From:
"clfixico"
Date: 2009-06-19 05:21:42 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Diabetes, cancer, or both?
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I wrote in awhile back about my ferret Sunni who appeared having abdominal distention awhile back. Blood work, radiographs were fairly inconclusive (a *possible* mass was seen, but couldn't be sure. Ultrasound also showed that, but the vet was not sure exactly what it might be as she's also not as experienced with ferrets and ultrasound). I mentioned that she seemed to have a really voracious appetite. Shortly after this post, her weight just started increasing dramatically, and so did the size of her lymph nodes (the vet was initially unable to find anything unusual in an aspirate of one of the nodes). Due to her rapid decline, I decided against further workup and chemotherapy and my vet suggested oral prednisone.
It seemed to help a little at first, but then it did not seem to be making a difference. I noticed more and more how much she was drinking, eating, and urinating. It became obviously abnormal. The pred. was decreased, and discontinued.
It has been about 2 weeks since the pred. was completely discontinued and the symptoms have not subsided. So her blood sugar was taken today and it was over 400 (unfortunately unable to obtain urine sample at the time--the amount of fat she has and the frequency of her urination make it difficult to palpate a bladder).
Would a malignant pancreatic tumor be likely to cause something like this? Could it just be that diabetes was the initial problem and went out of control after putting her on pred (or could it be transient diabetes?)? Has anyone seen similar things--I have had one other ferret in the past with diabetes and it took him quickly. He also gained a lot of weight.
I read a post where 'glargine' insulin was being used--what is this? We are going to try 0.1 unit NPH insulin twice daily to see if it will help. Regardless of whether it's diabetes, cancer, etc. I just want to keep her as comfortable as possible for as long as we can. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Christine
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