From:
CandiceBush@aol.com
Date: 2001-10-26 23:44:00 UTC
Subject: Re:Brutus/Diabetes/Insulin resistance
>>>>>>>Candice,
Do you know if ferrets develop problems with the pork insulin. I ask, because
I had my dogs (who have chronic pancreatites) on a pork derived additive to
aid digestion and it caused an ulcer in one of them. Research indicated that
dogs often develop allergic reactions to pork-based products (not food). Any
ideas if the same holds true for ferrets? Sundance is not responding to the
Humilin NPH - last night his sugar was up around 750!
Thanks for all your archive info on diabetes, I really have to learn how to
use this wonderful sight!! And thanks so much for your help - I don't feel so
alone!<<<<<<
Cay, It was suggested to me that some ferrets do better on pork insulin if
they are resistant to Humalin. It hasn't seemed to make a difference in
Brutus. He is up to 5.5 units of pork NPH ilentin twice daily. It has only
been 10 days on insulin so far though, so we are still hoping this is a
transient problem. I have no info on allergic reactions to insulin types.
If you decide to try pork or beef based insulin, you may have to order
directly from Eli Lilly or have your pharmacy order it. Rite Aid had it in
their warehouse, so I got it within 24 hours.
When are you testing glucose in relation to the last dose of insulin?
Glucose level will probably be highest just before the next dose. The trick
is to make sure the glucose doesn't get dangerously low when the insulin is
at it's peak action. In Brutus the pork NPH seems to peak at somewhere
between 3 and 5 hours after a dose. Be very sure to wash the puncture site
well before sampling...I found a 150 dl/mg difference before and after
washing!
Hang in there.
cb