From:
genglo@spamcop.net
Date: 2003-04-30 11:06:57 UTC
Subject: suggestions for ferret with elevated creatinine and low blood glucose
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7762850.1051700817584.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Hello. I have a 9 year old ferret, who is active and looks terrific. We recently brought her home from the shelter where she has lived for the past 8 years. She was in great shape, other than hind leg weakness. We took her in for a complete checkup with blood tests and she had a blood glucose of 60 and her creatinine was 1.2. All other tests came up normal. The vet put her on a low dose of prednisone and she has been more active with more strength in her back legs. After several weeks on the prednisone, we just took her in for another check and her blood glucuse is still around 62 and her creatinine is up to 1.5. The vet explained that this is a difficult situation, since the prednisone can make the kidneys worse, but without the prednisone we have to worry about her blood glucose. Due to her age, I don't want to do anything invasive, but I would appreciate suggestions.
Our vet mentioned a low protien diet. Is this commonly done with ferrets and what would you suggest? Also, our vet wants us to increase the prednisone due to the blood glucose still being a little low, but I'm worried about her kidneys. Is there another answer?
Thanks in advance for your time
Julianne Gentile