Message Number: YG12228 | New FHL Archives SearchFrom: smly_21
Date: Wed Apr 3, 2002 0:46pm
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
Send comments to Pam at pjdutche@email.unc.edu. Please note that this address is only useful for questions about the FHL archive. Questions about ferret health, or those intended for the FHL, should be sent to the Ferret Health List.