Treatment of proliferative colitis in ferrets
Krueger, K.L.; Murphy, J.C.; Fox, J.G.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 194(10): 1435-1436
1989
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 2722636 Document Number: 344401
Proliferative colitis associated with intracellular Campylobacter sp was diagnosed in 10 ferrets. The ferrets had a history of diarrhea (often blood-tinged or mucoid), dehydration, and chronic weight loss. Additional clinical signs included rectal prolapse, lethargy, fever, and a palpably thick colon. In 5 ferrets, the diagnosis was confirmed by colonic biopsy, via endoscopy. Supportive treatment in 5 ferrets did not alleviate the clinical signs or the proliferative intestinal disorder. oral chloramphenicol treatment (50 mg/kg of body weight, q 12 h for 10 to 21 days) resulted in marked clinical improvement and eradication of proliferative intestinal lesions in 5 ferrets.