Message Number: YG5582 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-07-16 22:45:00 UTC
Subject: Re: arthritis treatments?

--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., CandiceBush@a... wrote:
>
>
> Overall, I would say the most common pathologies follow those for
the
>
> thoracic skeleton, and are (in order) healed fractures, arthritis,
>
> reactive bone, bone masses.
>
>
> Bob C
>
> In view of the high incidence of arthritic changes Bob attests to,
I wonder
> if we shouldn't be considering some sort of anti-inflammatory drug
for older
> ferrets who appear to be having a hard time getting around. I know
both my 6
> year olds have greatly decreased their climbing this year. Vet
comments?


My general inclination is that while these may be the most common
pathology of the skeleton, it may not be extreemly common overall.
The use of anti-inflammatory drugs in ferrets is not without side
effects, and many of these may be toxic in even moderate amounts. I
am hesitant to prescribe these durgs ina prophylactic fashion without
a definite indication for their use - either radiographic or
clinical.

With kindest regards,

Bruce Williams, DVM