From:
"meryl"
Date: 2011-03-03 21:11:43 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Question about post pancreatic surgery, a diabetic ferret, and insulin
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
I have taken a look at the archives but have not seen any specific mention of insulin that is easily administered to ferrets. I have a ferret - Ferris 6yo who had a second surgery feb 28. He had surgery app.4yrs ago when I first received him as a 2yo rescue.Mainly adrenal surgery and did well. Think there were pancreatic nodules removed too. In the last few years his bg has dropped for the last 2 yrs and has been on prednisone (recently needed 5mg total daily to maintain bg of about 60-70).
After an ultrasound, it was decided to do another exploratory. His remaining partial adrenal was slightly enlarged. He came though the surgical procedure well -- the veterinarian removed a few good size pancreatic nodules but everything else looked good. His bg was in the 400's on Tuesday am, 251 Tuesday night, and I had 350 Wednesday am. At the vet Wednesday I took him in for sc fluids and today to help with the bg. Today, both my Alphatrak and theirs said "high" this am.
He's kind of slow still, but moving around,pooping and peeing, have not seen him eat a lot of kibble in his cage but offer chicken baby food 2-3 times a day. Today on his daily visit his abdomen is still somewhat swollen, she tried withdrawing some fluid, but she only withdrew a few cs. His temp was high on Tuesday am so he was started on Keflex and his temp has dropped to slightly above normal. My vet thinks pancreatitis, but having read some posts in the archives it seems that ferrets who have a second surgery seem prone to diabetes which is difficult to control. My vet says there is a two week period(and I have read that also on some recent FHL posts)during which the pancreas "kicks in" and starts working - and not to panic. However I noticed in one of the archived posts that there might be a "suppression" of the pancreatic cells function because of (may have got this wrong)because of the pred use or the tumors. If his insulin levels stay low, and his bg stays high, presum
ably like humans he will eventually have organ damage. My veterinarian says it is difficult using current insulin to administer the right dose for a ferret. In a worst case scenario, does anyone have experience of particular insulin products that can be administered to ferrets? Presumable fluids help by lowering the bg just by dilution? He's moving around but not lively, but surgery was only a few days ago. He's still eating which is a blessing, so no gastric issues.
Meryl
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