From:
AFERRETVET@cs.com
Date: 2002-11-27 04:48:26 UTC
Subject: Re: Diabetes
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5a.14ae40e2.2b15a89a@cs.com>
Hi Angela,
Yes, your ferret has diabetes (blood glucose 611) and the ketones
in the urine means he has diabetic ketoacidosis. This can be a serious
and even a fatal problem. The "why does he have diabetes" is a great
question. According to Dr Jack Oliver (U of Tenn) ~8% of ferrets with
adrenal gland disease will have elevated cortisol levels, so that could
cause insulin resistance if his cortisol is elevated. However his lower
than normal insulin level suggest he is having problems making insulin.
Did he have an insulinoma before, or was he on pred before, or did he
have surgery on his pancreas before? We still do not know for sure
what is causing these somewhat rare cases of diabetes. I recently
had a chance to talk to an human internal specialist from the Mayo
Clinic in Minnesota about this very topic. She gave me a long list
of possibilities. Hopefully one of these days we will know more
about what is causing this problem. Lets hope a vet school starts
studying this to do all of the special testing required.
As for what to do now, it is time to start him on insulin, fluids (NACL),
antibiotics, and a high protein diet. I would suggest PZI insulin at 1 unit
per kg (2 Units for your big boy) twice a day, a high protein diet (no sugary
food or treats), SQ or IV fluids to correct dehydration, and a broad spectrum
antibiotic (Baytril, Clavamox drops). Chromium can also be added to
his diet.
Good Luck and Happy Thanksgiving,
Jerry Murray, DVM