Ferret ECE Disease - contd.
Since the specific cause of ECE is unknown, treatment is directed toward supportive care of the affected ferret, such as keeping it hydrated and nourished. The animal should be given fluids and nutrition. By administering antibiotics, secondary bacterial infections can be prevented. If the ferret's illness is not severe, the doctor may attempt oral rehydration with water or solutions such as Gatorade or Pedialyte. The more severe the disease, though, the more important it is to give fluids subcutaneously or intravenously.
Nutritional support is extremely important in the treatment of this disease. Owners should encourage the animal to eat foods it usually prefers. If the ferret is very ill, the veterinarian will feed it calorie-rich food. Also, the examining veterinarian may prescribe antibiotics to eliminate bacterial infections occurring secondarily to ECE. Sometimes, anti-inflammatory medication is given to ferrets with ECE to decrease the amount of intestinal inflammation associated with this condition. In addition, some veterinarians will administer soothing agents to coat and protect the gastrointestinal tract.
If it is confirmed in the future that ECE is due to a virus, it is most likely that procedures for treating the disease will remain the same. It is unlikely that any medication will treat specifically a virus suspected of causing ECE.
