From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-02-21 20:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Dr. WILLIAMS > "steroid-resistant" statement
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., "nlchipman" <nicole@m...> wrote:
> I was reading one of your responses to a previous post, in which
you
> noted that ferrets can be steroid-resistant. Can you elaborate on
> that, briefly. >
> I ask because one of my ferrets, Snoop, is currently on
Dexamethazone
> for hind-end "paralysis". He is not actually paralyzed, as he
still
> has some nerve function in his legs (ie. reflexes when you scratch
> his ear), but has lost the ability to walk. He has been on Dex for
4
> weeks and his condition has not changed - better or worse.
>
> I have not been satisfied yet by a suggested cause, though my vet
> believed it to be a "stroke". Can you tell me if he should be on
> something other than Dex?
Dear Nicole:
The steroid resistance seen in ferret is based largely on their
resistance to common side effects seen in other species with
prolonged cortisone administration - most commonly development of
gastric ulcers (although ferrets will readily develop them in
certain stressful conditions) and atrophy of the adrenal cortex (so-
called idiopathic Cushings). Additionally, the healing of wounds and
incisions does not appear to be as impaired in ferrets on steroids as
it is in other species.
This is not to say that if you give steroids at a high enough level,
or for a long enough time you can't accomplish the above, it just
takes much higher levels than in say, a dog.
Regarding hindlimb paralysis or in this case, weakness, this is a
common problem in ferrets and can arise from a large number of
causes. In fact, spinal cord damage only accounts for a low number
of cases. The fact that there is no response after 4 weeks strongly
suggests that another cause probably should be looked for at this
time. Plus, if he has not been walking for 4 weeks, there is likely
significnat muscle loss in his legs to make matters worse.
Dexamethasone is a good steroid for acute neural damage, as it
stabilizes membranes, and decreases acute inflammation. However, it
is not as good as prednisone for long term maintenance.
Regarding the theory of stroke - this is really not a problem in
ferrets - stroke is most often seen in species with chronic
cardiovascular disease such as atherosclerosis, such as humans and
certain inbred species of animals, but not ferrets.
With kindest regards,
Bruce williams, DVM