From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2003-09-08 15:43:26 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] insulinoma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Cc: lvmyfrrts@sbcglobal.net
Message-Id: <20030908114326.1a3d398b.whiteweasel@earthlink.net>
Hi, Jacci, and everyone else,
> My little Jinx, aprox 2 1/2 yrs old, had part of her pancreas removed
> due to insulinoma, and for a time was off her pred.
That's normal after surgery until symptoms recur. Ker Avon has now gone
about a year and a half with no symptoms, normal blood glucose, and no
meds. Kodo only managed four months without meds, Podo managed 10. It
depends on how the disease progresses in each ferret.
> She is taking .5 of the pred twice daily,
Without the concentration and the measurement we can't know if this is a
high, low, or moderate dosage.
> and
> is fed A/D anytime she wants it, but I'm wondering if there is
> something else that can give her a little extra help.
What is her current blood glucose level? Have you had it checked? It's
possible her prednisone dosage isn't right, or it's also possible that
she just doesn't respone to prednisone. Our Pertwee, who was originally
given pred after his second adrenal surgery, is completely
non-responsive to it. If that's the case with your little girl you can
discuss proglycem/diazoxide with her vet.
If she were mine she'd definitely go back to the vet for a glucose check
and exam. It's also possible something else is going on so a check-up
is definitely in order.
>
> Well, even tho I'm not a
> vet I decided that I would try pred on him. Started him on that and
> the next day he was running down the hall! I have him on .2 twice a
> day, should I wean it down and see if he can forgo the med altogether?
You should get him to a vet to measure his blood glucose so that you can
properly determine if the pred dosage is correct or too high. Without
blood work you are guessing. I am *very* uncomfortable with medicating
a ferret without a vet being involved.
The other thing to consider is that he may be better served by having
insulinoma surgery if that is the problem. Our Ker Avon has been his
usual oh-so-playful self since surgery a year and a half ago with no
symptoms and no meds. Kodo and Podo had insulinoma surgeries, both
around age eight. Podo was practically rejuvenated by it, and he is
still more active than he had been in a very long time. While both need
pred again, both Kodo and Podo are doing much better than before their
surgeries last summer.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet, just a moderately
experienced ferret owner who has dealt with insulinoma.
All the best,
Caity and the non-stop nine