From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2006-07-05 18:55:36 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: lasix dosing questions
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Hi Brenda,
A very good site to research Lasix (R) or the generic, furosemide, is
http://www.marvistavet.com/html/body_furosemide.html
It's a veterinary site and has very good information on the drug furosemide. Furosemide is considered a 'dose to effect' drug. Some key points covered include:
*removes excess fluids due to heart failure, either in the belly or chest cavity. Injectable is more effective during an acute heart failure crisis, but oral is generally satisfactory for management after stabilization.
*can remove fluids from body cavities or tissues even when the cause is not heart failure.
*also stimulates urine production due to acute kidney failure.
*can be used to reduce excessive blood calcium levels that can damage kidneys.
The literature lists 2 side effects:
1) increased thirst
2) increased urination
Furosemide can increase blood sugar levels.
Urination is usually seen within 30 minutes.
The drug peaks after 1-2 hours when given by mouth.
Drug interactions include some heart meds. (enalapril and captopril) so requires monitoring.
Can be used with Prednisone.
It is important to monitor hydration when using furosemide.
Weakness or lethargy could mean blood potassium has dropped too low. (I give Valentine a bite of banana a couple of times a week to help with this.) Vitamins are a good idea, too.
This article states it is extremely difficult to overdose with furosemide.. Toxic doses are over 100 times the typical oral dose.
You can give an extra dose any time it is needed, which can be a life saving procedure. Just be sure to watch for dehydration or weakness.
Valentine is on 36mg a day divided in two doses. It's been a couple of months since he needed a third dose in the afternoon to keep him breathing. He is active and playful at 6 years of age, now. He started at 2mg BID in February, but we had to keep increasing his dose until we were able to keep his lungs clear. He seems to have stabilized.
Your female's abdominal mass may very well be responsible for the fluids. I've seen that before.
Best wishes,
Julie
Author wrote:
> I have an eight yr. old girl with only moderate heart
disease, but who requires major amounts of lasix to keep the fluid in her abdomen down. ...and an 'undefined mass' in her abdomen which my vets believe are responsible for the rapid fluid build up - We are trying to keep her dose of lasix as low as we can while maintaining her quality of life. Her levels of lasix have been as high as 19mg given in several doses over a
24hr period for several days to now about 16mg over the course of 24hrs.
> Has anyone experience with or know of research on ferrets and very high doses of lasix for prolonged periods of time? I am extremely concerned about the damage these doses are doing,
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