From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-04 13:33:00 UTC
Subject: Re: high urea level
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., alexanderkulla@y... wrote:
> Dear group,
> My ferret recently underwent a complete removal of one kidney due
to
> a combination of adrenal tumor and a malfunction in this kidney
which
> showed in a severely swollen urther. After this surgical
masterpiece,
> the ferret (6 1/2) years old, male) is doing absolutely fine, all
> blood values are normal- except the urea levels, they are 3x higher
> than normal. Does anybody know which diet one could feed. Is it
true
> that a diet low in protein could help? how could I make the ferret
> drink more and would this help? Diet is a problem since the ferret
is
> very spoiled.
>
> alexander.kulla@c...
Dear Alexander -
While a BUN of #x normal is of concern, it would be interesting to
see what the level of creatinine, phosphorus, and what the urine
specific gravity is in this individual as well. I try not to make a
diagnosis of renal failure without having all of these values, as
occasionally, you see cases in which there is a marked elevation in
one but not the others.
If they are all abnormal, then a diagnosis of renal failure is
likely, and a low-protein diet would be indicated. Low-protein diets
are of some benefit in prolonging life in animals with renal failure,
but do not appear to have these benefits in older animals with normal
renal function. If your ferret eats kibble, Totally Ferret makes a
commercially available geriatric ferret kibble that probably is worth
a try.
Increasing water intake is always a good idea in animals with
azotemia - elevated BUN. A little salt on the food, a bit of
linatone twice a day - my ferrets generally head straight for the
water dish after linatone, and most importantly, offering water on a
frequent basis are all acceptable ways to help increase water
intake. However, the body has a pretty good hydrostat, and until his
condition becomes quite severe, he will likely keep himself within
normal hydration levels.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
P.S. - If your email address indicates that you work at the Charite
hospital in Berlin, I had the great pleasure of attending a reception
about three weeks ago in the ruins of the old pathology amphiteatre
there. Truly a humbling experience.