From:
whiteweasel@earthlink.net
Date: 2003-04-01 03:39:31 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Bi-Lateral Adrenal
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
CC: TikkiMite@aol.com
Message-ID: <3E88C3A3.6091.A83B01@localhost>
On 31 Mar 2003 at 2:15, TikkiMite@aol.com wrote:
> What signs do I need to watch for to know that I need to get his meds adjusted.
Hi, Terry,
You need to watch for symptoms of surgically induced Addison's
Disease. These would include lethargy and loss of appetite. If it gets
worse Samson won't be able to control his body temperature and he will
shiver uncontrollably. If that happens you need to get him to the vet or
an emergency clinic ASAP, not the next morning. Worst case, if
untreated at that point, is that he could collapse and go limp. That
would mean he'd be in an Addisonian Crisis, which is immediately life
threatening. At that point care is urgent.
I don't mean to scare you. Many ferrets do just fine on the typical
dosages of florinef and prednisone. Your vet will do blood work and
check electrolytes to fine tune the dosage. Even if Addisonian
symptoms start it can usually treated before it becomes serious by
simply adjusting the meds. I gave you worst case, which is really
unlikely, just in case.
My Pertwee did go into a full blown crisis because he simply does not
respond to prednisone at all. He was the first case like that my vet had
ever seen. Dexamethasone was the answer for him, together with timely
vet intervention (in the middle of the night) to stabilize him. Pertwee is
amazingly energetic, playful, and happy today, three years later.
Here's hoping everything goes really well for Samson and you don't see
any of this.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, just a moderately
experienced ferret owner who's been where you are, and both of my
bilaterals had Addisonian symptoms.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine