From:
Pam Sessoms
Date: 2003-04-08 21:03:01 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Diabetes and insulinoma
To: TR1212@aol.com
cc: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <Pine.A41.4.44+UNC.0304081638330.52164-100000@login7.isis.unc.edu>
> I need your input again. I have a little guy with insulinoma, adrenal,
> 3rd degree AV heartblock and bad teeth. Now I have one with diabetes!
Tiffany, sorry to hear about the latest. Just to clarify, was the
diabetic ferret formerly known to have insulinoma? And if so, was she on
medications for it?
I've had - let's see - 4 ferrets with insulinoma become diabetic while
getting medications (pred or the combination of pred and diazoxide).
(yes, it's a special talent in my house...). However, none of them have
had to go on insulin. In each case, the diabetes has resolved simply by
cutting the meds back and providing supportive care like sq fluids and
handfeeding. In 2 of the 4 cases, to get the blood sugar to normalize,
the meds were decrased and then completely stopped, and in the other 2,
the doses were cut in half. In 3 cases, the insulinoma did gain control
again later and meds had to be increased again. The 4th was euthanized
because of suffering from other terminal conditions before it had a chance
to come back, but she went with normal blood sugar....
Other people have had ferrets in the same situation that did indeed need
to go on insulin and were maintained that way.
Very occasionally, one hears of a ferret whose diabetes is controlled as
if by magic using Lupron. There is a post in the archives by Dr. Murray
that mentions a possibility of insulin resistance resulting from the
minority of diseased ferret adrenals that produce cortisol. It's here:
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG2385
If she became diabetic *without* being on meds formerly, then you're in
territory I haven't experienced yet... I understand that ferrets
presenting with diabetes spontaneously can be difficult to regulate. But
you're right that some people have maintained them well on insulin.
I recall that when my vet was contemplating putting my first
insulinoma/diabetes ferret on insulin, she did some research and found
that it can be a good idea to try to regulate diabetic ferrets a little
bit high. Like, aim for blood sugars around 200. This was because it's
easy to bottom them out on insulin, and then there is a real problem.
Your girl has REALLY been up and down, so I'm sure you and your vet are
already trying to figure out what's best for her...
Anyway, keep us posted. This might be a case where using a glucometer at
home to test the blood sugar can be a help, if you're not already doing
that. There are also strips you can get at drug stores that will let you
test the urine for sugar and ketones - they're called Keto-Diastix.
THere is more in the archives... http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/
Best wishes,
-Pam S.