From:
"Roger Vaughn"
Date: 2004-01-09 01:09:34 UTC
Subject: Rimadyl
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
Message-ID: <49491.192.168.132.39.1073610574.squirrel@mail.seaconinc.com>
The trick with Rimadyl (or any multi-dose pill) is to cut it into MORE
chunks than you need. True, there is no way you're going to divide a
single Rimadyl into 25 equal pieces. So, keep breaking it down until
you have 50 or 75 chunks of roughly equal size, then use multiple
chunks per dose. This way you can also balance a large first chunk
with a small second one (for example), making a reasonably close
approximation to the dosage you're shooting for.
Obviously this isn't a good approach if the dosage has to be precisely
controlled, but works well for things like Rimadyl.
I have given Rimadyl, prednisolone, and even the dreaded metronidazole
this way with few headaches. (BTW, metronidazole tablets, cut into
chunks and served in something like FerretVite, Nutrical or Nutrimalt,
disappears in moments without ANY of the fuss associated with the
liquid. Powdered, on the other hand, it gets just as bad a reaction
as liquid.)
Rimadyl does work well in ferrets, and I have used it very
successfully on my own. It's specifically indicated for
osteo/arthritic or post-surgical pain, though. There are times when
steriods won't do, or when pain-specific meds are more effective, and
this is much friendlier to the system than narcotics like
butorphanol/Torbutrol. We don't need to make our ferrets any loopier
than they already are!
I might have to try the Metacam Dr. Ruth suggests next time we need a
pain med, though.
roger