From:
Ferrethealer@aol.com
Date: 2003-05-31 03:59:36 UTC
Subject: Re:Toby, etc.
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <77.11fc784a.2c0982a8@aol.com>
In a message dated 05/30/03 11:14:37 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
ferrethealth-digest-help@smartgroups.com writes:
> Toby is not going to live much longer. Within the past few months his
> health has dropped dramatically. 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. 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, with 3 ferrets, two dogs(one of which has had two shoulder
> surgeries) and a cat. Anyway, I'm thinking about putting him to sleep,
> because he looks so unhappy.
>
>
This sounds very suspicious of insulinoma to me and I would strongly
recommend that you get a second opinion before making any such drastic decisions. Six
is not all that old for a ferret and insulinoma is a pretty treatable
disease.
As far as the other two ferrets - I do not recommend giving sugary treats to
ferrets unless they are in end stage insulinoma and need the sugar for that
reason. It can do far more harm than good by causing a see-saw reaction and
making the blood sugar rise rapidly, then drop suddenly. The younger one needs
to have more time out and to be handled very gently and consistently - biters
can be taught not to, but yelling at him, confining him, etc, will only make
things worse.
Dr. Ruth
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Find it. Fix it. And fly again.