From:
smly_21
Date: 2002-04-03 12:46:00 UTC
Subject: Insulinoma, need vets help!!!
I just found out on Monday that my little fuzzie has insulinoma. I
need advice on what I can do. It seems that surgery would be the
best thing acording to all the web sites I have looked at but, I do
not know if it is the best thing for my fuzzie.
The vet here doesn't seem to know that much about ferrets. Bandit
has had a blood test done and that is what let the vet know that he
has insulinoma. The vet said surgery or pred., but would prefer
surgery. I am wondering if Bandit can live a happy life without
having to go through the surgery. I have read that Pred. has bad
side affects on ferrets and that it causes them to be lathargic.
That is not how I my fuzzie to live the rest of his days.
I am at a loss on what to do. I am trying to better understand
insulinoma and explore all the options.
Here how bandit acts currently on a bad day. He will drool and paw
at his mouth. While pawing at the mouth he will open his jaw and
tilt his head down with a very rigided movement. While he is doing
this sometimes he will squeak or make some kind of noise and other
times he will not. This last at a min of 10mins to a max of 30min
and will happen from 1 to 4 time in that day. This occurs anytime he
goes outside, gets excited, or sometimes right after he wakes up.
This only happens once every 4 days at a min.. There have been only
a few occasions where it has lasted from one day into the next.
I am feeding him Purina Kitten Chow, 7lbs, mixed with 5lbs of Ultra
Blend Ferret Food. He eat regularly and has not lost too much
weight, maybe only a quarter of a pound. The only treats he recives
are the Bandit Treats by Marshall, and occasionaly a Peanut Butter
treat(those have not been given since we found out about the
insulinoma).
Any help would be appreciated. Thank you for your time.
Terry and Bandit