From:
Amy & Dave Seyler
Date: 2002-02-05 07:48:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Bladder stones
Hi Karen --
Several years ago I had a ferret with bladder stones that also were not of
the apparently typical struvite formation. Hers were cystine-based, and she
had four surgeries in her first 3 years to have stones removed.
I worked closely with my vet to have him research his medical directories
and speak with others knowledgeable about bladder stones and we
experimentally tried a medicine combination that worked. The medicines were
Tiopronin and Policitra-K.
Stones are very dangerous if left unchecked, since they can block up the
ferret's whole system or rupture the urinary tract.
We tried the lower-protein diet, with supplemental foods such as cottage
cheese, eggs, etc. to bump up the protein in other ways, but Claudia was
very stubborn and refused to cooperate.
My recommendation would be to discuss with your vet what your options are in
detail. How do they treat these same types of stones in dogs or cats, etc.
Don't give up -- Claudia lived to be almost 8, after we thought we'd have to
have her euthanized before age 2.
Good luck!
Amy
Amy, Dave, Sarah & Paul (and their gaggle of giggling ferrets)
RIP Ian, Elektra, Claudia & Sidney
>Big Fun recently had surgery to remove two calcium oxalate stones
>that were lodged in his urethea. Poor Guy ;-{ ouch!. The stones
>were flushed back up into his bladder and then removed surgicaly.
>The stones were then sent off for pathology and came back as being
>calcium oxalate stones due to low ph / high acid in the urine. The
>vet says this is caused by a high protein diet.
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