Message Number: FHL10896 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: "Velvet_31_f_usa"
Date: Sat, 06 Feb 2010 04:15:58 -0000
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [ferrethealth] Addison's disease research
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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Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.