From:
Bruce Williams, DVM
Date: 2001-10-10 12:31:00 UTC
Subject: new rescue, please help, sudden problem
Dear Bill:
Although you don't mention (and probably don't rprecisely
know) Otte's age - the symptoms are so suggestive of
insulinoma that I would recommend a vet visit tomorrow and
full bloodwork. Seizures are not life-threatening unless they
become frequent or prolonged. Two in one day is too frequent
to put off definitive diagnosis.
With kindest regards,
Bruce Williams, dVM
----- Original Message -----
From: Bill Boineau
To: Ferret-Health-list-owner@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Wednesday, October 10, 2001 2:15 AM
You might remember me from months ago regarding Oliver who
was anemic and had renal problems. Anyways, I rescued 2 male
ferrets 2 days ago from a third party, so-to-speak. I had
prior to these 2, 7 ferrets. I brought Otte and Garfield
home (new rescues) 2 days ago and all seemed fine. They both
immediately jumped around and seemed very happy and took to
my other ferrets great. The one thing I was concerned about
was Otte, as he seemed alittle shy i.e., if he was eating
when I walked in the room or another ferret sniffed him, he
would stop eating but nothing I was terribly worried about.
Tonight however I took Otte out from a sleep area tonight to
give some love and I noticed he seemed wobbley (?). I
watched him for several minutes and he seemed to get worse,
would attempt to walk and fall over, basically out of it,
dazed and maybe a possible seizure. Thinking this could be
insulinoma I tried nutri-cal, he hated that so I rubbed
alittle karo syrup on his gum, called me vet and continued
to watch. He did seem alittle better, gave him some a/d with
h20 via syringe and was definitely more alert, and after
putting him in a cage with his brother he ran around, peed
and ate and drank h20 for a good time. Feeling much better,
I continued to keep an eye only to see the same symptoms
hours later. Gave him alittle more karo, a/d with h20,
brewers yeast and alittle pred (I hope I did the right
thing). Sorry for the long post but I am so concerned as
this hit me out of the blue. Could this be insulinoma, he
seemed okay 2 days ago, but if its a new setting (better
than before), new food (he was on meow mix) and maybe not
the exact secure feeling as before, could this all of a
sudden crop up. My real concern, before I can get him to my
vet, what do I do to not make the situation worse, feed a/d
etc often. Please help, Dee and her 9 special kids.