From:
<caitlyn@mizuhoradio.com>
Date: 2003-12-02 21:49:07 UTC
Subject: Kodo update (enlarged spleen, insulinoma, and now cataracts)
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <47852.155.226.255.42.1070401747.squirrel@www.mizuhoradio.com>
Hi, everyone,
One paragraph summary of previous posts: Kodo is nine. He has insulinoma,
with sucessful surgery 16 months ago. He now gets pediapred to control his
blood glucose with good results. He developed an enlarged spleen which, by
last fall, was causing severe mobility problems. Kodo is no longer a
surgical candidate. At Sukie's suggestion we discussed treatment with
antibiotics to reduce the size of the spleen with out vet. After gathering
information our vet tried this as Kodo had nothing left to lose. Treatment
with .25ml Clavamox drops 2x a day resulted in a marked reduction in the
size of the spleen within three days and a return to normal size within two
weeks. Kodo regained full mobility and was much more active than before.
The update: three weeks after discontinuing Clavamox the spleen is
significantly enlarged again and beginning to cause mobility problems. Our
vet has resumed clavamox at .25ml 2x a day for two weeks. Our vet is
comfortable with two weeks on, three weeks off the antibiotics in order to
give Kodo a better quality of life for whatever time he has left.
We had suspected Kodo's eyesight was diminisihing. We can now see that he
is developing cataracts. Old age is catching up with Kodo, but so far he
seems happy and is very affectionate. He's still getting around OK.
I think the treatment of a severely enlarged spleen with antibiotics is a
great last resort. We have a 10 year old ferret in the area who has now
also been treated this way, also with good results.
All the best,
Caity, Kodo, and the rest of the weasels