From:
dr_bruce_williams
Date: 2002-01-20 21:28:00 UTC
Subject: Re: post insulinoma surgery questions
Dear Moxie:
SOrry that Chance is having some post-surigcal trouble. The
hyperglycemia that we see post-surgical is the result of prolonged
high levels of insulin. Beause the tumor is secreting so much
insulin, the other cells inthe pancreas (the islets) atrophy, as
their insulin is not needed. When the source of insulin (the tumor)
is removed, there is little insulin available to keep the glucose
down in the normal level.
In most cases, this is a transient finding.
I am not currently familiar with the use of glipizide in ferrets, and
most diabetic ferrets are put on insulin.
the manipulation and surgery on the pancreas can also cause local
infalmmation (pancreatitis). This can be a painful condition, and
would explain why he is not bouncing back. It is generally not
somehting that can be directly treated, but the pain medication is a
good thing to offer. Most cases of pancreatitis subside within a few
days.
With kindest regards,
bruce williams, DVM
--- In Ferret-Health-list@y..., Moxie <moxieent@t...> wrote:
> Hello-my 3 year old Chance had a nodule and less than 1/3 of his
> pancreas removed 1/17. I had to page my vet today and bring Chance
in
> as he was very uncomfortable and restless. His incision looks
good. My
> vet says it was invasive surgery and there is probably some
inflamation
> causing discomfort and some ferrets recover slower than others. He
> tested his blood sugar and it was very high, so high that it didn't
> register on his monitor. So, Chance is now diabetic and we are
waiting
> to see if it resolves itself, as some of you have told me that this
> often happens after this type of surgery. However, if it does not
and
> he needs to go on medication, we are researching this. He
mentioned a
> drug called Glipizide which he has used on cats as an oral non-
insulin
> drug. He has not tried it on ferrets. Are any of you familiar with
> this drug or have any recommendations as to what drug to use if the
> diabetes doesn't correct itself after Chance's system settles down?
> Chance is resting now after being given a non-steriod pain killer.
I
> was also advised to cut back the Clavamox to once daily as he is
having
> several small bowel movements after eating instead of one normal
one.
> He also gave me a special cat diet which he says will help with the
high
> glucose. I could also use some private email from ferret owners
whose
> ferrets had successful pancreas surgery and how long it took them to
> recover from it. Thanks to those who answered my questions prior
to the
> surgery. It was a great help.
> Regards,
> Moxie and Chance