From:
"Sue Liszewski"
Date: 2003-12-31 06:18:34 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] Problems with urinating
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Law12-F118v9GZ36f3g0000579e@hotmail.com>
Yes if his bladder is that big it is a problem. It almost sounds like he
has a prostatic csyt that may have put enough pressure on the bladder it
caused problems. Are x rays okay? Has he tried a pneumocystogram? If it is
not the typical causes adrenal, prostate, then I would want to rule out a
mass or the like within the bladder. I know at his age surgery is probably
not an option. I know he is on pred and this might seem a bit radical since
you should not mix the two but I have when I get to a point where I don't
have any other options and nothing to lose I have done it. I have used a
medication called Piroxicam (Feldane). It is an NSAID that is used with
many tumors and has been shown to reduce inflammation and tumor size in
some. I use it at 0.3mg/kg body weight. I would use it with tagamet,
pepcid, or omprazole to help protect thier tummy. I have cycled it too, used
it for 2 weeks then off for 1-2 weeks, and see how they do. I use it once
daily. It may not work if it is a functional problem and in those cases
there are meds that can be used but again you need to be sure there is no
obstruction. Another thing I have done with chronic inflammatory bladder
disease is to use the glycosaminoglycans like Adequan injected into the
bladder or oral meds that are used as joint protectants because ther joint
fluid is composed of the same components that the lining of the bladder is,
and for that I use cat doses for ferrets. Examples like cosequin,
glycoflex, chondroflex, etc. ( and it wouldn't hurt his joints either).
Don't know if this helps at all or not but keep us informed. Beast of Luck
to you.
Dr. Sue
>From: "Lucie Darkes" <ldarkes@tampabay.rr.com>
>Reply-To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
>To: "FHL" <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
>Subject: [ferrethealth] Problems with urinating
>Date: Tue, 30 Dec 2003 11:49:28 -0500
>
>Merlin is 8.5 years old. He has been treated for insulinoma and adrenal
>disease for almost three years. He is currently on prednisone 1.25 mg per
>day for the insulinoma with good results. He receives relatively high dose
>lupron injections (just increased to 400 mcg) about every six to eight
>weeks. He also receives 0.25 mg of Propecia daily. About a year ago,
>Merlin developed a severe urinary infection. He was catheterized, and with
>antibiotics recovered from the infection. Since that time however, he has
>not urinated without assistance. Initially, I was able to encourage his
>urination with warm water/baths, however about six months ago this no
>longer worked. My vet showed me how to express his bladder and we have
>been doing this twice daily. We have urinalysis done regularly (monthly)
>and these consistently show elevated inflammatory cells -- presumably due
>to the ongoing presence of urine in the bladder -- but no bacteria, as we
>have kept him on Baytril since his initial infection. My vet has checked
>him over and found no physiological reason why Merlin should be unable to
>urinate.
> Over the past week, it has become increasingly more difficult to
>express Merlin's bladder. He just had a lupron injection and urinalysis on
>Saturday (12/20). The urinalysis was the same as always. He went from
>having a good flow to barely dripping when expressing his bladder. We went
>to the vet's office yesterday and he was able to express Merlin's bladder
>under anesthesia with minimal effort, leading him to believe that Merlin is
>resisting and making the expressing more difficult. He gave us some valium
>for Merlin in order to try to relax his muscles so the expressing might go
>more easily. He also believes that if Merlin is able to hold in the urine,
>he will be able to go on his own. Today, however I have been unable to
>express his bladder at all. It feels quite large, but nothing comes out.
>I don't know how long I should let this go -- I don't know if we are
>missing something or if I am overreacting. Please, if anyone can give me
>some suggestions on what may be wrong or what else we can try I would be
>forever grateful. I know Merlin doesn't have that much time left here, but
>I want to make what he does have left as comfortable as possible.
> Many thanks, Lucie
>
>
>
>--
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>
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