From:
Steve Austin
Date: 2002-07-09 02:45:21 UTC
Subject: Florinef
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20020708.224808.1352.12.kazpat1@juno.com>
This is a good question. Florinef is a potent
mineralcorticoid- a hormone the adrenal gland
normally produces and is responsible for
water balance and electrolyte regulation. If you
don't have enough you retain sodium and lose
potassium, thus throwing off the normal ratio.
You also become dehydrated.
The adrenal gland also makes glucocorticoids,
these are the cortisol ones, normally associated
with the side effects of steroids. they have anti-inflammatory
properties and have the "bad side effects" as well.
But this is mostly in humans, ferrets are usually not
prone to these side effects.
I don't know how much glucocorticoid activity florinef
has, but in the small doses it is given at I think it is
little- therefore not much a chance of any steroid
side effects.
Plus, it normally would be there had the adrenal glands
not been removed, so adding it is just replacing what
has been lost. I see no reason it would cause any
problems with long term use.
The small dose is all that is needed, so even though you
think the 0.1cc change is not a lot, in relation to the
total daily dose it is a decrease of 20%.
I would keep him on the dose he is doing the best
at and leave him on it for life unless the vet says
otherwise based on the blood tests.
If I am wrong I hope someone will jump in here to
set me straight.
Patty
Do I need to get him down to once a day or to every other
> day or can he stay at the .5 bid for his life without any fear of
> side effects from the steroids? > Trish
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