From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-02-06 17:08:58 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Addisons Disease
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: grferrets@yahoo.com
Message-Id: <20030206120858.20a4aca8.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi, Kim,
>
> Just an update - My ferret is currently on injectible
> pred once a day and 1/4 tab Florinef once per day. So
> far, she's doing very well. We'll be monitoring
> closely for awhile to make sure we get the dosages
> just right, but for now - she's back to eating on her
> own and I no longer have to give her fluids every day!
Excellent! That means the dosage is either correct for her or very
close. Electrolytes don't have to be off by very much for Addisonian
symptoms to occur. I agree with your vet that checking electrolytes to
fine tune is a good idea. If she lost a significant amount of
weight your vet may find that he/she has to increase the dosages when
your ferret gains back what she lost. We had to do this for Pertwee
when he went from oh-so-skinny to a healthy, normal body weight. My vet
double checks periodically.
Just as regular blood work is a good idea for geriatric ferrets to catch
problems early, it is also a very good idea.
One other thing: if you are having problems getting her to take
florinef in pill form it is possible to have it compounded into a liquid
suspension and flavored. We do this for Pertwee and did for Ryo-Ohki as
well and it does make giving him meds easier.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, just a ferret owner with
some experience.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine