Message Number: SG13225 | New FHL Archives Search
From: mkoronias@netscape.net
Date: 2005-03-24 13:54:19 UTC
Subject: RE: Need Advice...Surgery or not?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <18346782.1111683675281.JavaMail.nobody@vanadium.smartgroups.com>

At 5 years old, I would opt for surgery on multiple problems. While surgery may not
completely cure the insulinoma it generally buys them a year or more symptom free
(see http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/treatment.htm ) per the vet and the studies he
has done. Surgery is also the only chance you have at curing adrenal (versus
keeping the symptoms under control with Lupron and/or Melatonin). If Bailey only
had issues with Adrenal or Insulinoma then I might consider trying to treat with
medication and not do surgery. However, since he has two things which can both be
cured if not helped greatly with surgery, then I think that is your best course (of
course the usual disclaimers stand - I'm not a vet).
Moscha

Author wrote:
> Hi, I have a ferret named Bailey. He is 5 1/2 years old and has been ill recently.
After getting some testing done, my vet thinks he may have adrenal problems (some
fur loss, weight loss, etc. and also possible Insulinoma (48 blood sugar level). He
would like to do exploratory surgery soon. I know that removing the left adrenal