From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2001-06-12 18:53:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] insulin therapy for diabetic
ferret
Hi Jean,
This is indeed one of those frustrating cases.
I would stop the pred all together and run fluids
to help rehydrate Scoots and to lower his glucose
level. As for how much insulin and what type of insulin
to use, I use the same guidelines that are used for cats.
I start with Ultralente insulin (0.2 Units) per ferret then adjust
the amount based on the blood glucose levels. Some use NPH
insulin starting at 0.1 units per ferret. These cases are
frustrating
because it is hard to get the glucose level back into the normal
range.
One theory as to why these insulinomas ferrets become diabetics is
that the tumor is actually a glucagonoma. Again this is a theory
that
has not been proven, but it does seem logical. Fortunately these
cases are rare, but they do happen sometimes. Also this is a case
that brewers yeast may help.
Good Luck with this one,
Jerry Murray, DVM