From:
Vicky
Date: 2001-12-31 11:07:00 UTC
Subject: prednisone liquid vs tablet
Hi Friends and Vets,
I am subscribed here and receive the digest, yet
rarely have time to go through and read it.
Please forgive me if my questions have been
covered here lately. I searched the archives,
but did not find the answers to my questions.
Background...
Knucklehead is a 6 yr old MF hob, he'll be 7 in
February (approximately, his old owner couldn't
remember his exact DOB). He was given to me by
his previous owner when she couldn't afford the
surgery to remove a benign epithelioma. He did
very well during that surgery (7/01). He was
diagnosed with insulinoma 9/11/01, with glucose
readings in the mid-30s. He started liquid pred
0.5cc 1x daily. Several weeks later, his glucose
level had risen to mid-60s and his pred was
bumped up to 0.5cc 2x daily. Since that increase
he has been much more energetic and has that
"spark" back in his eye. During the weeks
preceeding his diagnosis, he withered away from 2
lb 12 oz to just 2 lb. Since then, he has
maintaned that weight, but can't seem to gain.
My ferrets eat a mixed diet of high-quality foods
(Mizuri, Totally Ferret, 8-in-1 Ultimate, Path
Valley, TheFerretStore) and as much chicken gravy
as they want (boiled chicken, chicken fat,
chicken broth, ferretone, ferrevite or similar
supliment, and nupro).
Thomas is a 5 yr old MF hob, he'll be 6 in
February (again, approximate, he's from a
shelter). He was diagnosed with insulinoma and
adrenal in 11/27/01 with glucose readings in the
mid-60s. He was put on 0.5cc liquid pred 2x
daily for insulinoma and melatonin for adrenal.
He's not a good surgical candidate, he's too
frail. He eats the same things I mentioned above.
He devours chicken gravy like a little piggie.
Thomas is a long ferret and weighs about 2 lb 7
oz, he's very skinny and boney. The shelter
director said he had surgery a few years back to
remove an intestinal blockage, since then he has
minor nuerological problems... some coordination
problems and hind-end weakness. (He's tested ADV
negative.) He stresses very easily (changes in
environment, if we travel, etc), but does pretty
well with the nutri-drops I suppliment in their
water. He doesn't show signs of stomach problems
or ulcers.
Questions...
I've heard prednisone comes in tablets. I find
that it's very easy to crush melatonin tablets
and mix with chicken gravy for my 3 adrenals, I
think I would prefer tablet form of prednisone as
well.
Is one form (tablet, liquid) of prednisone better
than the other?
Are the tablets cheaper than the liquid? The
liquid is so expensive, it costs me about
$52/month for Knucklehead and Thomas.
What would the tablet dosage be for a ferret that
currently receives 0.5cc liquid 2x daily?
Would I give the tablet form 2x also?
Barb (shelter direcor of Rocky's) and I are
taking my two adrenal fosters to the vet on
Wednesday, so I will pose these questions to him
as well. If anyone has tips, hints, suggestions,
etc from personal or professional experience, I'd
love to hear from you on this.
Thanks,
Vicky Edinger
with... 3 Stooges Murphy, Potter, & Peyton...
Sweet Sables Thomas, Glenda, & Knucklehead...
Forever Fosters Holly & Buddy...
and cat friends Jonah & Pepper
www.geocities.com/ferretmama226
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