From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2004-08-29 18:10:32 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] RE: Throat/seizure/drooling?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <13884241.1093805350092.JavaMail.nobody@strontium.smartgroups.com>
--- annamfuller_@hotmail.com wrote:
> I brought Wish in to see the vet. They did blood
> work and found out he does have insulinoma. I have
> him on meds now. Doubt i'll operate as he is almost
> 6 and i'd like to see how the meds work before i put
> him through anything.
Hi, Anna, and everyone else,
Our vet uses meds (pediapred) until a low or moderate
dosage doesn't work any more and then he opts for
surgery. Also, one of my ferrets (Ker Avon) didn't
respond well to pred and another (Podo) suffered
severe diarrhea as a reaction to prednisone. In cases
like this you may want to reconsider surgery.
FWIW, Kodo had insulinoma surgery at age seven and a
half and Podo had it at age eight. Both got
tremendous benefit from the surgery and both went on
to live for just about two years after surgery.
I think keeping surgery for the last option makes
sense for Wish. I just don't think his age is a huge
problem. Our Lady Ayeka turned six in May. She went
two years, seven months on pediapred and then finally
had surgery last Tuesday. She is her normal self:
the Energizer Bunny of weasels, with boundless energy
and desire for play. Our main problem now is keeping
her play limited so that she heals up properly.
As always, YMMV. We have a fantastic ferret vet with
34 years of experience.
All the best,
Caity and the fabulous four