>Now for my question.  I too am on prednisone for extended time and my
>protocol that come with my prescription states extended use cause calcium
>to be leeched..therefore I am on medication to counteract this.  Does
>this also apply to ferrets?  Zoey has been on so long.  and will be until
>she dies.  Is calcium loss a problem for her therefore resulting in
>broken bones?  Prednisone apparently also leeches potassium.  Just
>wondering if I should be concerned about this for my lovey girl.  Of
>course us hoomans can eat bananas and take calcium supplements like I do.
 
Dear X -
 
Ferrets are generally considered to be steroid resistant, and osteoporosis
has really not been identified in ferrets on long-term prednisone.  This
is not to say that it does not occur, but it has not been identified as a
problem.  To my knowledge, pathologic fractures have never been reported.
 
I don't think that you have too much to worry about here - actually keep
her playing - older sedentary ferrets have more problems with bone loss
from inactivity than from steroid use.
[Posted in FML issue 3439]