From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2001-12-12 11:43:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] lasix question
On Wed, 12 Dec 2001, Claudia Johnson wrote:
> Her ferret has congestive heart failure and has been placed on lasix
> ( .05 ml 2x/day). SHe was concerned about the loss of electrolytes as
> it is a diuretic. I thought I saw on one of the lists that there was
> something she can give to offset this loss. Any suggestions would be
> greatly appreciated.
Claudia,
If the potassium loss is mild, some people get results from banana baby
food or mushed up bananas or even oral electrolyte solutions like Pedialyte or Infalyte or Ricelyte. If more potassium is needed, a veterinary supplement
called Tumil-K is often used.
HOWEVER, I would get the electrolytes tested before just adding a
supplement, especially Tumil-K. It's hard to get dangerous amounts of
potassium from small amounts of banana or oral solutions, but much easier from a concentrated supplement. Too much potassium can be just as bad as too little. If that dose of lasix is correct, it is *tiny* and I'd really wonder if it's causing enough potassium loss to require supplementation. That's only 0.5 mg twice a day if it's a 10mg/ml concentration.
Anyway, I'm not a vet, but I always prefer to get those electrolytes
tested occasionally when someone is on heart meds to see whether or not
extra potassium is needed. Some of the other common heart meds *increase*
potassium levels, so sometimes a delicate balance is achieved.
Good luck, hope that helps,
-Pam S.