From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2001-10-27 04:06:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Update on insulinoma surgery
On Fri, 26 Oct 2001, Steve Austin wrote:
> I posted about Tom having insulinoma diagnosed on Monday, and he had
> surgery on Thursday, There were two nodules on the pancreas, and
> something on the adrenal gland, one of the nodules was quite large.
Was the adrenal removed too, in addition to the pancreas surgery? I've
only take care of three surgeries with both adrenal and insulinoma
addressed at the same time, but in two cases, it was a rougher recovery
than we've typically seen with just insulinoma surgeries (we've had lots
of those in this house and they generally do want to sip at chicken gravy
the same night).
> He is not up to par, seems very sore, with bruising all around the
> suture area, and is not eating. I am hand feeding some chicken gravy,
> but he clenches his mouth shut, he is drinking and did pee o.k.,
It's good that he's drinking on his own, that's a really good sign.
You're only a couple of days out from surgery, so it's OK that he's still
pretty low. He may not get his sparkle back in his eye for 4-5 days or so
after surgery, although he should start to feel gradually better pretty
soon here...
> checked his blood sugar this am and it was 228, so I guess the surgery
> worked so far, How long does the glucose stay elevated?
You're right, it's actually *good* sign that his glucose is high. My guys
usually have a high glucose for about a week or so. 228 isn't dangerously
high, really, although he may be spilling some sugar into his urine at
that level.
> Should I force him to eat? and How often should I check his sugar,
> hate to annoy him if it won't make much difference either way- since I
> know at least for now it isn't too low.
He probably should be forced to eat small amounts of his chicken gravy or
baby food every 4-6 hours or so. If he keeps fighting you with clenched
teeth, it may not hurt to add carafate before the feedings, especially if
he starts having any signs of black/tarry poop or begins grinding his
teeth. There is at least one really good ferret vet who routinely put
ferrets on carafate after major surgery so that an "ulcer patch" is place
at the first sign of gastric ulceration. I'd check his blood sugar again
in 5-7 days, unless he isn't improving by Sunday, and then I'd do it
Sunday or Monday.
I'm definitely not a vet.
Keep us posted, sending good healing thoughts,
-Pam S.