From:
"Chris Jones"
Date: 2005-12-15 03:59:04 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] adrenal and insulinoma
To: <ferrethealth@smartgroups.com>
There was a post from a couple of years ago regarding incidence of adrenal problems: I have owned ferrets for 10 years, 11 ferrets in all, 6 currently all doing really well ranging from 2 to 9. I have lost 5 ferrets to date, 2 to complications of adrenal before I understood how to treat it. 2 of my ferrets are currently living with adrenal problems and very well managed symptoms. I will admit I have not kept track of the costs of my ferrets medical care, but I joke with my vet about when they build their new wing it needs to be named after me or Tasha. Tasha has cost me several thousand I am sure. I have also lost ferrets to spinal tumor and spinal meningitis. ECE almost took one of my ferrets, but he bounced back after several thousand in care and lots of sub fluids and hand feeding. Ferrets are costly but worth it in my opinion but not for those unable to pay for often expensive medical care. I often talk people out of buying ferrets because of the medical costs and the need for ferret proofing and supervision. I work with people on fixed income and I tell them that the long term costs of owning ferrets far outweighs the initial outlay of the ferret, cage and food.
I have never had a ferret with insulinoma, so I am inexperienced. I have emailed about Tasha who is 9 years old and she is recovering very nicely from her recent bout with pneumonia, however I have noticed wobbly gait and sometimes she falls over. She takes little pauses like she is going to nap in the middle of the floor. I have read a little about insulinoma and am wondering if this is possible. Is it diagnosed by blood tests? what is the usual treatment? I recall my vet indicating slight dehydration. I need to check with my vet regarding the blood test results because he indicated something about slightly elevated liver enzymes. I honestly can't recall him saying anything about blood sugar levels. My first inclination of course was to think she is very old for a ferret and dodderiness is probably understandable, however again, I have never had a ferret live past 7. Toby is the longest a ferret of mine ever lived before Tasha and he could not use his back legs due to a back injury and he had adrenal problems.
Thanks, Kathleen
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