From:
meryl faulkner
Date: 2006-09-16 19:41:33 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Diabetic Ferret
To: ferrethealth@smartgroups.com
In late 2002 my aging (7 yrs) ferret Jaws developed signs of
insulinoma. About two weeks post surgery (pancreatectomy - removal
of the major portion of the pancreas with the tumors) his blood sugar
became elevated, and he became diabetic. It is pretty rare to have
this happen according to the veterinarian since they leave part of
the pancreas, but apparently in Jaws' case the remaining pancreatic
cells did not produce enough insulin post surgery.
At that time the only insulin available was a human insulin
manufactured synthetically. We tried administering the Humulin N
daily, and I checked his sugar, and had the vet test him on a weekly
basis, but his blood sugar swung dramatically from a reasonable level
to very high and we could not successfully control his blood sugar..
He died (actually became so ill that I had him put to sleep) after a
couple of months. Like human diabetics he probably became very ill
from general organ failure.
I was told by a zoo veterinarian at the time that the human insulin
did not work well in cats, and the previously produced insulin from
pork or perhaps it was beef insulin was much more effective. However
these were taken off the market by the FDA when the synthetic human
form became available. There was supposed to be a way in which the
beef or pork insulin could be obtained for pet animals if special
ordered, but I did not look into it at the time since it was already
too late for Jaws. If anyone has any information about the pork or
beef insulin, (or a better protocol for the human form) that might be
the way to go as a treatment.
Meryl
[Moderator's Note: vets usually these days recommend PZI insulin for use in ferrets
according to the past vet posts from about 2004 to current date.]
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