From:
foster3500@alltel.net
Date: 2006-07-15 22:01:14 UTC
Subject: RE: [ferrethealth] RE: Help! Dying ferret?
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
Author wrote:
> I'm sorry I should have made myself clearer. I did not mean the
> advanced neurological signs. What I meant was about the stumbling. When
> a ferret starts to stumble even a little is when I notice that
> something's wrong. In my experiences with ferrets this has always been
> the first sign of insulinoma (other than lethargy).
> One reason I'm wondering if it may have something to do with his
> digestive system is because soon after he ate he went to sleep. Before
> he ate he was more active. Or maybe it's just a one time thing.
> Again, is the dramatic change literally overnight to again eating on
> his own indicative of insulinoma? I would think that it would be the
> same this morning as it had been for the past couple of days.
> Thank you,
> Sheryl
Sheryl,
Stumbling or staggering is one of the signs of insulinoma but may not be on=
e of the first signs. These usually are sleeping more, not wanting to eat,=
or play, play sessions shorter than usual, staring into space, rubbing the=
ir face with their paws are the signs we have observed before the our ferre=
ts ever start to stumble. Weakness in the rear end that can look like a mi=
ssed step and they bounce right back up is one of the beginning signs. Whe=
n they start stumbling a crash is usually not far behind. We have found th=
at if an adult ferret begins to sleep more than usual and quits playing as =
much it is a good idea to test. So far we are two for two. I don't know h=
ow much you know about insulinoma and certainly don't mean to lecture but t=
he islet cells in the pancreas do not always cause significantly large amou=
nts of insulin to be produced. They seem to cycle more heavily at times th=
an at others, this gives the impression that the ferret gets better than it=
will get sick again. Have a fasting glucose test done or get a glucose me=
ter and test him yourself to get a baseline. If you decide to get a glucom=
eter I would recommend a Freestyle Flash, it uses the smallest amount of bl=
ood of any meter I am familiar with.
Best of luck
Jim
=
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