From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2010-04-19 23:57:26 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: Pancreatitis
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I was advised that chronic pancreatitis can lead to pancreatic insufficiency if enough of
the pancreatic tissue is damaged and scar tissue forms. The insufficiency is what is treated with Viokase, not pancreatitis itself.
Pancreatitis itself is treated in a number of different ways, based on
the suspected cause of the pancreatitis. In Sadie's case treatment was primarily supportive.
She continued progressively losing weight (anorexic) until she was started on a combination B12/B-complex sub-q injections twice a week, which she is still receiving to this day. She began them in September 2009. She began gaining weight almost immediately and has maintained it.
In addition we were advised that diagnosis was dependent on the stage of pancreatitis. Combined elevations of lipase and amalyase are suggestive. An ultrasound by
someone very experienced in ferret ultrasounds was recommended as the most useful diagnostic, with surgical biopsy being the conclusive diagnostic test.
In addition we were advised that active pancreatitis usually causes high bood sugar. Chronic insufficency can cause hypoglycemia, but this is much less common -
unless there is both an insulinoma and pancreatitis concurrently and this was Sadie's case.
She never needed to go on Viokase.
She gets a full blood/chem panel done every few months to monitor her condition. Last one was done about a month ago and all levels were within normal range, with BG low normal.
Tressie
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, Caitlyn Martin <caitlynmmartin@...> wrote:
> At the time there were no test or pancreatitis in ferrets (not sure if
> that's still true) ...
>
------------------------------------
Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ferrethealth/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
ferrethealth-digest@yahoogroups.com
ferrethealth-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ferrethealth-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/