Message Number: SG6708 | New FHL Archives Search
From: "Saskia Visser"
Date: 2003-11-21 12:52:55 UTC
Subject: Adrenal surgery in the UK
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7756310.1069434410880.JavaMail.nobody@chromium.smartgroups.com>

I did try to post this message before but something went wrong. Percorten
(desoxycorticosterone pivalate) is not available in europe last time I
checked, it is made by Merial and perhaps with some hasseling of the UK reps
it may finally get sold in europe. It is marketed for dogs in the US and it
is supposed to be given IM according to the insert. My vet and I have beeen
giving it subcutaneously. Generally the injection is given every 3 or 4
weeks (depends on the ferret, watch for lethargy, etc.) This drug is
generally only necessary if both adrenal glands are removed. The same goes
for Florinef (fludrocortison). Florinef is availbale in Europe in 1mg
tablets. Some vets give one tablet once a day, others cut it into smaller
pieces and give it once a day. I am a believer in the less meds the better.
You can crush the tablet or pieces with a mortar and pestle and mix it in
their soup. Both these meds are usually given with pred.
If both adrenals need to be removed make sure your vet is comfortable
removing the right adrenal as it can invade the vena cava making it more
tricky to remove (some vets just debulk the tumor) The left adrenal is
easier to remove. If your vet is not comfortable then you may want to
condider Lupron shots or even things like Melatonin if the right adrenal
cannot be removed.
Hope this helps. Good luck