Message Number: YG12244 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Bryan & Becky
Date: 2002-04-03 20:30:00 UTC
Subject: need advice regarding insulinoma surgery

Hi everyone,

I am new to this list and have a three year old ferret with
insulinoma. Molly's symptoms include hind-end weakness, head
bobbing, episodes of drooling during a sort of comatose state
and low (in some cases very low) blood/glucose levels. She is
currently on prednisone and diazoxide (temporarily to help
stabilize her BG levels). My vet is relatively new at
insulinoma and is in contact with Dr. Rosenthal and Dr. Ivy at
the University of Penn. regarding treatment for Molly. He
performed surgery on Molly a couple of weeks ago and removed a
small tumor and samples from her pancreas, one adrenal gland
and liver and sent them to the U of P for biopsy. The results
came back as "normal". After surgery she was doing quite well
for about three days, then the symptoms returned, the last
blood test that was done showed her BG level to be in the
teens.

I know that surgery is the best answer, but would like to hear
any advice on the subject because Dr. Ivy is recommending
removing no more than 20 percent of the pancreas because she
said that Molly could become diabetic if too much is taken.

Please email me directly at Bee4lee@worldnet.att.net because I
just subscribed to the list and want to make sure that I
receive everyone's advice.

Thank you,

Becky