Message Number: YG13485 | New FHL Archives Search
From: mystie_47
Date: 2002-06-02 21:33:00 UTC
Subject: insulinoma

This is my first experience with a message board as well as with a
sick ferret. Elliot has been such a sweetie, but yesterday he started
acting so unferret like. I found him laying on the floor and barely
breathing. Thought it was the heat and gave him a tepid bath, which
seemed to revive him for a while. However, I repeatedly found him
laying on the floor or staggering with dazed look on his face. I took
him to an emergency vet today, who did lab work and x-rays. She
suspected insulinoma. His blood sugar was 72, which was taken about
15 minutes after eating 6 raisins, which she thought indicated
insulinoma. She explained the options to me. Then she showed me the x-
rays and pointed a very large mass that is pushing his intestines to
one side. She said if it is insulinoma, it is largest one she has
ever seen. Also, his WBC is very low, but she offered no explaination
for this as she going to consult with another vet tomorrow morning
regarding the x-ray and blood work. I guess my question is, how far
does one go with a 7 year old ferret? He had surgery for skin cancer
last summer and recovered extremely well, but as much as I hate to
say this, if it is insulinoma, do I think about the quality of life
vs putting him through surgery for this at his age? I am absolutely
sick over this because Elliot is the sweetest and most loveable pet I
have ever owned. I guess all ferret owners know what I mean. I need
to know what others know about this and what they might do if they
were in the same situation. Thank you for any information you may be
able give me.