From:
"Sukie Crandall"
Date: 2008-01-24 18:43:51 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Insulinoma in young ferret?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Shelter ferrets who are fully grown are often older than the
people who dump them say.
Yes, insulinoma has shown up that young.
Early insulinoma is OFTEN on again, off again.
There are already two found possible genetic vulnerabilities
that occur in some ferrets (how much of an effect they have
needs to be determined:
MEN (Multiple Endocrinological Neoplasia) variation
and
p53 which inhibits fighting tumors
Either lymphoma or carcinoma in the pancreas would
probably be looking even more serious by now but it
would not hurt to do a CBC and do a Chem Panel. Those
are rare.
If memory serves there is something else that was being
looked at as a possible alternative in a few rare ones but I
can't recall what.
This is a wonderful resource:
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/PDF/insulinoma.pdf
Sukie (not a vet)
Recommended ferret health links:
http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
http://ferrethealth.org/archive/
http://www.afip.org/ferrets/index.html
http://www.miamiferret.org/fhc/
http://www.ferretcongress.org/
http://www.trifl.org/index.shtml
http://homepage.mac.com/sukie/sukiesferretlinks.html
but
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Tressie" <tressiedu@...> wrote:
>
>
> My gib will be 2 years-old next month.
>
> A few weeks ago I rushed him to the vet because he was suddenly having
> trouble walking. By the time I got him there he was fine. I asked
> about possible Insulinoma because he's been more lethargic than normal
> the last couple of months including sleeping longer and more often. The
> vet check him over and said he seemed fine and that he was far too young
> to have Insulinoma.
>
> About six weeks ago he was laying in his hammock and drooling, at the
> time I took him to the vet but nothing was found to be wrong. This was
> my first sign.
>
> Earlier this week he was gagging and pawing at the mouth so I though
> possible obstruction and gave him some FerretLax - again he seemed fine
> after that and to date no recurrence of the gagging/pawing at the mouth.
> 2 nights ago I found him splayed out on the floor. His eyes were open
> but he was completely non-responsive. I picked him up and he was like a
> limp rag doll when I put him down he just collapsed on the floor. He
> also had some drool coming out of his mouth. I quickly got some honey
> and rubbed it into his gums and that revived him. I gave him some A/D
> after that. He seems fine now but I am keeping a close eye on him. I
> am taking him in on Monday for a glucose test (my vet is away at a
> conference until then).
>
> He is quite a big boy, almost 4 lbs and has not lost any weight (another
> symptom of Insulinoma).
>
> My questions are, given all of the symptoms and given his young age and
> no weight loss - is it still possible he could have Insulinoma? Is
> there anything else that would cause similar symptoms?
>
> My other question, is it possible that the glucose test on Monday will
> show normal levels? And if it does, is there something else going on or
> could it still be Insulinoma?
>
> He was a shelter ferret and as long as I have had him he has never been
> given any sugary treats. He has however, been given FerretLax, which I
> believe does have some sugar in it.
>
> I'd be grateful for any insight or suggestions.
>
> Tressie
>
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