From:
Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2011-01-30 00:00:26 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Insulin for Diabetes
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
Hi, Andrea, and eveyrone else,
Every ferret of mine who has had insulinoma surgery has had diabetes
afterwards. It usually goes away quickly. For Chin Soon it lasted
two weeks, which is the longest I've seen. Chin Soon had consistent
readings in the 300s and 400s and her vet put her on glargine insulin
(Lantus). Eventually her blood glucose dropped below normal and we
took her off insulin. Since then, about 20 months all told, her blood
glucose has been normal. While she was on glargine insulin we did not
see the sort of wild swings you describe. I use a Freestyle Lite
glucometer.
I actually talked about this with our vet since Zephyr, who had
insulinoma surgery on Monday, is diabetic now. Her blood glucose has
ranged from 199-287, with a reading of 213 earlier today. Our vet did
say that if she gets over 280 again or if she stays over 250 we may
have to consider insulin for her as well.
Our vet also mentioned that some ferrets are insulin dependent for the
rest of their lives but that some do very well on it. After 8 weeks
it seems like your 6 year old may be in that category.
One other thing our vet has stressed is that high blood glucose can
cause dehydration. Make sure your little girl is getting plenty of
liquids. Our vet also mentioned getting urine sticks to determine if
Zephyr was eliminating glucose in her urine if her blood glucose goes
up again.
The usual disclaimer applies: I am not a vet. I haven't even played
one on TV. I just have dealt with a few of the issues you are dealing
with and have talked about them with a good ferret vet.
Good luck to you and your little one.
All the best,
Caity and the dynamic duo
Zephyr and Chin Soon
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