From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2002-11-26 17:31:08 UTC
Subject: some meds and supplements tips
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com, ferret-list@cunyvm.cuny.edu
Message-Id: <a05200f09ba095dbd3909@[10.0.1.14]>
Here are some little bits of info which may be useful.
If a pill has a dividing line stamped into it then the medication is
evenly distributed. If there is no dividing line it is safer to use
the entire pill when you dissolve, grind, or break it up and then
measure out doses.
There is a list of compounding pharmacists who helps ferrets in
http://www.smartgroups.com/vault/ferrethealth/ReferenceShelf/comp_pharm.html
Some meds need to be protected from water or from saliva. These more
often are coated or in capsules, but when in doubt, check! Some meds
should not be given in water, some should not be given in fats.
Some need to have dietary changes imposed. For example in a recent
study of Cipro at Columbia's Med school teaching hospital it was
found that having dietary calcium present decreased the med in the
body by over 40 percent. That entire class of meds
(fluoroquinolones) binds with a range of minerals (calcium, iron,
magnesium, aluminum, zinc). The calcium and Cipro aspect was the
worst found.
When an animal is under treatment vets need to know what is given in
terms of supplements just as they need to know what meds (of ANY
type) are given and ALL of these things should be cleared with them
BEFOREHAND. For example, there are some breast tumors in humans
which can incorporate Vitamin C into themselves to reduce the
effectiveness of radiation therapy, and for all I know at this time
there may be some other ones or ones in other species which also do
so.
There ARE OTC (over the counter) meds that are safe for humans but
will kill ferrets.