From:
Mary Alvarez-Cabreras
Date: 2002-01-15 15:25:25 UTC
Subject: Veterinary Update on Chewy Fwd: ERRATIC BREATHING
PROBLEMS
Being that Chewy is no longer on the Pediapred, his Vet recommended
Brewers Yeast in his diet but I recall seeing a warning in the
Miamieferret website stating that Chromium lowers Blood Glucose
levels. See caution here:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/elixer.htm
Is this is true? I did a search on the health-list archives but
nothing came up. I don't want to risk it. If it is true, is there
anything else that should be used instead?
Thanks,
Mary
To: Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com
From: Mary Alvarez-Cabrera
PROBLEMS
Greetings All:
Our trip to the Vet this Saturday past found that Chewy's in
pretty bad shape. He has Cardiomyopathy which was causing fluid
to build up in his lungs, as was suggested by Dr. Williams and
others on the list. The X-Ray of his chest showed that his heart
is enlarged and he only has one clear lung, the other was filled
with fluid. He was given an injection of Lasix and is getting it
orally three times a day (along with Amoxcil). His Vet offered to
admit him for two days but unfortunately I live in another state
and returning to pick him up would have been impossible until the
end of the week and that was not going to happen, not to mention
the cost, and especially because I couldn't imagine him being
alone with strangers. Thank God, he did pass the 48 Hour Danger
Zone and he's doing better.
He needs a sonogram done on his heart so there'll be a clearer
understanding of which medications will work better for him. I'm
paying close attention to his breathing, at the moment his breaths
are short and quick but as he improves the Vet stated they should
become deeper and longer. The Lupron that he was on was stopped
because it wasn't working for him at all. I myself stopped giving
him Pediapred about two weeks ago because I felt as though it was
affecting his stomach, and the Vet agreed with my decision because
it actually raises the blood pressure (and he doesn't need that
right now!).
Chewy is eating very well as always, he actually gained weight
since last month, which isn't necessarily a good thing but my boy
LOVES food and I'm thankful that he can still enjoy it. He's
still walks around alittle bit even though he stumbles and has
trouble with his hind legs every now and again. His energy is
very low, as his Blood Glucose has been in the 40's (even with the
Pediapred) for a few months now but he's learned to cope with it.
My poor little guy is going through alot (Adrenal Disease,
Insulinoma, and now Cardiomyopathy) but you would never really
know it, he's always so quiet and has nothing but kisses to offer.
He's really tough and I'm learning alot from him. For now, I
guess we all have to remember that Life is precious and we'll all
go through hard times in our old age (except we won't look as
cute!).
PS: Please know that all the sick little fuzzies you guys have
out there are in my prayers!
Take care,
Mary & Chewy