From:
toucanvet@aol.com
Date: 2001-11-17 00:23:00 UTC
Subject: Re:Diabetes-insumoma Digest Number 476
Pam,
I have a few thoughts:
I have treated 3 that i can remember Diabetic ferrets in the last 2
years.
In my experience when the DM (diabetes Mellitus) happens after
Insulinoma - especially long-standing insulinoma it is a result of
pancreatic exhaustion - it has run out of cells to produce insulin.
(i'm not sure this totally makes sense or not physiologically but i
like the idea so i;m sticking with it for now)
ALSO there is very likely risk that the tumor has metastasized
(moved) to the liver and is making the liver ineffective in glucose
regulation.
OR there may be a primary cancer in the liver or other organs
(lymphomasarcoma)
BUT Lymphoma cannot be diagnosed by physical exam ! There must be a
biopsy of some type to have a diagnosis - high rate of suspicion may
occur based on physical exam findings, historical information and
signalment. Most oncologists will not even treat cancer unless they
have 2 separate biopsy from separate organs. (ie a liver and a
lymphnode, ect)
As for treatment of DM:
here are a couple of things:
THE PUBLISHED DOSE FOR INSULIN IN MOST REFERENCES IS A TYPO THAT
CARRIED OVER FROM THE FIRST ED OF QUESENBERRY / PINK BOOK !!!!!
i KNOW THAT FROM EXPERIENCE AND MORE IMPORTANTLY I heard it from the
horses mouth !! ( not that Dr. Q is a horse !!)
IT SHOULD BE: 1 unit / kg NOT 0.1 U / KG
also you might have your vet get a hold of some PZI insulin. It
works better in cats because it mimics the shape of their insulin
better than human does. I;m not sure about the shape of ferret
insulin - someone ought to call dr. fox and ask him?
Since ferrets are more obligate carnivores i think their insulin
might work more like cats.
I have had GLIPAZIDE work in a couple of ferrets.
I have had 3 ferrets spontaneously recover from their DM - just as
quickly
as it occurred they went back to being insulinomic.
I had one case that occurred because a ferret had been given treat
ECE - a human oral replacement electrolyte solution for children.
(i just cant remember name I'm not trying to obtuse i do that enough
as it is. )
Hope this helps.
--ben
Benjamin A. Otten, DVM
Practice Limited to Avian
and Exotic Pets
"There is a fountain that is not
built by the hands of man"