From:
"cherylnj81"
Date: 2007-12-14 20:21:52 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Clarification on prednisolone Dose
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I wanted to clarify that the concentration of the Prednisolone Alvin
is getting is 10 mg/ml, and that he is getting 0.20 ml of that twice a
day, and this has been the dosage for 2 days now. I checked his blood
sugar late last night, and 5 hours after his last dosage his blood
glucose was 57 so I was not happy about that.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "cherylnj81" <Sheryl81@...> wrote:
>
> Wondering if you all could take a look at this and let me know what
> you think about my male ferret Alvin, 5.5 y.o. with no prior medical
> problems except below:
>
> In Spring of 2007 Alvin woke up one night very alert but unable to
> walk, rear legs swollen, took to emergency room, vets checked Blood
> sugar, was normal, gave shot of allergy medicine. Next morning all
> legs were very swollen and purplish. Vet could not figure out what
> was wrong but gave a shot of Lasix, and advised to syringe feed him
> water throughout the night. Never figured out what was wrong, maybe
> bug bite?
>
> August 2007 Alvin starts showing rear leg unsteadiness, easily pushed
> over, sliding a lot on wood floor. Got diagnosed with insulinoma from
> glucose being in low 70s. Prescribed 0.05 ml Prednisolone 2x a day
> (10mg/ml solution). Two weeks later, I retake blood at home and find
> blood glucose level in 40s. Vet advised to bump up to .1 ml Pred.,
> after a few days ferret starts showing signs of teeth grinding but
> bowel movements ok. Lower to .075 ml Prednisolone, stays pretty
> steady but not eating hard food anymore, only ground kibble mixed with
> water.
>
> October 2007, Alvin goes in for adrenal surgery based on positive
> Tennessee Panel (no physical symptoms). Vet finds need for removal +
> debulking, sends biopsy out and comes back as necrotic tissue. Vet
> also notices wrinkled stomach so takes biopsy. Alvin recovers from
> surgery and is eating hard kibble for a few days post-surgery, then
> goes back to eating only soft food.
>
> Mid-November 2007, Alvin still not eating hard food, continuing to be
> lethargic and hind-leg weakness increasing, and frequent yawning. Vet
> decides it might be a tooth problem so a cleaning is done and an x-ray
> while under anesthesia. X-ray shows pneumonia unexpectedly (no
> previous respiratory problems). Alvin eats hard food for a few days,
> then goes back to only ground kibble + water.
> Prescribed 1 month of .5 Clavamox.
>
> December 2007 (present): no positive changes, persistent lethargy,
> hind leg weakness. 2nd x-ray taken, no changes in pneumonia. Again,
> NO observable respiratory symptoms like wheezing, coughing, etc. Vet
> suspects permanent lung damage because of this type of pneumonia.
> Prescribed 1.5 Enroflaxin for another few weeks, then review again.
>
> After 2 days on new medicine, blood glucose still in 50s, still very
> lethargic with lots of yawning.
>
> September 28 blood values
> AST (SGOT) 144 High (46-118 U/L)
> Total Protein 8.2 High (4.3-6.0 g/dL)
> Globulin 4.1 High (0.2-2.4 g/dL)
> Cholesterol 90 Low (120-144 mg/dL)
> Glucose 90 Low (120-144 mg/dL)
> Calcium 9.8 High (7.6-9.6 mg/dL)
> Monocytes 8 High (0-1%)
> Eosinophils 6 High (0-1%)
>
> November 13 blood values
> Total Protein 8.1 High (4.3-6.0 g/dL)
> Globulin 4.2 High (0.2-2.4 g/dL)
> Creatinine 0.3 Low (0.4-0.9 mg/dL)
> Glucose 77 Low (120-144 mg/dL)
> Calcium 9.8 High ( 7.6-9.6 mg/dL)
> Monocytes 8 High (0-1%)
> Eosinophil 4 High (0-1%)
>
> More info:
> Alvin had a Electrophoresis test done in May of 2007, which showed the
> following results:
>
> Fraction Rel % G/dL
> Albumin 52.2 3.24
> Alpha 1 7.4 0.46
> Alpha 2 9.4 0.58
> Beta 15.7 0.97
> Gamma 15.3 0.95
>
> Total: G/dL 6.20 A/G 1.09
>
> The technician put a note on the paper which said gamma = 15% ADV
> light pos.
>
> On 2nd page of electrophoresis test:
> Chemistry: Serum con. Normal condition.
>
> Electrophoresis
> Alpha 1 Globulin 0.46 g/dL
> Alpha2 Globulin 0.58 g/dL
> Beta Globulin 0.97 g/dL
> Gamma Globulin 0.95 g/dL
> Albumin 52.2%
> Alpha1 Globulin 7.4%
> Alpha2 Globulin 9.4%
> Beta Globulin 15.7%
> Gamma Globulin 15.3%
> A/G Ratio 1.09
> Albumin EPH 3.24
> TP EPH 6.2
> Values reported are wintin normal expected ranges. Albumin and A/G
> ratio values are good.
>
>
> Subsequently, Alvin has had 2 ADV tests by Blue Cross Animal Hospital,
> one in May 2007 and one in October 2007 which both came back negative.
>
>
> Looking over the biopsies, here is what I actually have:
>
> 10/08/07
> Source: Colon
> Microscopic Description: The submitted smears are of low cellularity,
> no intact nucleated cells are found. The background of the sample
> contains moderate numbers of extracellular bacterial organisms,
> usually rod-shaped. The sample also contains moderate amounts of
> necrotic cellular debris and basophilic material interpreted as
> possible mucus. No parasites, fungal organisms or atypical cells are
> found.
> Cytological Interpretation: Possible muous hyperplasia
> Comments: The background of the sample contains abundant basophilic
> material interpreted as possible mucus. The cause of these findings
> cannot be determined from this sample. The bacterial organisms are
> normal findings from the colon. No parasites or atypical cells are
> found.
>
> 10/04/07
> Source: Right adrenal gland
> Microscopic Description: This sample is an isolated nodule of pale
> pink to blue amorphous coagulum. Embedded within this are faint, poor
> staining outlines of cells.
> Diagnosis: Necrotic nodule
> Comments: Because of the lack of visible features, we cannot identify
> the source of this material. We therefore cannot comment on the cause
> nor the effect on the patient.
>
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