From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-02-17 03:59:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Imuran Help Needed
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Yes, Imuran is a serious med and requires a lot of follow-up and certain cautions. On the
other hand, in our experience it can work for severe IBD when nothing else will. There are
individuals who need drugs that can cause serious immune system reduction to control
extreme inflammatory or immune disorders or malignancies, but others who are healthy
-- you are an example -- do not need to share any suppression. Also, for the same
reason that a ferret is tested often -- for example marrow suppression -- others need to
avoid their own exposures
We have used several meds through the years that required special cautions, including
gloves, face masks, and smocks.
I am not the right person to advise on the best ways to avoid getting the med on you
because ours have been good on that score for the vast portion, which is lucky because I
am very allergic to a common antibiotic. We had one exception with a serious med: with
the first ferret we ever had on chemo beyond Pred (about 18 to 20 years ago) I was in front
of Hjalmar after we gave him a dose and he immediately vomited into my mouth as I
spoke soothingly to him. It worked out okay but it was a scare. In that case it part of the
meds he was getting for lymphoma. So, I would advise being to the side of the ferret in
case nausea occurs.
We also read an excellent tip on holding the syringe in palm of our hand and controlling
the plunger with the thumb in a Ferrets Magazine article by Dr. Cottrell (who may have
been Dr. Kemmerer at the time). That helped us a lot. Although I searched for it online to
help you I have not found it.
*****Your vet and the techs at the hospital will have methods they can show you. It will be
great for you to get tips from people here but there is nothing as good as hands-on
instruction. There simply is no replacement for that.*****
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