From:
"Susan Liszewski DVM"
Date: 2009-02-14 21:14:55 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Lupi's test results, need answers
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Did the signs improve or worsen after surgery? Was the right gland
evaluated when he was under anesthesia? If he isn't responding to
the Lupron and the Melatonin either you are looking at a malignancy
or the dose of the Lupron is too low and infrequent. You don't say
how much and how often so don't know.
The prostate should have improved after surgery too unless the other
gland is more of a prob and like I said before there is a
malignancy. Are you using Propecia at all for the prostate
enlargement. If not that might be helpful. Is she on other meds
like Prednisolone or the like? If so dose?
The ALP is variable and the level he is at really could just be
related to a medication or a stress release of cortisol. Don't worry
about that.
Based on the labs yes he is anemic. We need to know why? Does he
have a bleeding ulcer, is he losing it somewhere? Is he not
producing enough Red blood cells, all unanswered questions.
The prednisoline is best but I usu recommend your vet tell you what
to do in this regard. I suspect it might help him consideralby BUT
then again I can't give you that advice you need to have a vet that
actually sees him tell you. The pred from April is prob still good
for a couple of months.
The higher proteins are fine if that is what he has been on for a
while.
If you want to be most accurate with blood glucose testing you could
have your vet order you an AcuChek for dogs and cats and use the dog
settings and these are pretty accurate. If you can't afford it the
one you mention should be fine.
Hope this helps a bit. Good luck to you.
Dr. Sue
TLC First Animal Hospital
Chicago, IL
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Ann" <ann@...> wrote:
>
> Our Lupi is an old guy. He was actually our first ferret, the one
that
> started it all. He's 8 years old now. He had his left adrenal gland
> removed last April. He had an infection that led to his prostate
> swelling that almost caused us to lose him one night. Hence the
surgery.
> He had a UTI and was put on Baytril (in April 2008). Lupi has been
on
> the Melatonin implants for 2-3 years (every 4 months
approximately). He
> also had a Lupron injection back in November I believe. The Lupron
> didn't seem to help, and the Melatonin doesn't seem to be helping as
> much. I wanted to try the liquid melatonin, but I need more info on
the
> exact form and amount. Lupi is walking with a wobble, lost a little
> weight in the last few months even though he gets gravy twice a day,
> dribbles pee A LOT, and had one of those daze episodes the other
> day...not so bad that he didn't immediately snap out of it, but it
got
> us to thinking...which led to the testing.
>
> Lupi had bloodwork done this past Monday and the results are in.
Lupi's
> Results <http://www.ferretdreamsusa.com/lupiresults.pdf> I like to
get
> copies for my records and to be able to get opinions elsewhere if
> necessary. Our vet told us that Lupi does not have insulinoma,
however,
> I honestly think that he is wrong...flat out. When I got the sheet
with
> the results, I noticed the glucose is 44. I was under the impression
> that this is what tells you that a ferret has insulinoma. They also
did
> an insulin check, but I read today in at least 2 articles that this
was
> a waste of time. This number (which is slightly low) is what our vet
> based his decision on.
>
> Also, I'm worried that Lupi is slightly anemic. How can I tell? The
vet
> said his color is good, but when I look at his nose, it looks more
pale
> than normal.
>
> We know Lupi has adrenal issues and according to the vet a UTI
(which
> was probably caused by his dribbling pee). We've had Lupi on
Fenpecia
> and Saw Palmetto as well as Pet-Tinic daily. He is now on Baytril
for
> the UTI.
>
> Is Pred the same thing as Prednisolone when it comes to insulinoma?
How
> long does it last? I have a Prednisolone syrup that Lupi got back in
> April and was wondering if it's even worth keeping. It's 3 mg/ml.
>
> I would really appreciate some help with this. I sure wish I knew
how to
> read the results better. If you'll notice, his Alkaline Phosphatase
is
> WAY HIGH 310 where the norm is 15-45!!! What is this, what causes
this,
> and what do we do to make this better?
>
> I have a lot of questions, and I'm trying to keep this fairly
simple. So
> I think I've covered everything for now, but I have a few more
simpler
> questions.
> 1. What are good protein and fat levels in food to feed older
ferrets
> with adrenal, insulinoma and recurring UTI's? Are the high protein
foods
> still safe? I would assume they are since you give the protein
after a
> seizure to keep glucose up (I think I've got my instances straight,
> please correct me if I'm wrong).
> 2. Also, I am thinking of getting the FreeStyle Lite meter, is
this a
> good choice? It takes very little blood, and I hear that's a good
thing
> when it comes to ferrets.
>
> Thanks so much. I plan on visiting our vet again on Monday to
discuss
> these things, especially since his glucose appears quite low. I
really
> appreciate your help.
>
> Ann H
>
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