From:
"megdini"
Date: 2010-09-09 14:23:28 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] hind leg weakness really bad
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
So we're pretty sure our ferret has insulinoma, and he's been showcasing hind leg weakness. He can still walk around on his own, but he's pretty wobbly and pitiful looking. lately, we've noticed he's been walking funny on one of his front paws, almost folding it under when he walks, but only sometimes. It's really sad to watch, because he seems to be in great spirits, but his body is just getting worse.
He's on prednisone now, which I know is supposed to help manage the cancer, but is there anything else to be done about the hind leg thing? I've never seen a ferret with insulinoma before; do the legs just keep getting worse and worse until the ferret can't walk? I want to be able to do all we can before we consider putting him down, although I realize that is the inevitable choice we will have to make. I appreciate any advice anyone can give, thanks!
[If the hind leg weakness persists then the
dose is not effective.
How often is the ferret getting the med?
Once a day? Twice a day? Three times
a day?
Dose? (To know this we need to be able to
know the mg level (medication weight) so if
you give it as a liquid give both the volume
(which will be in ml or cc which is the same
thing) AND the concentration (which is in
units of mg/ml.
What is the ferret's weight? Age?
Try Prednisolone INSTEAD of Prednisone
since the liver has to process Prednisone
into Prednisolone before the body can
use it. As a result sometimes Prednisone
is pretty much useless for them while
Prednisolone works.
Also have the vet redo the blood glucose work
and calibrate a new dose. Over time with
insulinoma more is needed.
WHY do you say that you are "PRETTY SURE"
that your ferret has insulinoma? This ferret
is getting veterinary evaluation with CBC and
Chemistry Profile done, right? Is your vet
just waiting for the results? How long ago
was the blood run?
Insulinoma is not usually a malignancy, i.e.
not usually a "cancer". See:
http://www.afip.org/consultation/vetpath/ferrets/PDF/insulinoma.pdf
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG6502
http://www.afip.org/consultation/vetpath/ferrets/PDF/neoplasia.pdf
-- Moderator]
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