From:
"Jeff"
Date: 2008-04-12 18:28:09 UTC
Subject: Re: Pred Re: [ferrethealth] Digest Number 1037
To: <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
I'm including below a past post by Sukie that seems to answer your questions and give some other valuable information about insulinoma and prednisolone.
Two things I can suggest: First, stick with giving the pred 3 times a day, and maybe even four, rather than two. Second, try to feed him every 4 hours, and if you're not doing so now, it might be time to try some sort of soup rather than just kibble. Also, insulinoma does not progress at a nice, steady rate. Sometimes it takes leaps and bounds, especially in later stages.
Jeff
In Memory of Neo
Caring For Trinny, Morphy, Baby Girl, and Luna
Original Post:
From: Sukie Crandall
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Thursday, January 24, 2008 2:06 PM
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.
Sukie (not a vet)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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