Message Number: SG3018 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-01-15 22:48:47 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Need help...Bandit is going down hill
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: Cjbandit@aol.com
Message-Id: <20030115174847.09ab6e93.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>

On Tue, 14 Jan 2003 09:15:37 EST
Cjbandit@aol.com wrote:

> Bandit is about six yr.
> old male, cataracts in both eyes, over weight [...], is having
> problems [...] his back legs slip. Could it be his weight or is it
> just a sign that his B/G is too low!!

Yes to both. I'd certainly visit the vet if he were mine and have his
glucose checked. Kodo (8 y/o male) has insulinoma and is overweight
and has problems with our floors. Sometimes he runs around just fine,
but other times he slips and slides and flops. He even did this a bit
when his blood glucose was 88, which is in the normal range. The
smaller ferts who have/had insulinoma didn't have problems unless their
blood glucose was through the floor. I think the combination is what
causes Kodo's problems.

The way we can tell if Kodo has low blood glucose is how he does on a
rug, or going to the litter pan, or if he's brave enough to jump. When
his back legs get really weak his blood glucose is too low. If he does
well on less challenging surfaces and is active he's probably fine.

The usual disclaimer applies: I'm not a vet, just a moderately
experienced ferret owner with a big bear of a ferret :)

All the best,
Caity and the notorious nine