Does prednisone damage the kidneys in a ferret being treated for insolinoma. I have had one vet say yes and another say no. I am very confused. My Wolf is on 1/2 tab of 5 mg tab in the AM and 1/4 tab in the PM. He gets .1 ML of Diazoxide 2x daily as well as 4 chicken gravy type supplemented meals a day. He was on 1/4 tab prednisone 2x daily for a few months. He had all kinds of tests, ultrasound, etc. and his kidney values were a bit low as well as white cell count a bit higher than normal. His ultrasound was normal except for cyst on one kidney and nodule on pancreas. An aspiration on lymph node in neck was done because one set of nodes were slightly up and he has been on Cefadrops in case of an infection. Aspirate came back with no results due to not enough cells to determine whether or not lymphocites were present. Wolf is scheduled for surgery on Wednesday and I am getting scared. What if he has lympho? If he does, will it kill him quicker? I am at a loss as to what to do. He is perky but not playful whatsoever. We had questioned his heart though it sounds ok and looks ok on xray. Should I ultrasound his heart Wednesday while the ultrasound cardiologist is there first? Should I have another aspirate done first? These are my thoughts on what I really should do first, even though money is tight right now as it is for many. My ferrets lives comes first and all these questions are going through my mind right now. I am seeing my vet tomorrow to bring in my other almost 9 year old, "Winter" (to have a tooth checked and kidney values checked) and will discuss these questions and concerns with her. I just do not want to risk losing him. If anyone knows whether or not prednisone damages the kidneys long term/short term in high doses or low doses, please let me know. Thank you. My sincere condolences to those of you who have lost your ferrets recently or in the past. My heart goes out to you. Eleanor [Posted in FML issue 4634]