From:
williamsdvm@comcast.net
Date: 2003-02-04 02:40:42 UTC
Subject: RE: Leo needs help growing fur
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <11802050.1044326442116.JavaMail.root@scandium>
Author wrote:
> Our little Leo (whom I have written about before) has an auto-immune disease and is on a pretty heavy dose of Prednisolone (.35ml twice a day, 5mg/ml strength) to keep it in check. We are slowly working to reduce that down to the minimum effective dose he needs. The problem is that he has been getting thin fur over his shoulders and on his tail and losing fur on his toes, back feet, nose and a couple spots on his tummy. > The vet thinks it could be a side effect of the high Pred dose. Leo has been checked for adrenal and the doctor doesn't think that is what is going on.
Dear Tanya:
A high pred dose can cause thinning hair all over - but it is still somewhat subtle, while what you are describing seems like more than that. I think that you should take another good look at the adrenal possibility - perhaps even the TN test.
It looks as if you are doing the right thing with the pred dose, and don't think that it precludes surgery - it just makes it a bit trickier.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM