From:
julie_fossa@yahoo.com
Date: 2006-09-22 02:21:45 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Metacam aka meloxicam dose?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Does anyone know the appropriate dose for a ferret?
The medication leaflet prescribes(for dogs)one drop per pound for dogs under 5 pounds, which would make the dose around 3 drops (oral) for a ferret. (three drops equals approximately 0.06 mL.)
The Ferrets Rabbits and Rodents manual, Page 359, prescribes 0.3 mL PO q24h. This is a pretty large difference considering there are overdosing concerns in the literature.
Metacam vs pred is being used as Valentine, 6 year old male) has heart issues and a larger dose of prednisilone isn't ideal. He is on 0.2 ml BID for low blood sugar. He has also been on slowly increasing doses of furosemide to keep his ascites under control (now 32 mg/day).
He acts like he has an injury from a fall, but he doesn't climb. He was wardancing when I let him out, and a few hours later was doing the 'alligator crawl'. He got 3 drops of the Metacam last night and 3 drops today until I could get him in to see a vet. (I used what was left from another ferret that passed away.) When I got the new meds today, we looked it up in FRR and saw the dose was considerably higher. He did respond to the Metacam.
Reading through the medication leaflet I noticed several warnings about overdosing and wondered if anyone has ever used this high of a dose (0.3 ml) with a ferret. Valentine weighs 2#, 4 oz. There is only one strength available in the liquid.
Any help is appreciated.
Julie
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