From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-06-22 14:25:46 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: Adrenal Senior
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
If both adrenal glands come out completely or with too much tissue out or atrophied to provide the needed adrenal products they need life long medication to avoid Addisons. We had one on Fludrocort/Florinef and Prenisolone for around 5 years after she lost both adrenals (one malignant but surgery was corrective) and then years later she had a different medical problem that was terminal. Others prefer using Percorten injections instead of the Fludrocort/Florinef. Some use different steroid meds than the Pred. If the ferret also has an intestinal problem that results in diarrhea be sure to go with the Percorten instead of Fludrocort/Florinef because the oral med can be passed too rapidly to be effective enough. Fludrocort/Florinef is often most easy given crushed with a bit of Ferretone so it can be lapped up.
Remember that if some adrenal tissue is left in there still may not be enough to produce the needed adrenal products, plus the growth may return, but sometimes it is simply not possible to get all, especially if the right adrenal has grown into the Vena Cava or the liver.
It may take a while to get the meds adjusted and in those situations giving a little salt in the diet, a tip originally posted by Dr. Jerry Murray, can help. We were so grateful for knowing that trick with one of ours.
These ferrets can sometimes require higher doses of their meds if their lives become more demanding: if they are very ill, if they become much more active, if they gain a lot of weight, etc.
See:
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/addisons.htm
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG9938
(also mentions Vetalog)
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG9931
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG16232
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/browse.php?msg=SG12920
There are more in the FHL Archives (addy in my signature or link to it by clicking on the bold font archives mention on our homepage) but these will get you started.
-- Sukie (not a vet, and not speaking for any of the below in my private posts)
Recommended health resources to help ferrets and the people who love them:
Ferret Health List
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/ferrethealth
FHL Archives
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
AFIP Ferret Pathology
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
Miamiferrets
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
International Ferret Congress Critical References
http://www.ferretcongress.org
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