From:
snobound@aol.com
Date: 2003-01-10 23:15:27 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Home Glucose test result - 28!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <23219228.1042240527817.JavaMail.root@scandium>
> I'm with MIke and the others: she needs HIGHER PRED DOSES and she needs to be ALSO TREID ON PROGLYCEM.
*** I have taken it upon myself to up her dose from .35ml to .4 (I know not a big jump but I don't know the effects it could have) and I have ordered Proglycem from Walmart $114 for 30ml) The vet called me back and told me she called another drug store and asked them to get "5ml" in, I don't know how long that would last - but it didn't sound like a lot (speaking from someone who will work her hardest to keep this ferret around!)
> Your home machine may test on thw low side as multiple posters have said.
*** I am not going to look at that "darn" thing for a while. She has a great appetite and after she eats looks great. She has tried to get on her hind legs to get out of the cage!!! As long as I see she is doing OK, I'm going to give the medicine a chance to work before I panic over the numbers!
> First, though, you need to get those additional meds: more Pred and Proglycem/Diazoxide. Youmay find that getting the Pred ever 8 hours may work best for her.
***When do I look into pred every 8 hours? before or during the Proglycem?
> In my way of thinking, what you do not need to do is to consider getting a mercy shot for a ferret who still has this much promise of a decent life ahead of her with more meds or with surgery. Give her enough of a chance first, please.
***I misunderstood the other poster and got the "mercy shot" thing rolling since I saw it mentioned. I am not even thinking about that. I only questioned that because I wanted to know if I should get a grip and face that I will be losing her soon, (even though I'll never give the OK to put her to sleep) or, know if there is the possibility that she will come around. Now I know I have some time and some options that have worked for others with glucose this low.
Question - When the glucose is this low - do I give sugar or stay away from it? Some say to give and some say not to. Do I stay away from it once it's under control but use it now to get her sugar up or stay away from it completely? The sugar I am talking about is Karo syrup + water in a syringe. She never really had any sweets in the past - every once in a blue moon she had a couple of "corn pop's" but that's it.
Thanks everyone! Melissa thanks you! PS After every meal I wash her face with a warm, moist, wash cloth and she just eats it up! She loves it! :)