From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2007-03-31 19:32:06 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Blood Glucose checking question
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Andrea <brascoben@...> wrote:
>
> Hi everyone, I have a questions regarding the blood glucose tests that the vets do at
their offices.
>
> My 4 1/2 yo male, River, was diagnosed insulonomic at the beginning of February. His
results came back as 58. We are currently doing a chemo protocal on him, where he gets
his chemo every 3 wks, along with blood tests.
--------------
Treatment for ferrets with insulinoma is typically Prednisolone and at times also
Diazoxide.
Ferrets are not dogs or cats. Insulinoma is one of the things that they differ in.
Read and discuss these with your vets:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/insulinoma.pdf
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/insulinoma.htm
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/prednisone.htm
and past posts such as:
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG11618
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/SG9624
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/YG5925
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/Clin_Path/ClinPath.html
including (but notice the word errors where he accidently wrote "insulin" in a spot for
"glucose" and "ration" for "ratio"):
BEGIN QUOTE
Finally, one of the most commonly aberrant values in the chemical profile of the older
ferret is the blood glucose level. As insulinoma is the most common neoplasm of the
American ferret (interestingly, this is an uncommon disease in other parts of the world), a
recommendation for yearly evaluation of this parameter after the age of three appears
prudent. Ferrets with levels of insulin less than 80 g/dl should suggest a possibility of
insulinoma,, and levels between 60 and 80 necessitate further testing, to include a fasting
glucose test, and possibly, an amended insulin/glucose ration. (Absolute insulin
concentrations in this species may result in false negative findings). Ferrets with blood
glucose levels less than 60 g/dl, especially in the presence of clinical signs of lethargy and
stupor, should be considered candidates for surgery as soon as possible after
stabilization. In cases of hypoglycemia, elevated hepatic enzymes may result from
inanition and mobilization of peripheral fat stores. Contrary to published information, this
is not evidence of hepatic metastasis of insulinoma; in fact, metastasis of islet cell tumors
has not been documented in this species. As opposed to islet cell neoplasia in the dog and
cat, islet cell tumors in the ferret exhibit benign behavior and metastasis is not seen.
However, 40% of ferrets will develop additional neoplasms within 10 months. This
however, is not consistent with the definition of metastatic disease or malignant behavior.
END QUOTE
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