From:
Sukie Crandall
Date: 2011-05-09 20:18:54 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: My ferrets lack of energy
To: fhl <ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com>
Also per request by one list member (and ferrets can get this just as dogs can):
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/dog-care/hypercalcemia.aspx
info on symptoms of Vitamin D toxicity in ferrets:
http://www.treaschwigveterinaryclinic.com/tag/vitamin-d-toxicity/
This one is in relation to a past set of food recalls:
http://www.gvma.net/i4a/headlines/headlinedetails.cfm?id=94&archive=1
to
http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/Information_for_Veterinarians_Oct%208.pdf
but if you scroll down you will get symptoms and such
including
>dystrophic mineralization of soft tissues with various consequences depending on the system affected.
Some possibilities:
muscle tremors, renal failure (polyuria / polydipsia), anorexia, vomiting, diarrhea / constipation, gastric ulceration, arrhythmias (bradycardia / ventricular premature contractions), seizures, and dyspnea:
http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/Information_for_Veterinarians_Oct%208.pdf
It's a recommended read. Treatment can include (depending on the organs with the deposits):
> Treatment varies based on the patientÂ’s status, but options include supportive care (promote calciuresis with IV fluid therapy), peritoneal dialysis (for severe azotemia / hypercalcemia), antiemetics / gastroprotectants / antibiotics (for gastric ulceration and to prevent bacterial translocation) and of course, discontinuation of the diet. Additional medications that can be considered for these patients include pamidronate, glucocorticoids, and furosemide (calciuresis). Note that the release of vitamin D from soft tissue stores will take weeks to months.
VIN's press release section had a LOT on this medical problem which can hit ferrets and dogs back during that same time so just put Buffalo in the site search box in
http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?catId=0
to read more about symptoms there, too.
Diagnosis and treatment of Vitamin D toxicosis (another "must read" document):
http://www.avma.org/petfoodsafety/recalls/2010/HypercalcemiaTreatmentGuidelines100810.pdf
includes
> Clinical signs can be vague and nonspecific in the beginning. Excessive amounts of vitamin D can increase serum calcium and phosphorus levels (due to increased bone resorption and intestinal and renal tubular absorption of calcium) starting in12-24 hours after the initial exposure and persisting for days and weeks. As the calcium/ phosphorus product rises, soft tissue mineralization occurs primarily in the kidneys and often in heart, GI, and the CNS. Acute renal failure from renal vasoconstriction and ischemia as well as metastatic calcification, coma, and death can occur in severe or untreated cases.
For those unfamiliar with the terms CNS is the Central Nervous System, i.e. the brain and spinal cord, and renal refers to the kidneys.
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/
http://www.ferrethealth.msu.edu/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
all ferret topics:
http://listserv.ferretmailinglist.org/archives/ferret-search.html
"All hail the procrastinators for they shall rule the world tomorrow."
(2010, Steve Crandall)
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