From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-04-26 04:26:08 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Adrenal ferret/2 vets - was "Update on my ferret Herb"
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hmm, well, thing are starting to push the rules a bit...
It will hope if all recall that the First Rule of the FHL is:
1) Be kind to one another. No flames. Don't attack a poster.
At this point I think that we have miscommunication rather than
people at all wanting to hurt each other.
I don't think that anyone was being snitty, Laura. I think that people who
understand the medical problems of untreated adrenal disease just plain
got very worried that your ferret and you would wind up hurt. Steroids,
including low dose steroids have been known for a long time to NOT be a
treatment for ferret adrenal disease.
Here is why that proposal worries people so thoroughly and makes them
so strongly want to protect your ferret's health and spare you pain by being
frank with you:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG5054
Begin Quote:
Actually tonight I am working on a promised article to Ferrets Mag about
adrenal disease. But I think that Melissa and Sukie have covered the dire
possibilities very well (and they are very real.)
However, even under the best conditions, when there is no malignancy,
there is no bone marrow toxicosis, there is no prostatic cystic disease -
even the most mild prediction is a sad one. Ferrets with adrenal disease
have a diminished quality of life - they have progressive muscle loss,
low grade anemia, they tend to redistribute weight to the abdomen,
further making it difficult to walk, they have an increased incidence of
gastric ulcers as a result of the stress of chronic illness, decreased bone
density - none life-threatening, but all life-compromising. Even medical
treatment, which is not my preferred way of treating adrenal disease,
gives slight releif to symptoms. Doing nothing is not kind and not in a
ferret's best interest.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, DVM
End Quote
Now add onto that the problems that misuse of steroids can cause:
reduced resistance to disease
increased rates of ulcers due to the irritation of the steroids and the
reduced ability to fight helicobacter infections
increased fat gain
and mush more that have already been explained in several posts.
Here is another reason they can be inappropriate for ferrets who have
adrenal disease: the same reason they are inappropriate for those with
osteoporosis: the steroids can increase bone density loss. The chain of
events that lead to adrenal disease can also lead to an increase in FSH
production and that in turn has been strongly implicated in the loss of
bone mass, so there again both the disease and the wrong treatment
would have a cumulative effect, and where one alone might not prove
a problem they could pose a real risk when working against health together.
Steroids are important for the diseases that call for their use but that
doesn't mean that they can safely be given to any ferret.
Also, people want to point out that the term "holistic" is being misapplied.
It doesn't really matter to them who is originating the misapplication but
they want you to understand how and why the term was misused.
Those people are not being snitty, Laura. They are hoping to help you and
to spare you and your ferret needless suffering, especially when well studied
approaches exist. That is a kindness, though I think that right now there
are some beginning to feel a bit frustrated and therefore even more worried.
You want to know how those steroids work. Okay, after this post is is clear
that you are wondering some of the mechanisms of action of the steroids
WHEN THEY ARE USED FOR OTHER MEDICAL PROBLEMS FOR WHICH THEY
ARE APPROPRIATE. That is your question, right? You'll find links in the
FHL links sections which explain medications and will help you with that.
Sadly, that question was not at all clear before, I'm afraid.
They help raise blood sugar (which is why to avoid them with diabetes, oh,
and glaucoma is another medical problems which can make them
inappropriate for a different reason) and they are potent fighters of
inflammation. I am not sure of their mode(s) of action in fighting blood
and lymph malignancies.
Please, folks, everyone calm down. Good intentions are being misunderstood
and there has been miscommunication on the parts of multiple people and also,
I think some misreading, or reading into posts,so a little gentle tiptoeing by everyone
could make sense right now.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Laura Sherman" <c2cheshire@...> wrote:
>
> I don't know why it is that forums like these tend to have a group of
> members that feel the need to snitty. I don't understand how what I've
> posted should solicit that kind of response. ???I simply conveyed what the
> vet #2 office said to me and asked for your opinion and hopefully someone
> could explain how steroids work. I know they are NOT given for Adrenal
> Disease (now) but they are given for all the others that have been listed.
> That still doesn't explain to me HOW they work. That's fine if this is not
> the place to ask that kind of question. I can find out somewhere else.
> I don't know how *I'm* giving holistic vets a bad rap? I don't understand
> how "I've" done anything wrong here? I'M not *suggesting* anything about
> this vet #2 -- THEY CALL THEMSELVES HOLISTIC, I didn't label them that.
> Before these two responses I had a pretty good feeling about this group and
> the members on it. But, I don't appreciate the attitude turning sour so
> easily -- any why? I just don't understand.
>
> Laura
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