From:
williamsb@comcast.net
Date: 2002-07-05 01:43:13 UTC
Subject: RE: bilateral adrenal questions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <16318774.1025833393780.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> My questions are:
> 1. Does the Florinef give false electrolyte readings? In other words....
No, the readings are true. Florinef is an analogue of the compound that the adrenal cortex normally secretes to maintain proper levels of electrolyes.
> 2. If some adrenal tissue remains, how will I know, considering the
> Florinef keeps them healthy?
You may never know, unless you go off the Florinef, and either the animal shows marked lethargy, or you test and find that the electrolye levels go way down.
> 3. I'd like to wean them from the Florinef, if enough adrenal tissue
> remains, but obviously don't want them to crash... is there a way to do this
> w/out endangering their health?
You really can't tell what will happen. Some animals will simply slow down as the sodium levels decrease, some may crash. If your vet is confident that the right adrenalectomy was complete, I don't recommend trying to wean off Florinef. Its a treatment for life.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM