From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2004-02-04 16:36:21 UTC
Subject: Kodo update (9 y/o - enlarged spleen, insulinoma)
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20040204113621.72aee489@nyssa>
Hi, everyone,
A brief recap: Kodo is a nine year old large neutered male ferret. He has a hugely enlarged spleen which impacts his mobility. He also has insulinoma. He is not a surgical candidate. We tried Clavamox, three weeks on, two weeks off, to reduce the size of his spleen by attacking any underlying infection. The first round of Clavamox reduced his spleen to normal size. Two weeks later it was enlarged again (though not to the same extent we saw originally) and a second round of Clavamox began. It helped, but not as much as the first round. Two weeks later we tried Baytril instead.
Well... the Baytril did nothing for Kodo. Next week (after two weeks off) we will start Clavamox again hoping it will still have some benefit. Kodo's spleen is huge again and it is impacting mobility again. When we started the Baytril we also found his blood glucose was down again. Pediapred was increased to .3ml 2x a day (1mg/ml concentration). His activity level picked up but his blood glucose only went up to 64. We'll recheck that next week as well.
The concern we have now is that he's on about as much pred as helped him before surgery. We did go to .35ml 2x a day before surgery but it didn't help his blood glucose and caused diarrhea. Surgery isn't an option this time so if we have to increase the pediapred again and it doesn't help we would probably start him on diazoxide/proglycem and see if that works.
Kodo is adapting well to his diminished eyesight due to his developing cataracts. He still does his usual explore/play and is still as affectionate as ever. He can only see something right in front of his face. All we're trying to do is buy time and maintain his quality of life.
I'll post again next time I have an update.
All the best,
Caity and the super seven