From:
Lccmtaylor@aol.com
Date: 2002-02-27 06:02:00 UTC
Subject: Re: diabetes in ferrets?
Hi Kelley,
My Sundance was diabetic and you're right, its hard to find information. I
don't know how the course of things evolved into his condition (what was
specifically diabeties)- which is still progressing - so I'm just going to
give it all to you:
March, 01 - Sundance, a really fat 5ish rescue, developed weird walk (my
husband said he swaggered like John Wayne). Suspected he had injured his
shoulder when his cagemate had mastermind an escape and even though he didn't
make any noise or seem to be uncomfortable when I manipulated the shoulder, I
brought him to the vet. (New vet now ex-vet) Vet said it was not an injury
and suggested Lymphomia. Did complete bloodwork and asperiated lymphnode at
neck. Bloodwork normal except for elevated (to high-normal) blood glucose.
"Lab Lost" sample and his response was so bad (didn't understand why I was
upset that he delayed telling me for a day - since it was "only a ferret") I
found new vet - who happens to be exotics expert. She reviewed bloodwork and
said didn't appear to be lymphoma and couldn't aspirate the lymphnodes
because they were not swollen - ferret was simply fat! Said she was slightly
concerned with elevated glucose, changed food to senior diet. Thought swagger
might be injury related. Also felt "something" and suspected we may "have
adrenal cooking"
Sept, 01- Sundance suddenly dropped weight, drank constantly and became
completely disinterested in his environment. Back to vets, blood glucose
500! Started insulin, had to constantly alter dose (sugar ranged from 250 -
700)- was receiving dose for 15 pound cat (sorry, I can't remember how many
units). Gained most weight back, but was definitely not himself, no interest
in the other ferrets or anything else. Things were pretty bad for about 2
1/2 months and my vet and I were discussing putting him down because his
quality of life was non-existent. Kept stalling because I couldn't bear it.
Then, one day, his sugar started leveling off, then he didn't need it
anymore. Gained weight, played with his buddies, took part in a jail break,
He's was back! Then he started lossing his hair.
He has now been on Lupron since December. Because of his age and general
health he is not a surgerical candidate but he is responding very well to the
Lupron. We are watching his sugar because the vet has only seen two diabetic
ferrets before, one died quickly of cancer, the other self-corrected and then
became insulomic. She said that from what she has been able to find out,
that is the direction these guys go in. She did say the other ferret had
responded immediately to the insulin, but Sundance never really did and only
came back to us after his blood leveled off on its own without insulin.
Hope this helps a little. You may contact me personally if you need to talk.
Just remember, these guys are tougher then they look, and don't give up too
early!
Cay