>From:    Joy Kerin <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Minnie's illness by concerned grandmother
>Joy says: As she was being weaned off the predisone afte the operation, we
>put her back on pediapred .3 twice a day.  If it is insulinoma, is .3 the
>correct dose for a ferret weighing a 1-1/2.  If her symptoms don't get
>better should the dose go up or down?  We have no access to a vet today.
 
Here's my totally non-medically trained, non-vet opinion... In other words,
always consult with your vet and don't necessarily listen to us on the FML
unless it's a vet responding.  It's Monday morning, call your vet.
 
With that said, if you're giving her genuine PediaPred (5mg per tsp, which
equates to 1mg/1ml), then it appears you're not giving the maximum dosage
for Minnie.  Note that there's also Prelone syrup, which my pharmacist
has substituted for Pediapred on occasion.  That comes in both a 5mg/5ml
version and a 15mg/5ml version (and perhaps others).  Of course, they would
(should) not substitute the 15mg/5ml version for Pediapred.
 
According to "Ferrets, Rabbits and Rodents - Clinical Medicine and Surgery"
the maximum effective dosage is 2mg/kg, twice a day.  Since you're only
giving her 0.3mg, twice a day, you have a ways to go, even though she's
somewhat less than a kilogram in weight.
 
How is Minnie eating?  If she's not eating heartily (and perhaps even if
she is) it wouldn't hurt to provide at least a couple of high protein
meals a day.  Chicken baby food is very high in protein (around 50%).
 
For the ferrets,
Mike
 
* Michael F. Janke, [log in to unmask]
* Secretary, South Florida Ferret Club & Rescue
* A 501(c)3 not-for-profit corporation
*
* Shelter web site:  http://www.miamiferret.org
* Adrenal/Insulinoma web site: http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc
[Posted in FML issue 2953]