From:
Lccmtaylor@aol.com
Date: 2001-11-26 17:29:00 UTC
Subject: help, PLEASE!!!
My 5-6 (?) year old MF rescue has uncontrolled diabetes (fluctuates from
2000+ to negative and everywhere in between - insulin is adjusted per urine
reading morning and night), adrenal, and an as yet unidentified "node" in
stomach. Symptoms are lethargic, depressed, disinterested, drinks
constantly, eats alot, pees with some straining, poops normally and sleeps
the other 23 1/2 hours per day. Insulin has almost no effect on above
symptoms, except for weight gain (after severe weightloss) and slowed down on
drinking although still much more then normal ferret. He has begun to have
periodic episodes of extremely heavy breathing, particullary upon waking, and
then his heart beats so strong and hard that I can literally feel it upon my
arm when I am holding him. He also has these episodes of trembling, which
seems like human Parkinson's disease, where his whole body trembles harder
then the temperature regulating tremor they do when they wake up and are
taken out of their cage. The tremors last for 10-20 minutes, and he seems not
to notice them, but continues to eat, drink and then go back to sleep.
I've discussed Lupron with my vet (surgery isn't an option with his other
health issues) but she wanted to hold off until the sugar settles. It's now
been suggested, by non-vets but ferret-wise experienced owners, that I try
Prednisone to reduce the sugar levels, and maybe bring down swelling in the
brain that may be causing the tremors. Can the prednisone help even out the
sugars? Can it be used with a ferret with Adrenal problems? Any information
or direction would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!
Cay, Princess, P.J. and Sundance