From:
Debbie F
Date: 2001-05-01 14:50:00 UTC
Subject: Epogen
My ferret is sick. His red blood cell count is way down. 6
weeks ago, when the count was at 8%, my vet and I each brought
in a healthy one-year old and he got 2 blood transfusions that
day. Two weeks later his red blood cell count was holding at
13%. My vet thought we could try Epogen. Wylie was put on
.025cc sub-q every other day. I gave him the first shot and
he was extremely nauseated. Two days later, time for another
shot, the nausea had pretty much gone so I gave him the second
dose. Again, extreme nausea. So much that he would groan
through the night. I did not give him any more. Two weeks
after the shots, he pinked up more than he had been. I have
not gotten another blood count but his gums and the roof of
his mouth has gone pale again. The nausea is gone. So has
his appetite. I would like to give it a try again, my vet
says I can. She has not seen any side effects before, but has
only used it on cats. Has any one here used it on ferrets?
Is the nausea a common side effect or could that have been
from something else ( like the beginning of an ulcer). I did
treat it with Carafate. When that did not control the pain, I
tried Zantac. Any other ideas, or do you think I should not
try it again. We are not sure of the cause of the anemia. He
had adrenal surgery one year ago and the right was just
debulked as it was too difficult to take out. Could the
cancer have spread to the bone marrow and slowed the
manufacturing of red blood cells? Any ideas would be
appreciated.
Thank you,
Debbie F.