From:
"kazpat1@juno.com"
Date: 2005-02-01 04:01:46 UTC
Subject: Weight gain after illness getting out of control
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-Id: <20050131.200155.4475.52107@webmail22.lax.untd.com>
I am not a vet, what I know from humnas :
Humans get type 2 diabetes with time and being overweight, and some hereditary factors. This is insulin resistance, the pancreas makes insulin but the cells stop recognizing it.
Type 1 diabetes is from failure to make insulin, and requires insulin injections daily. This is most common in juvenile diabetes. Not related to weight or family history.
I don't think there is real harm from having an overweight ferret for a few months. Maybe for a long time , it will take it's toll, but seeing they only live a few years, and not 80 some years like humans- it probably is not enough time to have those long term effects like type 2 diabetes.
True obesity in ferrets is unusal, they are just too active for that and they usually dont' over eat.
However, if you happen to have one that is eating too much and not active, the treatment would be to start making the ferret get some exercise, and work a little for his/her meal. Plus rule out any medical causes- if the weight gain is unusal or unexplained.
A lot of times prednisone will cause weight gain, and adrenal gland disease will cause a fat gain in abdominal area, plus some muscle wasting in the rear-this results in a belly that hangs down.
Don't forget, in the winter they may pork up a bit, just to slim down and get more active in the spring. This is usually ok, especially if you notice it cycling each year the same.
For exercise, the ferret needs to be able to run around, so even if in one room- make ramps and have the ferret climb up for a treat, hide food in bowls around the room so has to search for it and learns to find it. Chase a cat toy, play a game where the ferret runs and jumps and chases a towel pulled around the room, get creative.
Take out for walks on a leash, have the ferret go up and down steps- usually they will be happy to follow you around to do this, or to explore. If your ferret has a medical problem, like insulinoma or weakness of the hind legs, you just want to check with your vet what is safe.
Patty
-- autumn_whispers2me <autumn_whispers2me@yahoo.com> wrote:
I assume ferrets can end up with diabetes if they're overweight, much like what
happens to humans??