From:
jadeblasio@aol.com
Date: 2011-08-14 17:01:35 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Ferret with Lung Cancer Stable for 5months suddenly sick
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Everyone,
I know some of you have read about my ferret Guille (Gee-Jay) here
before. To give a quick backround... Guille is an 8 1/2 year old male
ferret who was diagnosed with lung cancer (lymphoma) on March 4th,
2011. At that time he was given 1 week to live. He has been treated
with Prednisilone, lasix, and Essiac since that time and has done
quite well with x-rays improving each time he is rechecked. His
breathing had returned back to almost 100% normal, with flare ups only
on bad weather days (humid/rain), and then later he was not even
effected by weather. He also is on Inulin (PZI) because he has
diabeties from his prednisilone (had insulinoma until the pred was
raised). He was well controlled on 2units with sugars reading 130-150.
Other than that, he has caught upper respiratory infections here and
there when someone in the house is sick, and those were treated with
baytril and azythromyicn. He stays on Baytril as it seems that every
time he comes off, he goes down hill. We keep trying to stop it, as he
has been taking it since May, however the breathing usually acts up,
and as soon as we go back it improves. He haas also had accupuncture
to help the respiratory system and it helped alot. He has been doing
well, xrays improve each time we have a recheck and his eating and
activity are good, despite hind end weakness (weight gain from pred),
and normal slowing with age. He also has an enlarged prostate
(adrenal, only right side left), which is treated with superlorian and
if not available, lupron. I also give him 3mg of melatonin orally
9hours after sunrise.
With all that being said..... last Tue (Aug 2nd) I made an attempt to
stop the baytril. I noticed a slight change in breathing so on 8/6
(sat) I started it again and decided better not to attempt to stop
again. Then on Wednesday 8/10 out of nowhere his sugar started to read
VERY high (high 400s) and despite adding chromium and uping the insulin
dose to 3units (which all would normally work) I still got high
readings. His sugar goes high I notice if he is not feeling well. On
Thrusday 8/11 his breathing started to get bad. My dad also said he
had a sore throat. I took him right to the vet, and xrays showed that
his lungs had become as bad as when 1st diangosed. Now this was sudden
and out of no-where. We decided to stop the baytril and use another
antibiotic in the same family (since he has been taking baytril so
long). He started Orbax 30mg/ml 0.25ml 1x daily. The vet also gave me
Azithromycin incase he did not improve since we are 45 minutes away and
asked me to old off and see how he does with Orbax.
We had a hoerible night. Breathing was the worst I had ever seen it.
He also had a high fever, and I was up all night giving water every 2
hours with baby food and putting cold compresses on his feet and ears.
His apettitte was poor, which had never occured before. At 4am the
fever broake and by morning his activity had returned, braething had
improved and he was eating better. His sugar even came down to 190. I
figured he was on the mend. I also woke up feeling sick (had my face
in his all night), so figured for certain he had caught something.
Then last night around 11pm his breathing became horrible. I have
never seen breathing this bad. I could actually see his nostrils open
and closing just like a rabbit. His breathing was deepa nd labored. I
was certain he would not make it. He had no fever this time oddly, and
also his gums, paw pads, and tongue were all nice and pink unlike other
times he had slight breathing issue, where he turned bluish. I didnt
understand how the breathing could be so very bad and he still be
pink?????? I started to wonder if this was not pain related instead of
lung related. I tried his inhaler and nothing worked. I also gave him
a dose of Azithromyicin. He would eat for me, which I also thought ws
very interesting...however he could not move and was really lifeless.
Would even potty right where he laid. I thought it was the end and I
stayed close and comforted him.
He was with me this morning. I was shocked. I began his routine..
(sugar check, carafate, prednisilone, lassix,, essiac etc.). I gave
his carafate on on the 10 minute wait before eating I called his vet at
home. As I was ont he phone, my ferret who could not walk, was now
getting himself out of his bed to go to the potty. Then breathing
improved, as did activity, and he even ate his soaked kibble with baby
food.
I really dont udnerstand??? As the day goes on, he seems to be getting
bad again, but not sure yet.
Any ideas? The only other thing to mention...... is that last week I
got this odd fly infestation (as did my nieghbor) and these flies were
not normal, but like sickly. Very easy to catch (would just fall over
on their sides). My nieghbor did spray raid but Guille was not over
her house at all.
orry so long. I am so perplexed, I wanted to give all details.
Judy and Guille
Metroferret NJ
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