Message Number: SG5332 | New FHL Archives Search
From: brandi.bassingerjakob@us.army.mil
Date: 2003-07-12 20:29:08 UTC
Subject: Post insulinoma sx--Needs another?-HELP
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <6322417.1058041748010.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>

This is my second ferret diagnosed with insulinoma. He underwent surgery last week and was doing well until last night. His glucose levels were anywhere from 90-130 until last night when he woke up and became very nauseous. I finally got him to calm down and was able to check his glucose. It dropped from 108 to 65 in only two hours, and he even ate between that time. His appetite is fine, sometimes he nibbles every 2 hours.

I called my vet and she seems to think that we may need to start pred therapy. So, on her advice we began pred at a dose of 1/8th of a 5 mg tablet twice daily.

His glucose levels were great all day today, until about 9pm this evening, they had dropped again to 65.

How long should I give his body to get used to and regulate on the pred dosage, or should I increase the dose?

Secondly, we are still waiting on path results because subsequent nodules were also found on his liver and spleen. When, if ever, do you decide that not all of the tumor was removed and it may be time to go back in for round 2 of surgery?

Thanks!
Brandi