Message Number: FHL13997 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2011-09-11 17:36:35 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] HELP! Furosemide dosing for early cardiomyopthy?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

Hi, everyone,

On 9/11/11, Katrina Ramsell <exoticpetvet@hotmail.com> wrote:
> 3 lb 14 oz = 1.76 kg ferret
>
> Furosemide dosage I use is usually 1-4 mg/kg (have had to go higher in very
> severe cases)
> For this ferret using this dosage range, the amounts would be the following:
> * Oral (10 mg/ml) - 0.18 ml - 0.7 ml by mouth (usually twice a day)

[...]

> * The amount of drug the ferret should receive should be calculated by the
> ferret's veterinarian. Animals can become extremely ill due to dehydration
> if too much furosemide is given and hydration is not maintained.

In Zephyr's case we've seen both problems: dehydration when she got
more than she could tolerate and breathing problems when she did not
get enough. She reacts very quickly to oral furosemide so an
emergency dosage restored her breathing within a few minutes. The
point, though, is to emphasize what Dr. Ramsell has posted about a
veterinarian needing to set the dosage. I would also be sure that you
can get back to the vet quickly if things go wrong.

Zephyr's dosage is actually well below the minimum numbers Dr. Ramsell
listed above: .13ml (5mg/ml concentration) twice a day. I should add
that Zephyr's is exquisitely sensitive to medications and all her
dosages are lower, sometimes much lower, than you might expect.

Every ferret is different. There is never any substitute for
qualified veterinary care.

All the best,
Caity - with Zephyr and Chin Soon


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