From:
<caitlyn@mizuhoradio.com>
Date: 2003-10-16 15:50:27 UTC
Subject: Kodo update & next steps? (9yo w/insulinoma and enlarged spleen)
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Cc: <cindy.a.barnes@gsk.com>
Message-ID: <7866553.1066321406221.JavaMail.nobody@magnesium.smartgroups.com>
Hi, everyone,
Here is a quick summary for those who don't remember or haven't followed
Kodo's case. Kodo is a large (approx. 4 lbs.) male neutered ferret
approximately nine years old. He has insulinoma and had surgery for it in
August, 2002. He needed pred again after four months. His blood glucose is
being maintained at normal or near normal levels successfully so far. He
also had a hugely enlarged spleen, to the point that you could see it as a
huge blue mass under his skin and his abdomen looked extended/distorted.
Kodo had major mobility problems and hind end weakness, to the point of
having trouble getting into a litter pan or holding up his own weight when
using the pan. His activity level was very low.
A few weeks back I asked about treatment options. Our vet would, ideally,
have liked to do a second insulinoma surgery and also remove the spleen.
However, because of Kodo's age and deteriorating physical condition our vet
felt he could not survive surgery. Sukie suggested that treatment with
antibiotics had temporarily reduced the size of the spleen in one of her
ferrets years ago. Since we believed his spleen was part of the cause of
his mobility problems I passed this on to our vet.
Our vet had never heard of using antibiotics for treating an enlarged spleen
and neither did three other vets he consulted with. I asked for opinions
about the use of antibiotics here on the list. Three other ferret owners
reported good success using amoxicillin or baytrill. Others warned of the
dangers of extended antibiotic use and Dr. Williams posted that he does not
recommend this sort of treatment.
I discussed it with our vet at Kodo's last visit a week ago. He felt long
term consequences of antibiotics don't matter because Kodo doesn't have a
long term. He felt it was worth a try at this point. We started Kodo on
.3ml of Clavamox twice a day.
The results so far: The spleen has greatly reduced in size and can no
longer be seen through his skin. The shape of his abdomen has returned to
normal. Kodo has completely regained the use of his rear legs for the first
time in nearly 18 months. He is running, playing, wrestling, and generally
very active. He started climbing things for the first time in 18 months
last night. Kodo shows no signs of weakness or mobility issues at all.
For the moment at least the results are better than anything I could have
imagined or hoped for. It's like the clock has been turned back for Kodo.
That, of course, raises a whole new set of questions :)
How long can we continue the Clavamox? Is it a good idea to continue the
treatment indefinitely or else to take him off it and give it again if and
when the spleen enlarges again? How quickly will the spleen start enlarging
if we discontinue the Clavamox? The improvement is so drastic that I am
thinking in longer terms for Kodo again. How long before he builds up a
resistance to Clavamox? If that happens, what else could we use? Should we
really look at getting him strong enough for surgery again or is that still
unlikely to be a good option?
I'd particularly like opinions from vets as well as ferret owners who've had
similar situations. I've never had very old ferrets before and our vet has never
treated a ferret this way, so I feel like we are really in uncharted waters.
Thanks,
Caity and the non-stop nine