From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2008-01-24 19:06:49 UTC
Subject: Re: Pred Re: [ferrethealth] Digest Number 1037
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Typically, unless specially compounded, the liquid is Prednisolone so
all should be well. If it was fromt he vet then it probably
Prednisolone.
Normally, the liver has to turn Prednisone into Prednisolone so if the
liver begins having any problems then Prednisone will work less well.
We had one whose liver was very affected secondary to intestinal
problems. For him Prednisone may as well have been water -- no effect
BUT when given Prednisolone it worked incredibly well.
You have the blood glucose measured and get to a good number and then
afterward increase when symptoms return.
ALWAYS give the pred with food to avoid stomach irritation.
If Carafate is also given to reduce that risk factor or deal with
existing ulcers then try to give that on as empty a belly as possible
(but with a ferret with insulinoma you want to ALWAYS have food handy
so don't expect to be able to do that med in exactly the best way) and
do NOT give it close in time to other meds.
There is not an actual upper limit. There is a point after which
problems from the Pred become much more likely (and a few ferrets
reach this early so those need injected Pred or an alternative
steroid, or more Diazoxide and less Pred). If it comes down to the
last months involving a very high dose or death, though, then the
higher dose is worth trying to get a decent span of extra quality
life. In the very final months always having something with sugar
handy for that individual will also for some greatly help. We have in
the past had a tiny female on as high as 5 mg total of Prednisolone
over the space of each day.
Dividing the dose DOES help with coverage. Twice a day is better than
once, and three times really helps a number of ferrets.
Always, always, always have food available for a ferret with
insulinoma, even if it means having multiple dishes out. They don't
always realize that they have to eat until they are at risk of seizure.
On his other health problem:
What is being done for his ear mites and possible secondary ear
infection? Frontline or Revolution? Are all being treated? For the
possible secondary infection what is being used? An antibiotic? A
fungal treatment med? Which ones? The head tilt could be at least
partly from that. Secondary fungal infections of the ear can even eat
through bone if left way too long, but treat them promptly and all is
well!
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
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