From:
Steve1
Date: 2001-07-12 10:24:00 UTC
Subject: [Ferret-Health-list] Re: prescription drugs
Hi Kathrine,
Please don't stop giving advice on drug dosages or anything
else as you may have saved a ferret from an incorrect dose and
possibly a harmful reaction. I have read your posts and must
congradulate you on your helpfulness and acuracy. Keep up the
good work.
Steve
----- Original Message -----
From: shurcool@infi.net
To: Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, July 12, 2001 8:49 AM
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., ferretsonly@h... wrote:
> Aren't Biaxin & Amoxicillin both prescription drugs that
supposed
to
> be dispensed by a licensed veterinarian after they examine
an
animal?
> Shouldn't laypeople refrain from giving advice about drug
dosages
to
> avoid practicing veterinary medicine without a license?
Well, since I think I'm the only non-veterinarian who
addressed the
drug dosages directly, I would suspect this is directed to
me. Debi
had already figured the drug dosages and decided what drugs
she was
using. That is her responsibility. She was just asking for
confirmation, absolutely the right thing to do (especially
in this
case since she confused the conversion of lbs. to kg). I
would
suspect that most shelter operators don't have the luxury of
taking
every ferret to the vet (I believe Debi is a shelter
operator??).
Many decisions must be made at the shelter. Her first
response was
from Dr. Williams, a veterinarian. I piped in and said that
I liked
to practice doing the calculations and my dosages agreed
with Dr.
Williams. At no time did I recommend what drugs to use (I
wouldn't
have a clue). I only concurred with what dosages were
recommended by
a veterinarian.
You would be astounded at how much of this goes on on the
wildlife
rehab lists. Making assessments, determining what drugs to
use,
calculating dosages, and adminstering the drugs is a way of
life. If
you were to ever get into wildlife rehab, you would be doing
this all
of the time. Few vets have the time to see every animal who
comes in
to us, and they come to us because they are ill, injured, or
orphaned, not because they're good and healthy. They all
have
problems of some sort, some much worse than others. There
is
veterinary oversight but very little hands/eye on unless the
animal
is in dire straits. For instance, I administer antiobiotics
(Amoxi)
to all incoming opossum babies as a preventive measure (try
calculating the dosage for a 15-20g baby!!). This is on the
recommendation of a veterinarian who has studied the opossum
for over
20 years. She's clear across the country from me but I have
chosen
to follow her protocols for opossum care. No veterinarian
examines
each of these babies. Many rehabbers (with a lot more
experience
than I) make decisions, calculate dosages, and administer
much
stronger drugs for things such as head injuries. And, just
so
there's no confusion here...I consider these wild animals to
be no
less important or worthy than my personal "pets".
I'm glad you posted, though. I forgot to remind Debi (and
everyone
else) that many antibiotics, such as Amoxicillin, are only
good for
14 days after they are mixed. That's why I keep the
powder(provided
by a veterinarian)and just mix what I need.
BTW, my vets occasionally give me advice/drug
recommendations over
the phone for my personal ferrets. They know that I can
accurately
describe symptoms and usually know what the problem is. I
will then
tell them what drugs I have available (usually leftover from
a
previous illness). They do this to save me money (and
because
they're so nice )and don't require that I bring the ferret
in
every single time. This, of course, is only for the "little
guns"
such as Amoxi. They wouldn't do it for the "big gun" drugs
or
illnesses. They know I have enough sense to know when a
physical
examination is needed. I've even had the after-hours
emergency vets
help me in this way (over the phone) so that I don't incur a
huge
emergency room bill. They will help me get the ferret
through the
night until I can go to my regular vet in the morning, a
wonderful
service, in my opinion. Please keep in mind that this is
just for
"little" stuff, not major illnesses or emergencies.
Don't assume that all of the drugs prescribed by your vet
are, in
fact, prescription. Many can be ordered through places like
Jeffers
as "over the counter".
But, your point is well taken. I will try to refrain from
getting
into drug dosages on the list in the future.
Katharine
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