From:
"weezilarchy"
Date: 2008-02-01 06:47:10 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Looking for insight on metacam
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
My ferret, Tsunami, has been on prednisolone for nearly a year now.
After I rescued him (terribly thin, jaundiced and with a giant
spleen), he was diagnosed with immune-mediated hemolytic anemia. The
prednisolone has normalized his blood count, and based on the latest
CBC, his dosage is being dropped to slightly less than 1 mg twice a
day (he's been on slightly more than).
But a few days ago, I noticed he had largely lost the use of his back
legs. X-rays reveal the two vertebrae just above the spine are
compressed, and the joint above that is partially compromised (a
detail from the x-ray is posted here:
http://f1.grp.yahoofs.com/v1/YLWiR8-rRPXqSbFGT1m57P4svtQ4uX6Vo0j5BqcfmiayvOVRb_OFMa4SKmvMrn0msPIsBBkAxo4V1uKgq0ZXL_vx02rIgXV61ig/Case%20Files/tsunamispine.jpg).
A friend with two ferrets who are similarly afflicted suggested
metacam. I bounced this off my vet and he seems to think it's worth a
try. I plan to start with the FRR-suggested dosage of 0.3 mg/kg PO
once daily.
However, I know there are concerns about using metacam and pred
(presumably because both are hard on the stomach -- I will be giving
them with food and putting him on carafate), and concerns about
long-term metacam use in ferrets in general.
Insight on metacam and pred, alternatives if it seems to help him, and
long-term use would be appreciated.
-Kat-
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