From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-03-03 19:51:45 UTC
Subject: RE: Pred and Insolinoma and longevity
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <5627907.1109879505650.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Becca, you'll want to get a copy of
Weiss CA, Williams BH, Scott MV.
Insulinoma in the ferret: clinical findings and treatment comparison of 66 cases.
J Am Anim Hosp Assoc. 1998 Nov-Dec;34(6):471-5.
In
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=SG2550
Dr. Bruce Williams says:
START QUOTE
> In a study I did with Charlie Weiss years ago, we measure success rate of the various surgeries based on how >long the animal remained symptom- or disease free, as well as ultimate survival after surgery. The three groups >were medical treatment only, removal of pancreatic masses only, and partial pancreatectomy. The mean disease->free intervals for each group were 22, 234, and 365 days, respectively. The mean survival times for each group >were 186, 456, and 668 days, respectively.
END QUOTE
Dr. Bruce Williams also mentions in
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org/browse.php?msg=YG8153
START QUOTE
>Here is the way that I usually approach this issue. Yes, 40% of
>insulinomas recur in about 10 months or so. However that leaves
>about a 60% cure rate.
>Now if we assume that one month in a ferret's life equals about one
> year in a human's life, let's make an analogy with you (nothing like
>getting personal). If someone told you that you had a tumor, and
>removing it surgically would ensure you a minimum of six years tumor-
>free life, more likely ten years, and there would be a 60% chance
>that you would never be bothered by it again, what would YOU do?
>Additionally, when combined with partial pancreatectomy, the average
>t>with Charlie Weiss years ago in JAAHA.)
END QUOTE
Of course, that is only the case if the insulinoma is found early enough and can be fully removed. Often signs don't show up early enough, and some vets don't do well with microscopic surgery or don't feel well enough for the really, really sand like insulinomae to pop out. At times, too, insulinoma may occur in a non-removable area of the pancreas.
Also, remember that the disease can vary quite a bit among individuals. People like Mike and some others have had some ferrets go for years on medical treatment because everything just pulled together right and the people read up and provided very careful nursing.
I think it is Caity who has had one who would not have done as well without that kind of home nursing because that particular ferret happened to do better with Dex. Also, I think it is Caity or Katherine, or Regina, or maybe some combo of those three who have had ferrets who did well with sequential insulinoma surgeries, or with insulinoma surgery after meds had been used. It will pay to check the archives at
http://fhl.sonic-weasel.org for that info.