From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-05-19 20:50:24 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Complicated Post Op Question
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: Quarrius@aol.com
Message-Id: <20030519165024.4cc7b3a2.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi,
Late response, but hopefully still useful...
>
> After narrowing things down and looking at the symptoms--she seems to
> be showing symptoms of Addisons'.
This is really common after a second or bilateral adrenal surgery. Your
vet started with standard or average doses for the meds to replace the
hormones normally produced by the adrenal glands which regulate her
electrolytes. Obviously, not every ferret is standard. Has your vet
done subsequent bloodwork to measure electrolyte levels? Those
measurements seem to be important to our vet when deciding how much to
increase or reduce to given meds.
> She got a percorten shot after surgery, but I
> dont think it worked. Or she used it up (if that is possible).
Our vet uses fludrocortisone (florinef) rather than percoten, so I
cannot answer about the shot. However, an insufficient dosage would
have the effect you saw.
>
> On a whim and in a panic, I gave her a 1/2 tab of florinef. She perked
> up and withn 90 min. she ate a bunch of chicken gravy and drank on her
> own. A HUGE difference from the near comatose baby I had earlier in
> the AM!
It really does sound like her meds needed to be increased. My only
concern is that you don't know for sure if she is getting the right
amount unless bloodwork is done.
>
> i know they can have loose stools--but since surgery, her stools have
> been small.
She has probably been relatively inactive. Also, IME, ferrets with
Addison's symptoms lose their appetite. Less food in, less poop out.
>
> They are a bit more mucous and watery the past 24 hours and I am
> hoping that was due to the addison's (if that is what is wrong with
> her)
IME Addsion's does not cause loose poops. Anyway, neither Pertwee nor
Ryo-Ohki showed that symptom. Both the loose stools and the whimpering
may be a sign of something else. I would really get her back to her
regular vet as soon as possible. Hopefully you've done this and things
are better now.
It took *time* to get both Pertwee's and Ryo-Ohki's electrolytes in
balance. While they were off the ferts were just miserable.
Unfortunately, the only method of finding the right dosage seems to be
educated guesswork based on electrolyte levels.
Hang in there, and keep working closely with your vet.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine