From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2002-08-28 04:18:16 UTC
Subject: Addensonian Crises - Rx?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20020828.011512.3304.9.kazpat1@juno.com>
Some ferrets do better on percoten injections than the florinef,
others do well on florinef. I guess it all depends on the
ferret, and may need to monitor the electolytes every so often
to see how it is doing. With multiple medical problems,
like the cardiomyopathy and insulinoma the medical treatments
get to be tough and even a lot of jugling of meds to get it just right,
some ferrets just are hard to stabilize. It sounds like you did
the best you could and it was a year after surgery, so her crashes
could have been from insulinoma, or addison's all depends on the
results of the electrolytes.
I would keep 0.9% sodium chloride solution (normal saline) for
SQ, percoten and dexamethasone can also be given IM shot,
so if vet is close that can be done to help with the immediate crisis.
Glucose level checked to see if insulinoma is compounding the problem,
and if low, can be given or a little karo syrup on the gums in the
emergency situation until arrive at vet. I have the home glucose monitor
and with some practice it definitely comes in real handy. You are right
nothing by mouth to drink in an unconscious or semiconscious ferret.
Even the most inexperienced owners can get comfortable with and learn
to do SQ and check the sugars with some practice and teaching by their
vet. It is a good idea for people who have multiple ferrets or
sick ones at home to learn this and keep some fluids on hand. Most vets
would teach the owner how to give the SQ and sell them the fluid,
needles and such. Honestly if the ferret is out of it, the giving of the
SQ is very easy, but once circulation has collapsed may not get into
their bodies so readily.
I like a disk that is microwavable and stays nice and warm for about 6
hours,
it is sold in pet catalogues for a warmer for cats/small animals. It is
worthwhile to have, and post op is great to have to keep the ferret warm.
I think some rice in a sock microwaved will also work, or my vet used
some little bags of fluid and microwaved to warm, but these last only
an hour or two, so I like the disk better.
It is a good to share our stories so others can learn what they can
from our experiences and have emergency kits on hand. Keep in
mind that sometimes there is just nothing more we can do for these
guys and when it is their time to leave us, it just is time.
I am very sorry for your loss, but thank you for sharing.
Patty
> We pretty much know what to do for a low blood sugar, but I would
> welcome a quick course on immediate first aid for a crash due to
> Addison's - it takes 30 minutes to get to the vet. My vet said the
> sugar, sodium and body temp plummets (her temp was 92 when we
> arrived at
> the vet's). She recommended a hair dryer set on low, blown
> indirectly
> into towels wrapped around the ferret can help in a pinch, taking
> special care not to overheat or burn the ferret - some blowers can
> get
> really hot quick. But what about the sugar and sodium ? Pedialyte ?
> She
> wasn't awake, able to swallow, so I would be afraid of choking,
> aspiration. Anything injectable, for those of us who are able? I
> doubt I
> could hit a vein (they had to insert an intraosseous cath), but sub
> Q? I
> am keeping a hot water bottle in the emergency kit, for the drive,
> anything else quick and beneficial that can be done? Thanks
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