Message Number: FHL13762 | New FHL Archives Search
From: Caitlyn Martin
Date: 2011-08-05 18:59:34 UTC
Subject: Re: [ferrethealth] Re: Insulinoma...
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com

HI, Jilli, Melissa, and everyone else,

On 8/5/11, J Clark <weasleluv@yahoo.com> wrote:
> Here is my 2 cents on surgery for insulinoma. I had a 5 year female who was
> stable on her meds [...] I opted for surgery and I am happy to report she went back to her
> silly ways.

In the six ferrets of mine who have had insulinoma surgery over the
years, ranging in age from two and a half to eight at the time of
surgery, the results have always been what Jilli describes. The
surgery seems to rejuvenate them. They all returned to their old
habits and old levels of energy and playfulness. With the exception
of Lady Ayeka, who was diagnosed with lymphoma from a biopsy taken at the same time, all lived a minimum of two years after insulinoma
surgery. Fortunately I have yet to lose a ferret to insulinoma. The
other three who passed away all developed other conditions later in
life. Chin Soon and Zephyr, who had surgeries at ages five and a half
and seven and a half, respectively, are still here.

Our current vet believes that the best chance for a good outcome is to
do the surgery sooner rather than later. Our original vet believed
the life expectancy was the same either way and he only did surgery
when a moderate dose of prednisolone was no longer effective. I have
no idea which approach is really better. I will say that the two who
had surgeries which were curative had their surgery pretty quickly
after diagnosis. In Ker Avon, as I posted earlier, we had little
choice. In Chin Soon we were also dealing with adrenal disease which
made surgery the best option for her.

I think the reason my ferrets have had such good results comes down to
incredibly talented and skilled vets/surgeons. If I didn't have the
high level of confidence I do in the veterinary care my ferrets
receive I would be much more reticent about surgery. I should add the
insulinoma surgery is rarely curative but our current vet believes
that quick intervention increases the chances. I'm defining cure here
as more than two years with no symptoms, no meds, and measured normal
blood glucose.

In Fisher's case, where both adrenal and insulinoma are involved, and
assuming a thorough examination and blood work (CBC and chem panel)
find no other issues which make surgery too risky, I'd opt for surgery
if he was one of mine and could be taken to my ferrets' current vet.
That, of course, is a lot of "if's". I just know that if the surgery
went well the odds are in his favor in terms of a much improved
quality of life.

As always, YMMV, and please remember that I am not a vet. Anything I
post should be taken with a grain of salt.... no, make that a boulder
of salt, until confirmed by your vet.

All the best,
Caity and the dynamic duo
Zephyr and Chin Soon
(and yes, Zephyr really is dynamic again :)


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