Message Number: SG14789 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2005-07-22 17:21:58 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Bailey is having seizures
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <20050722172158.43634.qmail@web30607.mail.mud.yahoo.com>

Hi, everyone,

I've had a ferret go three and a half years of good
quality life after diagnosis with insulinoma. That
assumes use of prednisolone (pediapred) and surgery at
some point. In one case (our Ker Avon) the surgery
was basically curative, meaning he never had symptoms
or needed medication again. In other cases the
surgery meant no meds for a while and then reduced
amounts of prednisolone with greater effect for a long
time. In each and every case something else got to
our ferrets in the end. I have yet to lose one to
insulinoma.

Prednisone or prednisolone is not the only option.
When that ceases to work by itself some ferrets will
benefit from diazoxide. Our vet always opted for
surgery before getting to that point or even getting
to more than a low dose of pred. In each and every
case surgery really did help but how much it helped
really did vary.

One thing for certain: just because you lost a ferret
fairly quickly to insulinoma before do NOT assume that
Bailey will suffer the same fate. You may have
several good years left with Bailey. Work with a good
ferret vet and see what can be done to help him.

All the best,
Caity and the fantastic five

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