From:
Kym Barone
Date: 2002-06-14 18:33:00 UTC
Subject: [Ferret-Health-list] New Member, Insulinoma.
Hi Jen,
Hmmmm. I'd expect to have seen improvement rather quickly - my
insulinoma ferrets usually improved very visibly within 24-48
hours of being on pred.
Things that concerned me from your post - .2 ccs twice a day
is a low dose - you didn't mention how big she is, but even in
the tiniest of girls I almost always started on .5ccs twice a
day if the blood glucose level was low enough to cause the
symptoms that Lydia is showing. I urge you to speak to your
vet right away to see if you can up that pred level starting
with tonight's dose (I am NOT a vet, please don't just do it
without talking to your vet!)
I was also concerned to read that you're giving her the
Nutri-Cal and raisins. Big, big no-nos for ferrets with
insulinoma! That alone could be your problem - you're giving
the pred, but the Nutri-Cal and raisins are counter-acting the
benefits of the drug. It is VERY hard to stop giving your
fuzzies their favorite treats, espeically when they're not
feeling well, but you really must. Instead, try cheerios or
Kix cereal as a treat - they're good ones for insulinoma
ferrets. Ferretone is okay too, but NOT a lot as it too can
break down into forms of sugar. But it's better than
Nutri-Cal.
You also need to supplement with some high-protein food. If
you're already feeding a high-protein food (Totally Ferret,
etc.) and she's just not eating, then try some duck soup
recipies or at the very least baby food to build up her
strength. The key with insulinoma ferrets is very little sugar
and lots of protein.
Talk to your vet, and if he/she agrees, up the pred and
immediately stop the sugary treats and start getting some high
protein into her, and I'd expect to see improvement rather
quickly. I wish you all of the luck in the world with
Lydia!!!!!
Kym
Ferret Mommy to 20
L'il Grunt, Kerplunk, Mookie, Mikayla, Marty, Tanglefoot,
Tumbleweed, Corky, Tequila Sunrise, Squirt, Piggly Wiggly,
Trouble Too, Muse, Patchwork Princess, Boo, Homer, Connie,
Bonnie, Sallie, and Tangerine Twist
Meet the kids: http://www.ferretmommy.com
-----Original Message-----
From: Batine DeWinter [mailto:vazdru@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Friday, June 14, 2002 5:00 PM
To: ferret-health-list@yahoogroups.com
Hello all.
My name is Jen, and I've been a ferret mommy since 1997.
Last year I became
a baby's mommy too. I have 3 ferrets: Lydia, a sable female
going on 6 ,
Pandora, a teensy champagne going on 5, and Ziggy- a big 1
1/2 yr old male
sable.*lol* My oldest ferret, Lydia, has been slowing down
alot lately.Over
the weekend she began pawing at her mouth and throwing up
white foam. I
immediately got very worried and put her in the sick cage,
and she went to
our vet the next day. (A wonderful vet I might add,
wouldn't ever go
anyplace else!) After blood tests and a checkup, the verdict
is
Insulinoma.