From:
naturabella@stny.rr.com
Date: 2005-01-13 23:42:20 UTC
Subject: RE: help please - rapid weight loss!
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <7828639.1105659740849.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Have you tried chicken baby food. Try moistening her regular kibble, mashing it, and mixing it in with the baby food. Gerber chicken baby food is high in protein and fat without any carbs. My ferret has insulinoma and he loves it. It helps to keep his glucose stable and his weight up. Try feeding her small amounts every four hours. Put some baby food on her mouth so she licks it off, she might not like it at first but do not give up. Keep introducing it to her. My ferret did not like baby food at first but once I kept introducing it to him, he quickly learned to love it.
My ferret takes prednisolone,(Pediapred). It is the liquid form which is easily disguised in baby food.
My ferret had surgery for his insulinoma last May. He was 8.5 years old at the time. The surgery was successful, and his glucose has been stable ever since. It is definately an option, if your ferret is a surgical candidate.
Tara
Author wrote:
> Hi. My ferret Kuna is diagnosed insulinoma. In past 12 days her weight has dropped rapidly - from 765 grams to 690 grams - which is the lower weight she ever had. Her normal weight was 850 and for the past two monthes we were able to keep it stable on 750-770. She was put on medications on saturday - we started with 0,2mg/12 hours and I higher the amount on 0,5mg/12 hours two days ago, after consulting with my vet. She got Medrol - the active substanec is metilprednisone - should we change the meds? We were also discussing operation possibility, since she is ok othervise - we did a complete blood check and all values were normal, but now I don't think it would be a good idea to put her under anesthesia...
> As I said, 10 days ago, she strted to loosing weight rapidly - she looks like a skeleton at the moment. I am worried becuse she also refuses to eat. I have to hand feed her most of the time, but it doesn't help much. I try to make her as caloric meals as possible. I mix soaked and mashed kibble with mashed chicken/turkey mix, I also put egg and some olive oil in it...
> Any suggestions?
> thnx, Maja & Kuna