From:
"Debra K Turcott-Johnson"
Date: 2007-01-18 19:39:47 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] NEED VET INPUT LUPRON/PROPECIA (also FOLLOW UP- slow recovery- dying or what)
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
This is a follow up to the post I sent very early in the AM this
morning.
Took Luke to the vet this morning. He did an ultrasound which showed
his prostrate is 3 cm by 1 cm- he said this is bigger than his bladder.
I like this vet very much but I am wondering if he is getting to the
limit of his expertise in ferrets. He is not a ferret specialist- but
does do adrenal surgeries (no right adrenal removal- debulk but not
remove), insulomia surgeries etc. So far he has been pretty good but
today when I mentioned Buprenorphine for pain - he said that in ferrets
it is only given by injection. Now we have tried valium and ketoprophen
for pain. He also had sent home some Metacam but Luke started to have
some GI problems so I never gave him any of the Metacam. The
ketoprophen did not seem to do much. Valium is a benzodiazapine
tranqulizer which I thought did a great job when Luke had nothing
blocking him from urinating physically --the Vet said Luke could urinate
he just thought he couldn't. Well the Valium did good for him to over
come thinking he could not urinate or relaxing him enough so he
urinated. Then the Valium was stopped and everything went along good
until we got close to the next Lupron shot then he started having
problems again.
I mentioned the Buprenorphine at the beginning of our visit- he said
only for injection in Ferrets. BUT after the ultrasound and exam he
wanted something for pain but wanted to look up some other drug. He
called an exotic vet he knew who told him YES Buprenorphine is given by
mouth to ferrets for pain. OK now we have the Buprenorphine. Label
states "Bupenorphine Oral Susp 11-15lbs 3.6 (1 each) Give 0.1ml orally
up to three times for pain". Is this a good dose?
What is starting to frighten me is that the Vet is acting like Luke is
on his last leg- like maybe I should be putting him to sleep- like maybe
I am just keeping him alive for ME. No one has yet to show me hard
facts in black and white (ie test results ) that I am justified in
putting him down (I will gladly provide last blood tests if someone
wants the info). He looks miserable - well why not- he is in PAIN. He
can still walk- no problem with hind leg weakness- a couple weeks ago he
was playing. He has no other health problems- heart, kidneys, liver,
lungs are fine.
Luke weighs 2 pounds eleven ounces (ON 1-8- 06 he weighed 3 lbs 2oz ).
He gets 250 mcg Lupron shot monthly. I think I have read on this list
of ferrets getting 500 mcg a month- does Luke weigh too little to have a
larger dose of Lupron.? ALSO I READ ABOUT PROPECIA (PROSCAR) TO HELP
WITH THE PROSTRATE . LUKE IS NOT GETTING PROPECIA- IT WAS NEVER OFFERED
TO US. COULD IT BE OF HELP HIM NOW THAT HIS PROSTRATE IS SO LARGE? If he
CAN have it what kind of dose?
I did mention melatonin to this Vet but he was not too keen about using
it.
Thank You in advance for any information.
Kind Regards
Debra
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