From:
"Velvet_31_f_usa"
Date: 2010-02-06 04:15:58 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Addison's disease research
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I spent a good deal of time today going through the FHL archives to learn e=
verything I can about Addison's disease including symptoms, medications, th=
ings the vet should check and how Addison's can be confirmed. I am just go=
ing to put what I gathered below. I may have inadvertently directly quoted=
someone from the FHL archives. I hope my research can help others.
Addison's Disease
(aka Adrenocortical insufficiency)
Symptoms of Addison's disease:
------------------------------
Anorexia
Body temperature dropping
Coma
Dark yellow urine (indicates dehydration)
Dehydration
Diarrhea (possibly even a mustard color)
Extreme Lethargy
Lack of appetite
Refuses to eat solid foods
Seizures
Shivering
Thirst (increasing or decreasing)
Vomiting
Weakness
Medications for Addison's disease and related medical issues:
-------------------------------------------------------------
(After both adrenal glands are removed supplementation of adrenal hormones =
are necessary for survival)
Amoxicillin (for diarrhea): Antibiotic that treats bacterial infections
Clavamox (for diarrhea): Antibiotic that treats bacterial infections
Dexamethasone
Florinef: (Florinef comes in the form of tablets. =BC tablet 1x per day.=
Pediapred is not usually needed because florinef has some corticosteroid =
like activity.)=20
Fludrocortisone
Pediapred
Percortin-V: (Percoten injections may be given at a dose of (0.1cc/kg) IM=
or SQ every 21-30 days. Most ferrets can wait to get this injection up to=
4 weeks. But some need it every 3 weeks. Usually pediapred is needed alo=
ngside the percorten. You can start out with 1mg 2x per day for the first =
week, then 1 mg 1x per day for the second week and then 1mg 1x per day ever=
y other day. Suggestion: Give with food. Sometimes if liquid medicine is=
too difficult to give then deprol-medrol injections can be used instead of=
pediapred)
Prednisolone: Anti-inflammatory, stabilizes blood sugar
Triamcinolone (may be the same thing as vetalog)
Vetalog (injection) is a long acting steroid like cortisone
Things to have the vet check:
------------------------------
Blood panel: A full CBC
Blood test to check hormone levels
Electrolyte level via blood test
Possibility of needing Sub Q fluids
Potassium level
Sodium level
Temperature
How to confirm that a ferret has Addison's disease:
----------------------------------------------------
The vet can confirm based on the ratio of sodium to potassium
Jules questions based on reading through the FHL archives:
----------------------------------------------------------
What is an addisonian crisis?
What are the symptoms of a ferret crashing?=20
What constitutes a collapse? What's the difference between that and them j=
ust laying down on their stomach?
I should look up what vena cava is because it has been mentioned a lot.
------------------------------------
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