From:
- Z -
Date: 2001-11-18 19:38:00 UTC
Subject: How do you know when it's time SUMMARY and update
First of all, thanks to all those who wrote me about what to expect in late
stage insulinoma-- I think I wrote to each of you individually, but if I
missed anyone, please know how much I appreciate your willingness to write
about a painful topic. A couple of ferret owners asked me to share what I
learned, so I thought there might be others out there who would appreciate a
summary of what I learned from other ferret owners. And, of course, an
Amelia update :)
I'll start with the update first-- the vet was very happy with Amelia's
health, so much so that we're going to try to back down her dose of
pediapred. Her BG was actually in the mid-60s but that was after not eating
for probably at least 4 hours, a long time for an insulinoma ferret. It was
a very encouraging visit, and Amelia really does seem to be ahead of the
curve for her age and length of time with insulinoma. The vet felt that the
complaining noises that's I've been hearing were most likely due to Amelia's
big pred belly and spleen causing her some discomfort, and not a tremendous
amount of pain. A couple people who wrote to me noted that older ferrets
grumble more, just like older people, and that seems to be the case here.
Now the summary of the information I received--
As the disease progresses, seizures can start occuring even with medication.
The seizures look and sound awful-- the ferret jerks and screams-- but
according to many, including a human being who has also experienced this
kind of seizure, the ferret really does not feel anything during the seizure
and is basically unconscious. However it is very hard on the human
caretaker to see this happening :( After a seizure, one should administer
karo syrup, honey, or other quickly absorbed sugar source and once the
ferret is "with it" some high protein food like chicken baby food or duck
soup, and these measures will often pull a ferret around. There is however
always the possibility that a seizure can prove fatal.
In addition to the seizures, other organs are affected by the insulinoma,
usually the heart or the kidneys, and sometimes complications from these
organs can be fatal before the insulinoma itself is technically fatal.
In the end, judgement as to when it's time for euthanasia comes down to the
ferret itself. As long as the ferret has that spark of enjoyment and an
apparent will to live (i.e. eats willingly, even if you have to feed more to
make sure the ferret is eating enough, and is interested in life), then the
ferret's not ready to go and still considers itself to be living a quality
life. When the ferret is no longer interested in anything, that's the time
to let go. The sense I have gotten from people generally is that the
seizures, while terrible in appearance, do not immediately affect the
ferret's quality of life. If they reach a point where they are happening
very frequently that's one thing, but if they are not occuring frequently
enough to interfere with the ferret's quality of life, then the seizures
themselves are not a sign that it's time.
It's not very uplifting, is it. But the fact that the ferret is most likely
unaware of the seizures is somewhat comforting. Amelia hasn't reached that
point yet, but when/if she does, I'll try to remember that. I have had to
make a euthanasia decision in the past for a ferret with lymphoma, and with
him, as many people said was often the case, I _knew_ when it was time, he
pretty much told me he was ready to go. It seems like it may be a tougher
judgement call with insulinoma, but I think the important thing will be to
remember that the seizures aren't a sign that it's necessarily time.
Thanks again, ferret people really are the best,
Regina
Regina Harrison regina_z@h... or regina@c...
Gossamer into Spiderweb:
http://www.channel1.com/users/regina/~gossamer.html
So keep your candles burning
And make her journey bright and pure
That she will keep returning
Always and evermore
into my arms
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