From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2006-07-20 18:31:37 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] RE: generic malaise, severe dehydration--causes unknown. CBC and profile attached
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
I think that this resource could maybe be useful for your vet:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/Clin_Path/ClinPath.html
I noticed:
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An interesting finding in evaluating the renal enzymes of ferrets is the relatively insensitivity of creatinine as an indicator of renal failure. Kawasaki et al. In 1995 documented a number of cases in which animals with histologic evidence of end-stage kidneys and blood urea nitrogen levels of 300-400 had creatinine levels lower than 3.0 mg/dl. In fact, the normal creatinine of this species averages approximately half the level of the dog and cat. In evaluation of azotemia, the prudent practitioner should also evaluate urine specific gravity on a routine basis, rather than awaiting elevations in creatinine for confirmation of renal disease.
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When Hilbert had hydronephrosis the most important number was the specific gravity.
Let me see what I can find about treating kidney disease in case i am on the right track (but hopefully those who know more will say something):
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17271
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17221
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17220
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17199
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG17187
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG16305
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG15335
and there are more in the archives.
If it is kidney disease you need to find out why, provide plenty of fluids, reduce phosphorus in the diet, and add fish oil (not cod liver oil but the oil made from whole, small fish) to up the Omega 3 Fatty Acid intake.
How is the ferret urinating? If poorly, are there signs of adrenal disease which will inflame the prostate in males? Also if poorly, uroliths in them can be from opposite causes. Most which get such urinary tract stones need more acidic urine and less plant matter in the diet, but some have urine that is too acidic and they need less of some of the amino acids in the diet (cystine, or sometimes a group of 4 amino acids, called the COLA groups for their initials), and on rare occasion a ferret will have an even more unusual urinary stone type.
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