Anyone experienced with Diazoxide?

[thylafritter]

Joby has recently been prescribed Diazoxide to help with his Insulinoma. It seems to really help up until about three hours before his next dose. He takes 50mg 2x a day.

Is it possible to do a smaller dosage of Diazoxide every 8 hours instead? Every medication we've ever had him on wears out of him if we do any longer. He's also currently on Prednisolone, 1mg every 8 hours.

I ask due to our Vet not being experienced in ferrets. The closest vet that does is in another state and I'm unable to go that distance due to disabilities.

Does anyone have any experience with it not lasting the 12hrs in their noodles too?

[thylafritter]

His vet has said that it's okay if he's lowered to 0.2mg every 8 hours but I want to be sure. I haven't seen any other information about ferrets being on an 8hr schedule with that one.

[Corvidophile]

It should be ok- worst you’ll see is it cumulatively raising his blood sugar, and that will be slow and easy to test for. The solution is also easy, just skip or give a lower dose on one of the 8 hour intervals every few days. I used diazoxide every 12 and it worked for me, but yours may have a faster metabolism. You can check blood sugar at home using the Alphatrak 2 on dog setting, but I was never successful at drawing enough blood consistently to do it, so I just kept taking to the vet every month to keep an eye on the blood sugar readings.

[thylafritter]

Thank you for the information, Corvid! You've been an amazing help with my questions the past couple weeks! I really appreciate it.

Has anyone else tried the 8hr method for Diazoxide on their furnoodles? Just want to get as much information on it as I can before trying it on Joby!

And anyone have some wisdom of checking blood sugar?
My boy isn't rowdy and lets me prick his toe but I can never get enough blood out to check it properly. Should I be doing it on front/back toes or paw pads??? I have no idea.
I have no issues with it not staying in place, I just can't get enough blood in a drop to check.

[msav]

try light coat petroleum jelly on the toe before lancing it. It will cause the blood to pool and not soak in.

It is still a challenge if they squirm after lancing and the blood rubs or slings elsewhere before you can get the strip in place.

[unclejoe]

It's much easier to have 2 people, one to scruff and one to lance/collect/read. Have the test strip in place in the meter and ready to go. The vaseline definitely helps. I forgot it a few times and the blood just got picked up by the fur. the test strip only needs a tiny drop of blood but it can't pick it out of fur, lol

[thylafritter]

Joby was euthanized June 18th. I'm sorry for the late update. I couldn't bring myself to get on anything for quite a while.

His tumor started to rapidly grow and swell the side of his belly. We were unable to keep him from crashing even 15 minutes after eating. He went peacefuly and we're working hard to keep his brother as happy and active as we're able to.

Thank you everyone for your kindness and advice through his late battle with Insulinoma. It means the world to me and I know it him live peacefully in his final days.

[unclejoe]

I'm sorry to read about Joby. As indestructable as they seem when playing, they're still sadly vulnerable to disease.
You did your best for Joby and I know you made each other happy. The sadddest part of being owned by ferrets is their short lives.

DIP Joby.

[Corvidophile]

I’m so sorry, rest in peace little guy.

[silentdook]

I'm so sorry. You gave him his best life and worked hard to give him all you could for his comfort.