From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-06-26 16:27:19 UTC
Subject: RE: Insulinoma - Diazoxide
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <1514853.1119803239804.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
> Diazoxide works well for some ferrets and not at all for others. The only way to >know is to try it. Dosages start at 5-10 mg/kg, twice a day and can go up to a total >of 60mg/kg per day. I know of nothing other than the various forms of prednisone, >diazoxide or surgery, and a good, high protein diet that will help.
> mike
Mike's advice is excellent. My suggestion is to do a trial with some from a compounding pharmacy (Many ship if you do not have one used to ferret meds near you.) If you go into Files at
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
you will see the Reference Shelf. If you click that open you will find the list of compounding pharmacies recommended by FHL members.
How many times a day are you giving Pred? Twice a day is best for most but some do better three times a day.
Also, Is it Prednisone or Prednisolone? (Pediapred is Prednisolone.) Prednisone requires a liver step to be converted into Prednisolone, so if the liver is at all compromised Prednisolone will work better than Prednisone, sometimes incredibly better.
We also tend to use oral sugar that is always available and Pred doses that are higher than the typical recommendations once the ferret can't be controlled the normal ways and insulinoma symptoms are showing up.
There are also times when a later surgery can help again.