From:
pjdutche@email.unc.edu
Date: 2002-09-11 21:38:38 UTC
Subject: RE: Pediapred dosage
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5981280.1031780318708.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> What side effects should I watch for?
Others have pointed out that there are generally few side effects, but that a big one at higher doses is ulcers. Others have also explained about the need to know the concentration of the drug to figure out the dose when given in cc's.
Although I think that my experience is not typical, I would also like to say that I have now had two ferrets become diabetic (high blood sugar, the opposite of insulinoma) on pred. Given that I have only had five ferrets on long-term pred to start with, having two of the five go through this has made me possibly paranoid about this probably rare complication. Watch out for lots of drinking, lots of peeing, an acetone (fingernail polish remover) or sweet smell to the breath, stumbling, weakness. There are easy tests to do on blood or urine to check to see if the animal is diabetic.
Again, not typical, but within the realm of possibility, especially when getting into the higher doses as you may be doing. Most ferrets don't suffer many side effects from pred.
Best wishes,
-Pam S.