. I tried switching to FDR and struggled for months!! Sigh. Thanks in advance! <3

[Corvidophile]

IBS/IBD can also be a food allergy in disguise, have you tried switching proteins? If I remember right Instinct also makes duck and rabbit formula kibbles. Aside from that, it’s important to replenish the good gut bacteria killed off by antibiotics. Buy powder capsules of probiotics meant for people at the drugstore, twist them open, and give half a capsule’s worth of powder twice a day, at least an hour after the Metro. You can mix the powder into wetted kibble mush, salmon oil, tuna juice from a can, meat baby food, or a similar wet treat.

[hollie]

Thank you for your reply! Yes, Instinct also has duck. No rabbit. Should I buy a small bag of duck and try to add a few kibbles mixed in? It was like pulling teeth to get my 3 to even get near FDR. I tried for 3 months! I’m thinking that Instinct Duck might be easier, since it’s basically the same ingredients other than the duck protein. I have a cat probiotic. I can add that to his soupy he loves. It’s just I fed up wet kibble with a drop of salmon oil. He hates the metro. But, it get down him. I do feel like he may have IBS or a sensitivity. He gets these bouts every few months. And he’s had X-rays and bloodwork…it has been a while for bloodwork though. All fine. I’m not wanting to do the endoscopy personally. Seems a bit much for a young guy with no other issues.

[unclejoe]

I don't to make anyone sound ignorant, but I was, so, do you re-hydrate the fdr before serving? Back in the day, I couldn't get any ferts to even try it as a treat, until I soaked it in water for 5 minutes. When I crushed it and sprinkled it in with kibble they took it, but not on its own.
IBD could be allergy diagnosed as IBD. It's not uncommon for ferrets to have allergy to chicken. I would try a chicken free diet for at least a week to see if he improves.

[hollie]

Yes, FDR is rehydrated with water. Made into a soupy like consistency, depending on what what they prefer. I tried for months and they weren't having it.
As for the IBD…I don’t have a problem buying a small bag of the duck and trying that. But, my fear is that with my boy already having tummy issues at the moment, that it will exacerbate it. Perhaps I should wait and see if he gets a little better? Then try to add the duck slowly. To transition. I appreciate your insight and help! I like getting all the knowledge I can to advocate and help my babies. Sometimes o few vets push procedures when not needed. He’s so young and been through a lot in his life. I believe we spoke about his distemper reaction that nearly took his life, and he fought for 2-3 weeks. He’s my trooper

[hollie]

Also, are the symptoms for an allergy similar to IBD? The mucousy poop? Occasionally diarrhea? The only thing that get me is that he is ok for a period of time and then it happens again. His siblings are fine, and he’s had countless decals and a ferret diarrhea PCR test. Thank

[eclipso]

I found this good article that can help. It's for cats, but it applies to ferrets too. It has a lot of good info. I don't know that much about IBD, but if you could tell me the age of your ferrets and how the poops are it could help. I'd suggest something to soothe ulcers and probiotics.

www.rawfeedingforibdcats.org/probiotics-for-cats---why-and-which-ones.html

[hollie]

Hey there, thanks. I have 3 ferrets. But, only one having tummy issues. He is currently on Metro, and I give him Sulcrafate an hour before hand. I have Fortiflora probiotic that I started putting in his soupies twice a day. Which is after his Metro. His poops are getting better. But, when he has these bouts of upset they range from diarrhea to mucousy, sometimes seedy with a tint of blood (blood is not often). He is on Instinct Ultimate Protein Chicken. I think I might try duck once his meds are done and he’s had some time to recover. This is the 4th time in his year and 4 months of life dealing with this. My vet suggested an endoscopy. But, I’d rather not go that invasive and treat symptoms. If he were to get better and stay well then we know. I’ve read and spoke to one other ferrant that prednisolone can help IBS.

[msav]

you could also try some pancreatic enzymes. I used to give that to my ferrets before I found that they had an allergy to turkey.

you may want to try an elimination diet to make sure there is no allergies involved. It is tough with 3 ferrets and will mot probably have to either eliminate for all 3 or separate him from the others.

[hollie]

Thanks for your help. What are pancreatic enzymes?
I’m going to buy the duck version of instinct once his belly is better from this bout. Hoping that since it is a similar ingredient list, other than the duck, and a bit of the order in ingredients….that he (or they) will take to it easily. I tried FDR for 4 months, and not one of them gived even a little! I’ll still do a slow transition as to not upset his belly. Esp since that is my main goal. I want to get a plan and really get to the bottom of this. When he doesn’t have a bout of tummy issues, he is his crazy spazzy self. He’s never had a fever or any other symptoms…just the poops ever few months it seems. He is my youngest and the other 2 are fine. So that is why my vet and I are leaning towards IBS and/or allergy. It would be awesome if it were just the chicken. I’ve heard IBS can be the “cover up” for allergens. Thank you all for all your help!! I’ll take all I can get 😊❤️

[msav]

We have used both of these.

www.amazon.com/CK-Formulations-Pancretase-Pancreatin-Pancreatic/dp/B08SQH92Z5/ref=sr_1_8?keywords=pancreatic+enzymes+for+dogs&qid=1651267304&sr=8-8

www.amazon.com/Dr-Mercola-Digestive-Enzymes-Pets/dp/B005MFL4OE


you use very little of it so that contain last a long time. something like a 16th of a teaspoon per ferret

[hollie]

Thank you so much! I will look into this. I plan on buying the duck instinct in the next week or 2. To give his tummy a good chance to recover and then try transitioning and see how Duck suites him. Is this something that’s used in a daily? Or on flair ups?

[msav]

we gave them as needed it is easier to give them with soup as they are a powder. there were times that we gave them to him for weeks before taking a break with them.

[hollie]

Thank you again! I’m trying to get to the bottom of this and get him feeling right more often than not. I’ve read good things about duck protein. So here’s hoping 🤞🏼 The Metro is finished - last day was Sunday. So probably buy the duck instinct this weekend. Should I continue Probiotics? I’m going to get some of the powder you recommended for flair ups. Any other recommendations or insight on IBS please don’t hesitate.

[hollie]

Hey everyone! So heat finished his Metro Sunday. His poops had been getting better. He just had a little bit of diarrhea…not water, but not solid. When do you think I should start trying duck? Even with his tummy not 100%. Or calling my vet back? Next steps? Maybe blood work? I’ve heard some farrents use prednisolone to help control it. Any thoughts on that? TIA! Just trying to be proactive and help my little guy