From:
"Meryl Faulkner"
Date: 2008-11-07 04:41:37 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Ferret with normal bg but hind leg weakness (for the 2nd time in 5wks)
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Tony,
the reason I am so puzzled (worried)is that my vet clinic did get me
an Alphatrak blood glucose monitor at cost (for dogs and cats) which
seems to be a good monitor (they use it for the daily visits - I think
they use another more accurate device when they are running a panel).
I have been using a method described by someone on the list using a
lancet on the end of the ferret's tail. I initially had trouble
getting blood from a paw,so I hadn't been routinely testing until the
last few weeks, and now have found using the tail pretty easy. It
could be that a human monitor might be more accurate. Animal products
tend to be cheaper and not as accurate - I'm assuming
The problem I have is that the most recent bg today Thursday the 6th
was 127 mg per dl. Previous levels have been for Felicity 107 on
August 29 and 80 on October 2nd (when she had what we thought was a
back injury and could not walk). The control solution each time was
in the normal range - which was 108-162.The clinic has readings in the
80's two times. Could be this home monitor is just not that accurate I
guess. The techs say that its really not a monitor for ferret blood,
and I think the "range" for either cat or dog for the control
solution seems quite large. Maybe more frequent testing at the same
time of day would give more consistent results.
I keep forgetting to take mine over when I visit so that I can
calibrate it against their method - the techs have asked me the last
few visits and I've forgotten to bring it along.
I'm just puzzled/paranoid that these hind leg symptoms seem so far to
be extreme and intermittent. I've been feeding her chicken baby food
today and will continue with small feedings tomorrow to see if this
improves her symptoms.It just spooked me that her BG was seemingly
high (just above normal) today and her previous levels were lower.
Guess it could be she ate something before I did the stick today - she
was sleeping next to my bed and the food dish is right nearby. Will
have to wait until Saturday morning and see if anything shows up at
the clinic. I'll keep the list informed of what the veterinarian
thinks. Just hope she can figure out what the heck is wrong. Drat
these creatures - they weasel their way into your heart.
Meryl.
- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "Tony Clarke" <Tonytclarke@...> wrote:
>
> >
> In the early stages of insulinoma low blood glucose can be
> intermittent as the affected cells can produce spikes of insulin.
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