From:
naturabella@stny.rr.com
Date: 2005-07-27 03:12:26 UTC
Subject: RE: Losing to Insulinoma...
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2622610.1122433946345.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Author wrote:
> Hey everyone,
> I need some serious advice. Regan (8 yrs) was recently diagnosed with insulinoma. She's been on .75 ml of pediapred for a month or two, and has recently stopped eating and drinking. She paws contantly at her mouth, and today she's started bleeding from the roof of her mouth!
> We went to the vet yesterday, (very experienced w/ ferrets) and he doesn't know what to do. I recieved some stomach relief for Regan (liquid Pepcid), and the pill form of Pediapred since the liquid hurts her tummy.
> Since yesterday, Regan's gotten much worse and won't even let me force feed her her baby food, hill's a/d etc. I can't watch her hurt herself. I'm so frustrated. I want to feed her, but she will not let me. It's like she's given up. I need help, and I feel like my vet has given up too. What should I do?
> Heather
Hi Heather,
Have you tried using carafate(Sucralfate) for your little one's stomach discomfort? It seemed to work well with my ferret who has stomach problems. You give it to them aboout 15 minutes before they eat and it will coat the gi tract.
Are you giving the pediapred with food, because this will help prevent discomfort from the pred.
So is the pediapred working for the insulinoma? Is it keeping her sugar up? My ferret was diagnosed with insulinoma and he did not respond well to the pred, so he had surgery to take out part of his pancreas. (He was 8 and 1/2 years old at the time of surgery and he did well) We were then able to control his blood sugar with just a tiny dose of pred.
My ferret stoppped eating his regular kibble, so I fed him baby food every 4 hours or so around the clock. He loved warm Gerbers chicken baby food. The more frequent feedings kept his sugar up and kept something in his tummy, to alleviate discomfort.
I know it can be frustrating when your little one refuses to eat.
Ferrets can be very stubborn. Do not give up Heather. Try just plain baby food, or other things that she might like. Even a little bit at a time will help. Just try to keep some food in her. I used to give my ferret unsweetened vanilla soy milk and he really loved it. Maybe you could try that. It it at least something with some nutrition, but make sure you get unsweatened. I used to give my ferret his meds with it too.
I wish you the best of luck for you little girl,
Tara