From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-05-30 19:44:31 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Demon ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20030530154431.7b4a7270.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi, Rachel, and everyone else.
> Luci appears to have insulinoma, but is doing well so long as I give
> her a sugary treat in the morning.
In early cases of insulinoma that provides short term relief but may
actually make things worse in the long run. Luci needs to see a vet to
confirm the insulinoma diagnosis and then will need either proper
medication (pediapred), or surgery. Don't get frightened by the "s"
word. My Ker Avon is almost exactly one year after surgery with no
symptoms, no meds, and no problems. He's five. My Podo is at almost a
year past surgery and just started on a tiny dosage of pediapred. He's
had no outward symptoms at all. I fully expect Podo to celebrate his
ninth birthday. I wish I knew exactly when that will be, but it's
probably this summer if it hasn't happened already.
> Toby is not going to live much longer.
Why not?
> He eats well and drinks plenty of water, but does not
> want to play anymore. He is six years old and just wants to sleep.
> His hind feet are also not functioning most of the time. He has a
> hard time walking on slick surfaces. It is so strange.
No, it isn't strange at all. Those are classic insulinoma symptoms.
Six is NOT OLD. By all means get Toby to a vet and you may find that
you have him for several more good, happy, healthy years. DO NOT GIVE
UP ON TOBY, PLEASE! Worst case, he'll have insulinoma surgery. It was
a new lease on life for my Podo and Kodo, and both were around eight
when they had their surgeries. It could be something else, too. Toby
needs to see an experienced ferret vet.
> I took him to
> the vet and she wanted to take x-rays of him, because she didn't know
> what was wrong with him. I haven't had him x-rayed yet. I love this
> ferret, but I spend so much money on vet bills,
First, if she didn't even think of insulinoma I wonder how experienced
she is with ferrets. Have her check bllod glucose. Oh, and yes,
ferrets are expensive. Much more so than dogs and cats. They're your
babies, right? You love them, right? $1,000 for a major medical issue
once in a ferret's life is very typical of the medical care most of them
need. If paying for surgery is too much at once many vets will work out
a payment plan. Toby is middle aged. Don't you want him to live to be
a nice, old ferret?
> Anyway,
> I'm thinking about putting him to sleep, because he looks so unhappy.
Good grief, NO! You haven't even had him properly checked by a vet yet.
Look, if you don't want to pay for proper vet care I'm sure there are
people on this list (myself included) who would gladly adopt him and see
he gets the care he needs.
Sincerely,
Caity and the non-stop nine