From:
Karen Purcell, DVM
Date: 2001-03-04 14:34:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Question/advice on insulinoma
Amy,
>SNIP>
> About two years ago, I had a ferret with insulinoma go through surgery at the age of 7. XXXXXXX did the surgery. Eight months later he was dead -- just up and quit on us with no warning. But he was
>
> Now I find myself with Max, who will turn 7 in May, and has been crashing periodically for the last 6 weeks or so. The last couple of weeks have been bad -- if I don't give him his duck soup regular
>
> Here's the dilemma -- do I put him through surgery or not? Provided Dr. XXXXX gives the green light, do I do it? And exactly how do you vets determine who is a good surgical candidate? Who is a bad
>
> I don't want to make the wrong decision -- I want Max to have quality of life, no matter what I decide. I am torn -- any thoughts?
>
If he is a good surgery candidate, he will have a normal heart on
chest xrays, normal blood work (CBC and chemistry) and will have the
strength to survive. I have done surgery on ferrets Max's age, with
lovely results. However, given that insulinoma surgery is not a
cure, but only decreases the mass of the cancer, medical therapy is a
very valid option here. Hope this isn't too vague to help,
-Dr. Karen
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