Simply stated IBD is an inflammation of the GI tract. Often this disease goes unrecognized until signs and symptoms appear which is often at an advanced stage. The signs and symptoms demonstrated could represent a host of illnesses, which makes diagnosis much more difficult. The most common signs are bird-seed like poops, diarrhea, soft poops, and a change in appetite. There is only one way to diagnosis this disease and that is by a biopsy which includes the mesenteric lymph nodes. Often treatment is begun without a biopsy, on symptoms alone to see if a response is obtained from the treatment drugs. Care should be given to this however, as the drugs to treat IBD could worsen other illness like Proliferative Colitis, Heliocobactor or Coccidiosis, which generally present the same. It is also very common for the ferret to have ulcers at the same time.
IBD is a result of the body fighting a foreign substance in the GI tract. The fight causes damage to the intestinal lining and the villi. The damage reduces the absorptive power of the intestine, resulting in the nutrients that would otherwise be absorbed by the body to pass undigested and unabsorbed. There is no cure for IBD, as the body continues to fight, but it can be put into remission with drug interaction, most notably Prednisone, which suppresses the inflammatory response. Care should be given when using Prednisone as it not only suppress the intestinal inflammation, but also the entire body, weakening their immune response to fight of diseases.
A diet change is most likely in order, especially at times of flair ups. It is believed that a chicken allergy is the cause for a large number of cases. You can try switching to a turkey based food or Prescription Diet ZD (while it is chicken flavor, it is hydrolyzed differently so their body doesn't recognize it as chicken). During flair ups a bland diet is necessary which can be Duck Soup, Gerber's chicken stage 2 baby food or Prescription Diet AD.
The treatment protocol for IBD, is Amoxy, Flagyl and Prednisone. Other options for Flagyl can be Biaxin, Pepto-Bismol, Tagament, Pepcid or Carafate. The Flagyl does the job 95% of the time.
IBD can be a debilitating disease for the ferret. Special attention needs to be given to food and water intake, as well as any signs of wasting. If your ferret becomes dehydrated, they will most likely need sub-q fluids administered.
It is important for you to stay in close contact with your veterinarian if your ferret is not responding to the treatment and does not appear to be getting any better. As mentioned previously, the signs of IBD cover a host of other illnesses, and is an end result. The underlying cause needs to be researched and diagnosed, this is a debilitating illness for the ferret. Careful monitoring and attention is extremely important.