From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2005-11-02 21:07:06 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Insulinoma
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Hi,
The pred dosage described is a low to moderate one.
If that amount doesn't control the insulinoma symptoms
every vet I've worked with would opt for surgery in an
otherwise strong and healthy ferret. I've certainly
never heard that it's "controversial".
One thing I am certain of: I wouldn't let a vet who
isn't confident about insulinoma surgery do the
surgery on my ferret. I am not saying your vet isn't
brilliant in every other way. I just wouldn't let one
who thinks this surgery is "controversial" and will
only do it if pushed work on one of mine.
FWIW, I've had ferrets as old as eight have insulinoma
surgery. The younger the ferret and the sooner the
surgery is done the better the chance for longer term
benefit from the surgery. Here is my experience with
the results (an admittedly unscientific, small
sample):
1. Ker Avon, surgery at age three. Pred didn't work
for him at all so the surgery happened quickly after
diagnosis. He never had symptoms again and never
needed any medication for insulinoma again. His
surgery was probably curative. He died at age five
and a half from lymphoma in his spinal column.
2. Kodo, surgery at age seven and a half. Pred (up to
almost four times the dosage you report given twice a
day) didn't get his blood sugar up. Our vet did the
surgery as a last resort. He went just four months
until symptoms returned but a low dosage of pred was
sufficient to control his symptoms after that.
Lymphoma ended his life at age nine and a half.
3. Podo, surgery at age eight. Pred could control his
blood sugar but only at the cost of significant side
effects (severe diarrhea). His surgery, too, was a
last resort due to his age. He went 10 months
medication free and the rest of his life on a low dose
of pred. Lymphoma also got him at just about age 10.
4. Lady Ayeka, surgery at age six. Lady Ayeka's
symptoms were controlled by a low dose of prednisolone
for three and a half years. Since she needed a very
tiny dosage we didn't opt for surgery until that
stopped working. The surgery ended up being for a
left adrenal gland and for insulinoma. Sadly it also
revealed lymphoma (confirmed by biopsy). She was on
pred for lymphoma after that so I can't know how
effective the insulinoma surgery was. She certainly
never had insulinoma symptoms after that.
I know if I was in your place I would be looking at
surgery, but I have vets I trust to do it,
All the best,
Caity and the fantastic five
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