From:
kath0524
Date: 2002-04-04 09:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: renal failure
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Theresa Diduck <tdiduck@y...> wrote:
> My ferret is in severe renal failure and I was
> wondering if anyone had any ideas on how to keep him
> comfortable. His eating has been off for weeks now
> (only hand fed and even that is getting grim) and I
> have noticed he is grinding his teeth alot.
I would assume the renal failure is chronic (no cure) as opposed to
acute (caused by some event) and possibly fixable.
Search the archives under Champ or Kidney Failure or Renal Failure.
You will find his whole protocol, beginning about February 2001 and
ending July 2001. I believe I talked about each step of the process,
the drugs he was given, and the dosages. A Vitamin B-12 injection
perked his appetite on two occasions when he refused to eat. For the
months he lived, he only ate if I fed him in my lap. He lived on
soup. I fed him 3 times a day (I work so that was the best I could
do). His weight remained steady so he was getting enough to eat.
>Sulcrafate is not an option due to the aluminum content and his
>kidney failure and I had him on omeprazole (losec)
>however, this doesn't seem to be doing him any good.
Champ was taking the veterinary equivalent of Tagamet. I can't
remember the name at the moment but it's in the archives. He never
seemed to show signs of ulcers or stomach distress. He just wasn't
interested in eating.
> Any suggestions for the renal failure ( I do not think
> sub -q fluids is an option for him)?
Why? I learned to give sub-q fluids with Champ and he got 40ml of
Lactated Ringers twice a day (this was the maximum, we started at a
much lower amount). I would get him started on his soup and he
wouldn't even realize he was stuck. It's really not hard to do.
Your vet can teach you in just a few minutes. If I'm not mistaken,
fluids are absolutely necessary with kidney failure. The fluids help
the kidneys to operate properly (or somewhat, anyway). When Champ
was first diagnosed, he spent 3 days/nights at the vet getting IV
fluids.
You may want to talk to your vet about whether you have tried all
medical options. Definitely fluids are needed. Do you have his
blood counts checked frequently? I think we were running bloodwork
on Champ about once a month, or even possibly more frequently. Champ
became anemic (part of the progression of the disease) and was given
Lixotinic and I gave him Epogen injections. Their potassium levels
also can get out of whack. He was getting medications for that
also. Again, check the archives for the exact medication.
He later developed congestive heart failure and we couldn't treat the
fluid build-up. The drugs for this cause kidney damage. He had very
little kidneys left to damage. After about 10 days, he swelled up
like a balloon from the heart problems and I had him euthanized.
There was nothing more to be done.
Good luck. It's a grueling disease to go through with them. But, I
don't regret one minute of it. You have to accept that your life
will revolve around them during the course of treatment, especially
if you have to hand-feed.
Katharine