From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2003-12-18 04:39:27 UTC
Subject: Re:Bilateral adrenal/ Addison's disease
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <87.1950af3.2d12897f@cs.com>
Hi Liz,
You are describing Addison's disease. That is why
the ferret perked up after fluids (0.9% NACL) and dex-
amethasone. If both adrenal glands are removed (and there are
no accessory adrenal nodules in the fat pads by the adrenals)
then the ferret will need supplementation of the adrenal hormones
to survive. There are basically 2 options.
1) Percorten-V injections (0.1cc/kg) IM or SQ every 21-30 days.
Most every 4 weeks but some require it every 3 weeks.
Usually Pediapred is needed with the percorten. I start out
with 1mg, 2 times a day for the first week, then 1mg, once
a day for 7 days, then just 1mg, once a day to every other
day. Give with food! (If liquid medicine is too hard to give then
deprol-medrol injections can be used instead of pediapred.)
2) Florinef tablets: 1/4 tablet per ferret once a day. Pediapred is
usually not needed because florinef has some corticosteroid
like activity.
For Shelia I would also use some SQ NACL to help rehydrate her.
Some ferrets will also benefit from a small amount of salt added
to the food.
Hope that helps,
Jerry Murray, DVM