From:
"pigleeownee"
Date: 2012-02-02 13:55:50 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Cytoxan
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi Stephanie.
I have two girls on cytoxan.
We tried the pred first on both girls and it did not stall the lymphoma but for maybe 1 month.
Emmy (2.6 pounds)Already on a high dose of pred for insulinoma received 1/2 tab of 25mg cytoxan with her first dose. She had this crushed and sprinkled in her food.
We reduced her to 1/4th tab due to her WBC and Monocytes being to low on her blood work. She showed a couple days of lethargy and hesitance in eating her soup. 12 hours after antibiotic resolved her lethargy and appetite issues. I have not seen side effects other than a bit more sleep since we reduced her to 1/4th tab. Emmy has had about 3-4 rounds of cytoxan.
Last appointment she did not have all her lymph nodes shrunk. Everything but her peripheral neck nodes had receeded. We need to wait for her blood count to show higher values if we do anymore doses of the cytoxan-her values are so low we will need to wait months if we were to use cytoxan again. For now she is happy and doing well. Emmy also has insulinoma and adrenal disease. She has the suprelorin implant. Emmy has done better than she has in months while on cytoxan. It has given her quality time with us. Emmy was advanced with her nodes all enlarged and an enlarged tonsil as well before she began treatment. She is more spunky during treatment and now then a couple months before treatment. Now my vet did say he treated a ferret with abdominal lymphoma with the same med and that ferret is going strong for over 2 years.
Daisy (1.8 pounds) who is on pred also just started cytoxan 1/4th tab of the 25mg pill. Last week. So far NO visible side effects. Her WBC and monocytes were low so we did need to put her on an antibiotic to keep her from infection. She will return in 2 weeks for another blood check and then another cytoxan round.
My girls are both 6, have both had adrenal surgeries and again, Emmy has insulinoma as well. I have not regretted the use of cytoxan. The drug itself given in pill form is very inexpensive. 12.00 of pills lasted me for both girls so far. The expensive part is the blood draws and vet visit fees.
I liked the fact the girls got cytoxan through a pill. Less pokes of a needle. If you would like to contact me I can give you my vet info *if* your vet would like to discuss anything with my vet. I only mention this if your vet has not gone this route with ferrets yet and may want to pick another vet's noggin' who has experience with this drug. I know he mentioned once a month. Maybe he is talking about the injectible form?
Below I tried to answer some of your questions directly but feel free to email me if you have more questions.
> What can I expect in terms of nausea or days of not feeling well from the med? As far as nausea we had not seen any except a couple days Emmy did not have her appetite during the first round. She had to be coaxed to eat her soup. She still ate though.
> Is it something he will take once a month for the rest of his life?
No, the WBC and Monocytes take a hit so you are only able to do as many rounds as their blood counts allow. There is a hope when everything shrinks that they will go into remission and the need for cytoxan will stop.
> How often should I do a CBC panel with him on this med?
We do the CBC 7-10 days after the cytoxan is given. I prefer 7 days so if their counts are real low we can get them on an antibiotic before they are at risk of an infection and side effects. We also do a CBC before we start the next dose if the previous CBC showed very low results. So 1 CBC to check one week after. Then another one a week after that before giving the next dose. I always give them a spoon of baby turkey gerber after their blood is taken as a reward so when we go to the vet they are more excited about the upcoming treat than nervous about the blood draw.
> How does the med affect the adrenal and insulinoma?
Emmy had shown less insulinoma symptoms while on cytoxan. Her implant is still working to supress her adrenal symptoms.
I am at the vet once a week for the past cuple months-but it has been worth it.
Hope this helps! Good luck to you.
Diane
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