From:
ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2001-10-28 04:00:00 UTC
Subject: Re: [Ferret-Health-list] Digest Number 446
In a message dated 10/28/01 7:46:06 AM Eastern Standard Time,
Ferret-Health-list@yahoogroups.com writes:
I'm not a vet. However, I have twice had insulin levels and
insulin/glucose ratios run on ferrets with "grey-zone" blood sugar
levels
to try to figure out if insulinoma was the culprit. In both
cases,
insulin levels and the ratio were in normal range, but the ferret
went on
to surgery, where insulinoma was found and successfully treated.
I wish I
was qualified to comment on *why* this is possible, but alas, I'm
not. Maybe someone else can explain it...
Insulin is released in spikes. The reason a ferrtet can have
insulinoma and still have a normal insulin level is because of that
- the blood was just drawn at a time when the insulin release was at
a low point.
Dr. Ruth
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