From:
amandadegraw@hotmail.com
Date: 2006-02-13 20:21:06 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Adrenal ferret now in congestive heart failure? Please help...long post
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Summary:
-6 yr old adrenal male
-had left gland removed two years ago, can't operate on right. is on lupron (500mcg
1 month depot), melatonin implant, and propecia
-recently diasgnosed with insulinoma due to low end of normal glucose readings
(90) and elevated insulin levels. Is on 0.25ml BID of pediapred (1mg/ml (I think)
prednisolone)
-Has been breathing a litte heavier in the last month (you can hear him breathe
when he sleeps) but yesterday was extremely lethargic and breathing quite heavily.
-Was brought into ER last night. Glucose was normal. No fever, vitals were normal.
Took an x-ray. Heart in enlarged, and there is some fluid in the lungs. Spleen is
grossly enlarged (as has been for quite some time. appears to be hematopoesis via
ultrasound)
-Because a respiratory infection (or flu) has been going around my house, he was
started on clavamox last night in case this was pneumonia or some URI.
-As of today he is still lethargic (little less than last night) and still breathing
heavily. Has a GREAT appetite though. Getting lots of chicken baby food and chew
treats. Not drinking as much as he should, so recieved SQ fluids this AM (20ccs of
LRS)
Now for my question...given his symptoms, the vets believe this is a heart issue and
not an infection. Is it a bad idea to begin to heart medications (lasix, digitalis, etc)
or should I do more tests? What are the dosages of the meds I should begin him on?
My concern is that this little guy has been through a lot in the past few months. His
adrenal disease is getting the best of him as the meds dont seem to work as well.
He has lost a lot of hair and has grown more tired as the months go by. Very seldom
does he play like he used to. Until yesterday, his eyes told me he was happy. Now
he just looks depressed. I hate to continue putting him through all these tests and
such. It is VERY stressful for him. I just want him to be comfortable in his final days.
Any advice on how I should proceed is welcomed. While I have owned four ferrets
and love them all dearly, this little boy is the first one I owned, and means the world
to me. I would do anything for him. If it is his time, I would let him go. I just don't
know what to do....
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