From:
sukiec@optonline.net
Date: 2005-08-22 21:55:06 UTC
Subject: RE: ill ferrit
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Message-ID: <2381723.1124747706049.JavaMail.root@thallium.smartgroups.com>
Usually when someone writes that a person can bet that a CBC with chemistry panel was not done. The most common cause for those symptoms is insulinoma, and what you describe sounds classic.
But you can't assume that it is insulinoma and just start treating because it could be other things including diabetes, so test first.
There WAS what looks like a myth that British ferrets don't get insulinoma. Why "looks like"? Because the more often UK vets test instead of assuming a neurological cause, the more often they find insulinoma.
Strokes have not been documented in ferrets, but some throw clots as complications to certain serious illnesses. This isn't a good match, though
There are other possible causes. Here are just two, but they also don't really seem to be as good a match as a blood glucose problem to me.
ADV, called hypergammaglobulinemia there as often as its called ADV, can have versions with neuro symptoms. The test is easy.
Meninigitis is a possibility but incredibly rare.
Etc.
So, test and please don't wait because a more severe response is possible.
If the ferret perks up when sugar syrup is placed on the gums during this sort of attack then it is virtually always insulinoma.
(BTW, sometimes conditions that are less responsive to treatment than insulinoma -- like lympho or carcinoma in the pancreas -- can occur. The two cases we have personally had like that presented suddenly and in life-threatening form, though, not with the short of small seizures you describe.)
Look at these general references:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/insulinoma.pdf
and
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/insulinoma.htm
Sukie (not a vet)
Ferret Health List co-moderator
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