From:
sukieferret
Date: 2002-03-26 22:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: Help - Poppy has lost use of hind legs
> heart murmur and suspected lymphoma (enlarged lymph nodes on sides > of neck and one in groin and shadows on chest x-ray). She has been on >0.1 ml of Lasix and 0.1 ml of prednisone BID since then. We added 1 > cc of Timmy's Tonic to her regimen in April of 2002.
---
Doesn't Timmy's Tonic have true licorice and ginseng? Both are counter-indicated when heart disease is present.
How much of her weight gain has been from ascites? The enlarged belly from that will interfere with motion and there could be a need for more Lasix if the vet decides that there too much ascites. Luckily, ferrets have no upper limit on the dosage of that as a species. The limit depends on the individual tolerance. BTW, eating does decrease sometimes with Lasix use due to decreased sense of smell from the nasal membranes drying. The way to handle that is to give high cal heated foods, like warmed meat baby foods or warmed a/d. Some need a bit of potassium added, but too much can be dangerous. A gentle approach is banana.
When Meeteetse had lymphoma we finally pegged her dosages of Prednisone (started lower, though) and gave her gradually increasing doseages of an opiate which also helped her. Have you considered pulling a node and having pathology done on it?
Hope something is helpful.